The Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, says the goal of his administration is to reposition Abia where businesses, and excellence can thrive

The Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, says the goal of his administration is to reposition Abia where businesses, and excellence can thrive.

Governor Otti, who stated this during the 56th Annual Conference of the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors And Valuers (NIESV) at the International Conference Centre Umuahia, noted that the selection of Abia state as the host for this year’s Conference shows honour and recognition of the ongoing efforts to create enabling environment for professional excellence and economic growth in the State.

The Governor, represented by his Deputy Chief, Ikechukwu Emetu, also said that such Conferences will continue to stimulate demand for quality infrastructure and showcase the vast opportunities that exist within the state.

He maintained that Estate Surveyors and Valuers remain key critical stakeholders in shaping the physical, economic and social landscapes ranging from Land administration and property valuation to urban planning support and investment advisory and promised deeper collaboration with the Association.

In his welcome address, the President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Mr. Victor Alonge while expressing his gratitude to Governor Otti, emphasized that his dynamic leadership and purposeful governance of Abia has opened up the landscape to attract investments, infrastructure development, strengthened the economy and enabled the government to develop quality services which have impacted the lives of the citizens.

Also in her address, the State Chairman, NIESV, Uche Ikoro, said that the 2026 NIESV Conference in the state aims to challenge Estate Surveyors and Valuers to have a rethink on how to plan, value and develop real estate within the contest of expanding infrastructure and evolving economic realities.

Earlier in his keynote address, the Professor of Smart and Sustainable Built Environments, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, Professor, Bankole Awuzie, noted that development corridors are understood as evolving territorial development systems in which routes, gateways, logistics, hubs, and governance arrangements interact to recognize mobility, accessibility, investment and land value.

Top government functionaries including, the Commissioner for Lands, Mr Chaka Chukwumerije, Members of Council, Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers among others were present during the event.