Okwe Obi, Abuja
President of Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Emmanuel Wike, has said the directive by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) that landlords and agents should charge 6per cent stamp duty will be a great burden on tenants.
Wike, who addressed newsmen yesterday while inspecting NIESV’s permanent building with his team in Abuja, noted that institution would look at the directive from the legal, professional point of view and come up with a position.
“The institution is looking at it. We have the presidential advisory committee which we just formed. We will hand over the matter to it. We have the legal committee that will look at it. We will look at the legal and professional sides. As a person, it is going to be a very big burden for tenants,” he said.
Speaking on the 5-storey building which is at the verge of completion, he urged members, not to relent in their contribution to facilitate the completion of the edifice, as it would shore up revenue for the organisation.
He extended the plead to state government and corporations, to invest in the project as their names would be engraved on it for life.
“I want to thank members of the Nigerian Institution Surveyors and Valuers for their support in building the office and our past presidents especially Ajayi, who was the 22nd president and did the groundbreaking of this site with the support of council.
“It is very exciting that we have roof the structure. It is not a personal project but that of the institution. I have donated N5 million to show good examples and for charity to begin at home.
“In the next 2 to 3 weeks, I am going to redeem my pledge. I have already donated N300,000 before. Our target is that before the end of this administration in 2022, we should move in. I know that out members are capable. The idea is to invite our friends, corporate organisations as an investment opportunity to key in because we will name each floor after them. It is going to impact on the industry.