The Nation Newspaper

Category: Building & Properties

  • Making Lagos environment clean

    Making Lagos environment clean

    Globally, the preservation of the environment is garnering more attention, especially with the reality of the effects of climate change. In Lagos State, the ‘Mega City’ status has further put pressure on the government to take extra measures to ensure that the environment remains safe for human habitation. This is why the state is investing heavily in environmentally-friendly projects to ensure its continued existence and survival of her citizens. But how far can these efforts go? MUYIWA LUCAS asks .

    The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, is a self-effacing man. But given the quantum of the task, Adejare has had to push aggresively in the efforts to secure both the environment and the citizens.

    “Let us not deceive ourselves. Our state is over 25 million in population. This presupposes that we cannot continue to fold our arms and watch things go wrong in our environment.That is why this present administration is investing heavily in environmentally friendly projects that can make our people safe,” Adejare said last Monday at his monthly interaction with the media.

    According to the Commissioner, in the last two months, the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration has pursued with vigour its policy on cleaner and sustainable environment through dogged application of its all-year round de-flooding programme, unwavering commitment to the removal of all environmental infractions and nuisances across the state and steady pursuit of an aesthetically appealing state.

     

    Water provision

    According to a report by the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, entitled, “Lagos Water Crisis: Alternative Roadmap for Efficient Water Sector,” the State’s Water Supply Master plan puts the daily water demand in the state at 540 million gallons per day (MGD), while production by the Lagos State Water Corporation (LSWC) stands at 210 MGD. The report however noted that the LSWC website put total production capacity at 163 MGD. By 2020, it noted, water demand is expected to reach 733 MGD in the state.

    Adejare explained that the administration is aware of the water situation in the state. To this end, he said the state has embarked on the construction of more water plants, such as the Adiyan II. Besides, he said  State Executive Council (SEC) has approved the construction of the Odomola II water plant, which on completion will serve Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah, and environs.  The project will be handled by Messers Bryo Nigeria Limited.

    Indeed, the Commissioner boasts that water supply  is being given a new lease of life as most of the state’s waterworks, such as Ishasi, Adiyan and Iju produce and supply uninterrupted water to Lagosians upon the repairs of equipment and restoration of power supply. And to find lasting solution to billing problems, the LSWC carried out and completed the verification  of its customers at Ikeja I and Ikeja II. While the result of this exercise is being awaited, it will soon be extended to other parts of Lagos metropolis.

     

    Huge Cost / PPP

    Although he declined to disclose the cost of the Odomola project, Adejare, however, revealed that the Adiyan II water project, which was initially estimated to cost N54 billion, has jumped to over N60 billion due to the foreign exchange rate.

    At N60 billion, Adejare further explained, it becomes rather burdensome for the state to shoulder the financing alone. This is why the state is partnering with private concerns to execute water plant projects across the state.

    “We are not privatising the LSWC, notwithstanding that there are challenges. The private concerns that have partnered with us will charge moderate fees for their services which will not inconvenience the citizens. At present, we charge five kobo per litre of water and this is not even sustainable. At this rate, the LSWC cannot even generate enough to pay its own salaries,” Adejare explained, stressing that if the government did not seek private partnerships for its water plants, the entire budget would be spent on such alone. He is right considering that the Adiyan II water plant, which is not even enough to sustain one-third of the population, is costing about 10 per cent of the state’s budget.

     

    Waste management

    Adejare revealed a greater plan for waste management and control in the state. For instance, he said the state is now redefining solid waste management, which will ensure that such wastes are bailed and sold, leading to extra revenue for the state. The Commissioner pointed out that waste management would take a new dimension in the state as from 2017. “We are reforming waste management; we are no longer going to do it the way we are used to. By the time we do this, environmental infractions would have reduced,” he assured.

    Besides, he said that in line with the ministry’s mandate on waste water management, the scheduled maintenance of government-owned Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) which are Abesan Low Cost Housing Estate; Oke-Afa Low Cost Housing Estate; Iponri Low Cost housing Estate; and the Secretariat, Alausa have been done.

    Besides, a total of 224 wastewater haulage trucks have been registered, while three septage discharge points – Oregun, Ojota and Amuwo-Odofin, have been registered for  the yearly monitoring of activities.

     

    Waste statistics

    A breakdown of the volume of waste evacuated in the Central, Western and Eastern parts of the state as at last September, stood at 12,303.50; 8,811.50; and 18,375.50. Similarly, the statistics of refuse deposited at various landfill sites last September (in Metric Tons), are: Olushosun – 150,307.00; Solous III – 30,134.20; Ewu Elepe – 11,180.00; Epe – 9.970; Simpson Transfer Loading Station (TLS) – 7,183.00; and Agege TLS – 2,016.90. Oshodi TLS is undergoing repairs and maintenance.

    Also, the Commissioner disclosed that 351 PSP Operators serviced 367 wards in 20 Local Government Councils and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state during the period under review. Besides, he revealed that 460, 523 recyclable materials were collected from the buy-back centre and recycling banks. The breakdown is as follows: 103,684 Cartons; 46,949 Cans; 184,714 Pet Bottles; 1,284 Bottles; 108,316 LDPE sachets; and 15,576 Paper.

    Through the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA), the state engaged a total of 60 ad-hoc staff to clean 13 major water bodies in the state, while a total of 333 Service Providers with 5,500 employees (Street Sweepers) were supervised during the month for highway sanitation.

    Others

    While re-stating the policy of the state government on cleaner and sustainable environment, the commissioner said government was committed to the removal of all environmental infractions and would not relent in bringing about a sustainable environment as well as a livable state to enhance aesthetically beautiful state.  Adejare said the commitment of the government to greening the environment, saying over 800 trees, including 700 coconuts have been planted along Lekki Epe Expressway and another 100 trees at Orile Agege LCDA.

    The Environment Commissioner said that government is poised to control and eradicate diseases such as Lasa fever and malaria through the kicking off of the vector control programme.

    “To control vector-borne diseases such as Lasa fever and malaria, we have flagged off the vector control programme through which we will be delivering effective “deratisation” of markets and adjoining streets in the state with the use of time tested technology,” he said.

    Adejare said the Department of Drainage Services, the Emergency Flood Abatement Gangs and the Drain Ducks have been working round the clock to keep most of the state’s drainage channels flowing. Consequently, collectors and channels have been cleared, seven new ones constructed and reconstructed, while six channels were desilted. He maintained that the “Operation Clean Lagos,” otherwise known as “IBILE”, covering the five divisions of the state, is a manifestation of the fact that the state’s administration will not relent in bringing about a sustainable environment as well as a livable state.

    Given the above efforts, it may well be a new dawn for Lagos environment. But time will tell.

  • Lagos family seeks govt intervention on landed property

    The Oyemade Royal Family of Ijeshatedo, Lekki, has asked the Lagos State Government to be cautious in granting consent to prospective applicants wishing to transact and carry out any form of development on the family land in Lekki, Lagos.

    Head of the family, Otunba Babatunde Rahman, told reporters at the weekend that the plea being made to the government was informed by the presence of persons and organisations wanting to carry out development on their land with out their consent and authorisation.

    Rahman claimed that the family, under the aegis of Oyetubo Joko-Tade Estate Resources Limited, has petitioned the Lagos State Government asking for its intervention in what it described as ‘unauthorised dealings’ on their land. The said land, he claimed, was acquired during the General Mobolaji Johnson (rtd.) regime in 1972 and covered by a Certificate of Occupancy registered as 75/75/1996AE, by an estate agent whose service they had dispensed with.

    In a letter to the Registrar of Titles, Lands Bureau, Alausa, Ikeja dated October 17, 2016, the holding company owned by the Oyemade Royal Family formally informed the state government that it had disengaged the services of the estate agent (names withheld) formerly granted the power of attorney over their land  in Sangotedo, along Lekki/Epe road in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state.

    The letter was titled: “Embargo on the grant of consent to prospective applicants on Oyetubo Joko-Tade Estate Resources Limited covered by a Certificate of Occupancy registered as 75/75/1996AE situate at Sangotedo by Monastry Road, Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos State” and signed by director of the company, Otunba Babatunde Rahman  and five shareholders viz Chief Muka Bajulaiye, Alhaja Ajimot Ashaku Adisa, Chief Adelaja Nureni, Mrs Racheal Tokede and Mr. Saliu Tajudeen.

    They urged government to deal only with the accredited representatives of the family made up of the chairman and the appointed shareholders who are representatives of  the different branches of the family in the company in respect to all transactions relating to any part of the company’s 201 hectares of land.

    The family explained that it took this decision because it has been having a running battle with the person initially granted power of attorney over mismanagement of proceeds of sale of the company’s land located at Sangotedo area of Lagos and as a result of which they have commenced a legal action to recover their funds.

    The letter written to the Registrar of Titles further stated in part: “We as director and shareholders ( being members of the three branches of the family that make up the three classes of the shareholders) of Oyetubo Joko Tade Estate Resources Limited, write to inform the Bureau as follows; “That Oyetubo Joko-Tade Estate Resources Limited is the bonafide and beneficial owner of the large expanse of land situated at Sangotedo Area of Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos State and covered by a certificate of occupancy registered as 75/75/1996AE”.

  • Bureau automates land documentation

    Determined to ease the challenge associated with land processing, the Lagos State Lands’ Bureau has introduced a new procedure. The Integrated Land Administration and Automation System is meant to shorten  procedure for land allocation and administration.

    The new process will allow intending clients of the Bureau to submit applications on-line. This system will take about 18 months to begin after full installation of equipment that will drive the process.

    The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Lands’ Bureau, Governor’s Office, Mr. Bode Agoro, explained that automation of the system  became necessary because of delays caused by manual operation.              ‘’No matter how you structure your administration using manual processes, you cannot have maximum productivity,’’ Agoro said. He explained part of the benefit to include allowing the bureau to create a secondary market whereby titles issued by the lands bureau can be guaranteed, that is, the bureau would partner with insurance companies to guarantee the title and trade with it as if trading in shares. A quality control unit to block all leakages has also been set up; this will help to improve service delivery especially in the area of double allocation.

    On the issue of encroachment on land due to the activities of land grabbers, government, he explained, has responded by enacting a law against the practice and a taskforce has been set up to carry out its implementation. The Act prescribes a jail term for violators of the law. He, therefore, advised interested land buyers to always request for a survey plan before buying any property and come to the office of the Surveyor-General to confirm its authenticity.

    Agoro admitted that the recession affecting the bureau, stating that since the recession the volume of application  has dropped compared to when the country was not in recession, and what the bureau is  doing now is to speed up the processes and make it faster so as to attract more customers.

    The bureau, he further explained, has been carrying out various programmes discreetly, results of which he claimed “speaks for the bureau.”

    ‘’We are doing a lot of work in the background, we are putting a lot of changes and those changes have been yielding positive results. They have been able to weed out a lot of unscrupulous practices and officers that are not able to meet up with the demands have been shown the way out and the remaining ones have been engaged in training and orientation,” he said, adding that he is leading by example.

    Agoro said the orientation of the staff has changed. He charged all staff of the bureau to treat every client politely. For this purpose, he explained that the office of Public Relations & Complain was established.

  • NSE: Housing key to ending recession

    For the country to overcome its present economic problem, there is  need for a strong and viable housing sector. Based on this conviction, the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has urged the Federal Government to pay more attention to the housing industry, given its potentials and capacity to help in revamping the economy.

    The President, NSE, Mr. Otis Anyaeji, made this known at a World Press Conference held by the body in Abuja, recently.

    According to him, trends in developed countries have buttressed the argument that a nation cannot be or remain in recession if the housing sector remains strong. This, he explained, is because the housing industry has a powerful multiplier effect on the rest of the economy like steel, wood, cement, paint, aluminium, glass, plastics, cables, piping, sand, quarry stones, roofing sheets, electricity, water, etc, and the gains are best maximised if these products are manufactured locally. He also urged government to reject the option of developing housing through continued importation of materials, but rather insist on local manufacturing.

    Reacting to series of building collapse in the country, Anyaeji disclosed that soil investigation and complying with test results from the exercise, was a major parameter in preventing failure of engineering facilities like roads, buildings, bridges, etc. He faulted the National Building Code for not paying much attention to this aspect of construction.

    “Given the frequency of building collapse in Nigeria, the government needs to support getting soil investigation done on every engineered land improvement project and ensure that standards are adhered to strictly across all facets of construction activities,” Anyaeji said.

    The NSE President also charged President Muhammadu Buhari to recognise that the next two and half years have to be a revolutionary period in government and also business. He said the President has to believe in, and tap into the capacity of Nigerians and Nigeria for rebirth and renewal as already witnessed in the entertainment, communications, banking and other industries.

    While urging the government to focus attention on manufacturing, the housing sector, transportation, petrochemicals as well as the textile industry, the body also stated that for the sake of performance and quality service delivery, President Buhari should constitute his cabinet with 60 per cent technocrats and 40 per cent politicians.

    “Engineers strongly recommend to the President to depoliticise the selection process and demystify the Senate screening exercise by attaching portfolios to those nominated for ministerial appointments before screening,” Anyaeji said.

  • ‘Real estate is secret to wealth creation in recession’

    Nigerians seeking wealth need not look too far. This is because the real estate industry provides the secret to wealth creation for those that can key into it. Besides, the sector is the most viable to get the country out of its present recession, if the right things are done.

    These were the views of real estate consultants at a home ownership empowerment programme organised by Pertinence Nigeria Limited- a firm of real estate managers. Renowned realtor, Mr. Olumide Emmanuel, in an exclusive chat with The Nation, explained that for an individual to get to his desired financial destination, the right vehicle must be chosen.

    “The real estate is the secret to wealth creation. We want people to understand that getting to the desired financial destination requires choosing the right vehicle; and one of the best vehicles you can choose is real estate and that’s what we are pushing down today: the power of real estate,” he said.

    Emmanuel advised Nigerians on the need for a change in their mindset to overcome the challenges of recession. According to him, there is a need to understand the concept of recession and how it affects the individual. This, he explained, is because in spite of the recession, people still earn same salary and income, just that the value is lower.

    “The value of what your money can give you in the market is reducing because of the vehicle you choose. You choose the vehicle of salary, somebody else chooses the vehicle of real estate. Now, at times like these, realtors and landlords increase their rent, meaning tenants suffer more and then they enjoy more. So it’s all a function of understanding that what the economy of your geographical location is; it does not have to affect you if you have the financial intelligence and you know how to navigate your way,” he explained.

    In similar vein, the Founder of Pertinence Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olorunseyi  Sunday, agreed that real estate is the solution to Nigeria’s recession problems, saying that recession is a thing of the mind that could be overcome through a change in the mindset.

    Sunday, who spoke at the launch of his firm’s “International Business Mega Summit,”  said: “Everything in life is about mentality, it is your mindset. For us, our mindset cannot accommodate recession even though they say there is recession. An entrepreneur should thrive in all seasons. He does not see a dry season. What you look at is how can I take advantage of that season? And that’s what we are doing now.”

    Co-Founder and Managing Director of the organisation, Mr. Wisdom Ezekiel, also pointed out the opportunity his organisation sees in recession.

    “We see recession as an opportunity. A lot of people see recession as a drawback but we see it as an opportunity because most countries in the world that have become developed today thrived during recession. Recession helps people to start thinking outside the box and that is what it is helping us to do in Nigeria,” he said.

    He said recession is actually an advantage if properly managed by all. He explained that when there is recession, people want to invest in something that is tangible- in asset not liability.  This, he said, is why real estate will continue to thrive and provide a bailout for the country’s economy at this period.

    Ezekiel noted that the launch of the firm’s international presence is a way of contributing to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. He, therefore, called for government’s partnership in the real estate industry in order to spur its growth and contribution to the economic development.

    To stimulate the market and encourage people to invest even at this time, the firm gave out free plots of land, an all-expense paid trip to Dubai and a two bedroom apartment to loyal customers.

    “We are giving because when you give in times of recession, when people have plenty, they will remember you and they would want to come to you; because when they had nothing, you were out there supporting them. So that is the strategy… when seasons like this come, innovation will be what will make you different,” he said.

  • Guinness builds water facility in Benue community

    Guinness Nigeria PLC has constructed a solar-powered water facility in Tyowanye community in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.

    This is one of three major water schemes by the company this year, which Guiness built with its non-governmental organisation (NGO) partners. It is the 35th project under the firm’s Water of Life initiative.

    The project was executed with OXFAM, an international NGO determined to change the world by mobilising the people against poverty.

    At the handing over, Guinness Nigeria Managing Director, Mr. Peter Ndegwa, restated the company’s commitment to initiatives that would improve access to safe water, saying his firm would continue to play a leading role in promoting safe water in the country.

    He said since 2007, the company had embarked on the Water for Life Programme, which has provided over 10 million people in 18 countries across Africa with access to potable water.

    “We have invested in sustainable technologies that help us to manage our water use. The construction of the Tyowanye motorised solar-powered water scheme is in furtherance of our efforts to help more Nigerians access clean drinking water. Our desire is that by improving access to safe drinking water, we can assist the people of Tyowanye community improve their overall well-being,” Ndegwa said.

    Benue State Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom expressed praised the new water scheme. He said the water facility would support the state government’s drive to improve health and hygiene for the state indigenes.

    “As we know, water is life, so he who brings water brings life. Guinness Nigeria has brought ‘life’ to this community through this project and we are very grateful for this intervention,’’ Ortom said.

    He urged the community to protect the investment and use it judiciously to ensure its continued sustainability. He also said the state government would be delighted to further partner with Guinness Nigeria in agriculture where the state, known as the food basket of the nation is able to provide all the agricultural inputs Guinness Nigeria requires in its operations.

    The Tyowanye Water Scheme,   unveiled by Ortom and Ndegwa, comprises two solar-powered boreholes and two blocks of VIP toilets; it will benefit over 10,000 people in  the community.

  • Lekki Gardens unveils new structure

    Lekki Gardens unveils new structure

    After six months of strategic appraisal of its operations, Lekki Gardens Estate Limited has engaged the services of top-notch consultants and contractors in the construction value chain to oversee its construction across its project sites, and to ensure delivery of quality and affordable housing to its client.

    Its Managing Director/Chief Excutive Officer (CEO), Richard Nyong, said the company embarked on strategic overhauling to enable it deliver better housing.

    “In the last six months, we have taken time to review and strengthen our technical structure; today, Lekki Gardens now boasts of a solid technical team with qualified and experienced professionals to deliver a world-class housing experience to our clients.

    “We also now work with the ‘best in class’ among building and construction consultants and contractors in Nigeria,” he said.

    Nyong announced the appointment of Andrew Jibunor, a building and construction expert, whose professional career spans over two decades as the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) for Lekki Gardens, adding that the company had made key appointments in other departments of the company, as well.

    He explained that while work had started on some of Lekki Gardens’ sites, construction would commence fully by the end of the month. He appealed to the firm’s clients for understanding, saying the delay in delivery of their houses was caused by the restructuring aimed at delivering world-class quality housing.

    While assuring clients and stakeholders in the company of the safety of their investment, as well as its value appreciation in spite of the economic downtown, Nyong pointed out that despite the temporary setback, the company remains economically viable and liquid without any form of indebtedness to any bank. He revealed that the accounts of the company have been audited and certified satisfactory by Ernst &Young, a global auditing firm.

    Jibunor listed part of the restructuring to include Quality Management, Planning  and Coordination, as well as Health, Environment and Safety checks, saying this was in line with global best practices.

    His words: “In line with the mandate of the technical team, we are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring best quality standards at every stage of the building process. Our new process ensures that every project passes through a more rigorous procedure of monitoring, supervision and approval to ensure that we deliver a unique housing experience for our clients.”

    He said the new technical team had introduced a new health, safety and environment regime,  stressing it is mandatory for all Lekki Gardens facilities, workers and contractors, saying that this had incorporated the implementation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Signages, training and deployment of safety representatives/officers across sites as well as safety induction for  visitors.

    In ensuring a technically sound building and construction, he added that the technical team has carried out a condition survey for sites, building and structures to ensure the quality of work in terms of existing design information appraisal, visual appraisals and inspections as well as other appraisals like soil tests/CPT, NDT, pile loads, perimeter survey, confirmation of topographical and spot levels and mechanical and electrical installation and integrity tests.

    Jibunor added that the new technical team has integrated the use of information technology in their systems with the introduction of the Builders’Trend to provide a bird’s eye-view of their projects on one mobile platform for stakeholders. The builders’ trend communication platform equips the company’s stakeholders, marketers and subscribers, with the tracking mode and follow-ups as well as updates on ongoing projects.

    Earlier, the Lagos State government had unsealed the construction sites belonging to Lekki Gardens. However, the firm opted to delay its recommencement of work until it was able to conduct a self-appraisal by taking a cursory look at  its projects, revisiting technical details, such as soil test, building designs and fixing any identified issues to ensure better housing delivery.

  • ‘Establish centres to monitor earthquakes’

    Following the tremor that recently occurred in some parts of  Oyo, Bayelsa, Rivers and Kaduna states, a group, the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), has lent its voice to calls for the establishment of more seismological stations to monitor crustal movements in the identified earthquake-prone areas in the country.

    The group urged the government to invest in earthquake electromagnetic precursors monitoring devices to avert future earthquakes.

    The group, in a statement, recalled that about a year ago, it drew the attention of the government to the possibility of an earthquake;  advising it to reduce the spate of substandard building construction through vigilant monitoring.

    The statement signed by its National President, Kunle Awobodu and National Publicity Secretary, George Akinola, said a nation without an effective national building code would end up in ruins if an earthquake occurred, noting that the enforcement of building regulations without compromise would prevent serious calamity in the future.

    It explained that vibrations accompanying the earth tremors in the affected areas resulted in the collapse of mud houses and infliction of visible cracks in modern buildings within the affected areas.

    This development, it observed,  ossified the harbinger on the possibility of the country having an  earthquake induced-disaster in the near future.

    “The perception that Nigeria is safe or far from the seismic active regions is no longer tenable. Shaki in Oyo State has been subjected to intermittent earth tremors this year and climaxed in the first week of June 2016. Communities in Bayelsa and Rivers states on July 10, 2016 had a similar experience, but in this case due to prolonged effect of oil exploration,” the Guild said, adding that earth tremors have occurred in the country in 1933, 1939, 1964, 1984,1990, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2009 and 2016. It, however, said a series of earth tremors might not necessarily lead to high intensity earthquake.

    The guild explained that a study  by Dr. Adepelumi Abraham of the Department of Geology, Obafemi  Awolowo University (OAU), Ile- Ife, showed that after the tremor of 2009 in the Southwest, the probability of earthquake occurrence in the study area between the year 2009 and 2028 had increased from 2.8 per cent to 91.1 per cent.

    The group, therefore, urged investors in buildings to be concerned about the durability of the buildings they are funding, warning that in earthquake, substandard buildings had been the major cause of high death toll. It regretted that there is no National Building Code in existence in the country.

    It warned that Nigeria could not afford to repeat the mistake of Haiti and Nepal, where stringent building regulations are lacking, thereby aggravating the effects of earthquakes on buildings.

  • Fashola raises panel to restructure FHA

    Fashola raises panel to restructure FHA

    Power, Works and Housing Minister Mr. Babatunde Fashola has set up an ad-hoc committee to review the re-structuring and commercialisation of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).

    Fashola urged the committee to review the FHA Restructuring and Commercialisation/Housing Sector implementation Framework presented to him at a meeting with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

    BPE’s Director of National Facilities and Agricultural Resources Mr. Yunana Jackdell Malo, in the letter convening the committee meeting, said the panel would entertain concerns, issues and recommendations which might form the basis of a revised implementation framework for FHA’s restructuring and commercialisation.

    A document obtained by The Nation listed the committee’s terms of reference to include: distilling the new reform vision for the housing sector as articulated by the Minister; review the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) approved implementation framework to better align it with the minister’s policy direction and objectives for the housing sector; review aspects of the various work streams in the implementation framework to ensure that they are fit for purpose and revisit key elements of the restructuring and commercialisation strategy,  and to make recommendations on how they could be better implemented, particularly with regards to new housing policy and skills mix, property audit and the privatisation of FHA Mortgage Bank.

    Others include reviewing the possibility of implementing the NCP approved strategy without necessarily repealing the FHA Act and be guided by legal advice in that regard; review the relevant aspects of the on-going housing sector reforms and make necessary recommendations, particularly with respect to the setting up of a regulatory regime and how FHA can play an effective role in a regulated and liberalised housing sector.

    The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Abu Gusau Magaji, has urged FHA workers not to entertain fears of losing their jobs.

    Speaking at a meeting with the Authority’s management, he explained that rather than job losses, the planned process would throw up more vacancies through the expected expansion of the Authority’s capacity to become an efficient, modern and profitable venture.

    Magaji said the need for a review of the previous reform document generated by the BPE arose because it had become necessary to align it with the vision and policies of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for the sector.

    He said the exercise would be conducted on the basis of existing presidential approval, adding that both the Ministry and the Authority were being accommodated in the development of work streams that would lead to the emergence of a new FHA.

    Members of the committee are Yunana J. Malo – Sector Director/Co-ordinator (BPE); M. L. Halilu; A. Koko, and P. O Egbodo, all representing the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. The FHA is represented by Ayuba Aliyu, Hajara Kadiri, and Umar S. Gonto.  Sanusi Abdu-Ali, Nurain Hassan Ibrahim, Pene Samaki, and Guful John Mankilik, are representatives of the BPE. Abba Sani Dauda, also from the BPE, will serve as Secretary.

  • WHO releases estimates on air pollution exposure and health impact

    A new World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality model has confirmed that 92 per cent of the globe’s population lives in places where air quality levels exceed WHO limits.

    “The new WHO model  shows  countries where the air pollution danger spots are, and provides a baseline for monitoring progress in combatting it,” said Dr. Flavia Bustreo, Assistant Director General at WHO.

    The report also represented the most detailed outdoor air pollution-related health data, by country, ever reported by WHO. The model is based on data derived from satellite measurements, air transport models and ground station monitors for more than 3000 locations, both rural and urban. It was developed by WHO in collaboration with the University of Bath, United Kingdom (UK).

    Air pollution’s toll on human health

    Some three million deaths a year are linked to exposure to outdoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution can be deadly. In 2012, an estimated 6.5 million deaths (11.6 per cent of all global deaths) were associated with indoor and outdoor air pollution. The report also revealed that nearly 90 per cent of air-pollution-related deaths occured in low- and middle-income countries, with nearly two out of three occurring in WHO’s South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions.

    It further said 94 per cent of deaths are due to non-communicable diseases – notably cardiovascular diseases, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. Air pollution also increases the risks for acute respiratory infections.

    “Air pollution continues to take a toll on the health of the most vulnerable populations – women, children and the older adults,” added Dr Bustreo. “For people to be healthy, they must breathe clean air from their first breath to their last.”

    Major sources of air pollution include inefficient modes of transport, household fuel and waste burning, coal-fired power plants, and industrial activities. However, not all air pollution originates from human activity. For example, air quality can also be influenced by dust storms, particularly in regions close to deserts.

    Improved air pollution data

    The WHO model has carefully calibrated data from satellite and ground stations to maximise reliability. National air pollution exposures were analysed against population and air pollution levels at a grid resolution of about 10 km x 10 km.

    “This new model is a big step forward towards even more confident estimates of the huge global burden of more than six million deaths – one in nine of total global deaths – from exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution,” said Dr. Maria Neira, WHO Director, Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health. He added that more and more cities are monitoring air pollution now, with satellite data more comprehensive, and the WHO getting better at refining the related health estimates.