The Nation Newspaper

Category: Building & Properties

  • Abuja hosts Africa dialogue on UN Habitat III Feb 21

    The need to address the housing challenge faced by the continent will be the focal point in Abuja next week, as leaders in the continent converge to chart a way forward to address this menace.

    Besides, it will also afford the continent the opportunity  to take a concerted position ahead of the United Nations (UN) Habitat III conference scheduled  for Quito, Ecuador in October.

    The meeting, which will be hosted by the  Power, Works and Housing  Mr. Babatunde Fashola, from Monday, February 21 to Friday, February 26 at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

    President Muhammadu Buhari will lead deliberations that will chart a sustainable path for Africa’s urban future, as Ministers for Housing and Urban Development on the continent gather in the Federal Capital Territory, for the Africa Regional Preparatory Conference, ahead of the forthcoming United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III).

  • Affordable housing: Shelter Afrique, CMB sign N3.3b deal

    Affordable housing: Shelter Afrique, CMB sign N3.3b deal

    Shelter Afrique (SAf), a Pan-African housing finance and development agency, has signed an agreement with a real estate development company, CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company Limited.

    The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the financial institution in Kenya, will provide  a loan of N3.3 billion to the firms.

    SAF’s Managing Director Mr. James Mugerwa and Managing Director of CMB, Mr Kelechukwu Mbagwu, signed for their firms.

    The cash is for the construction of Pearl Nuga Court Estate in Lagos, and also provide mortgage for off-takers that may want to key into the scheme.

    According to Mbagwu, the deal represents a step in the right direction as it fits into the vision of the government and other stakeholders to provide affordable housing for Nigerians.

    While agreeing that the private sector has the most strategic role to play in ensuring that housing deficit is reduced to its barest minimum, Mbagwu said the fundamentals of the real estate sector remains strong and healthy despite the turbulent economic terrain of last year.

    He urged the Federal Government to support the sector’s growth by creating and enforcing policies and laws that ensure that private sector development thrives through financial capitalisations and easily accessible construction finance.

    Mbagwu canvassed the government’s support.

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr.Babatunde Fashola, in his inaugural ministerial briefing assured that the Federal Government will lead an intervention to increase housing supply by not only undertaking construction of public housing, but also by formulating policies that will invariably lead to private sector participation and ownership  to reduce the country’s housing deficit.

    Stakeholders have since lauded this initiative, as they see in it a further boost to tackle the housing shortage that is being faced in the country, especially when it is considered that the country’s proportion of urban dwellers rose from 10.6 per cent of total population in 1953 to 19.1 per cent in 1963; 35.7 per cent in 1991 and 48.2 per cent in 2006.

    Besides, the 2006 National Population Census projected the urban population in the country at 50 per cent of total population by last year, a figure expected to rise to 60 per cent by 2025. The effect of this is that up to three out of five urban dwellers live without adequate shelter and basic services.

    CMB with over 12 years in real estate is receiving the support as part of the pan-African finance institution’s support of the real estate sector.

    Through such strategic partnerships, the financial institution offers products and related services, which support the efficient delivery of commercial real estate and affordable housing. Shelter Afrique has over 30 years in the industry and is in partnership with 44 African governments, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Africa Reinsurance Company.

  • Lagos introduces e-planning permit processing

    To improve service delivery, the Lagos State Government has introduced an online planning permit processing system in the state.

    According to the Commissioner for Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPPUD), Mr. Anifowoshe Abiola, from the comfort of an applicant’s home or office, the e-planning permit system will enable citizens apply online and enjoy accelerated service towards the granting of planning permits for development within the State from the comfort of their Offices and Homes.

    This, he said, is part of the e-Governance and improved service delivery promised by the present administration in the state.

    Anifowoshe enjoined contractors, developers and home owners to visit the electronic planning permit website on www.lagosepp.com to interact with the planning permit system which he described as secured and users friendly.

    In a statement signed, the Director, Public Affairs, MPPUD, Mr. Ajao Murtair, said the online permit system allows users to upload design drawings and other requirements, pay stipulated fees through internet banking or other online payment platforms using credit/debit cards, schedule site inspections and obtain up-to-date status information through e-notifications.

    The system is also expected to enhance the integrity and security of planning document; improve record keeping; archiving of permitting decisions; tracking of transactions and also improve better communication and feedback.

  • Reconstructed Ladipo auto market opens next month

    Reconstructed Ladipo auto market opens next month

    Ladipo Ultra Modern International Auto Spare Parts Market, Mushin, Lagos, which was demolished in October,last year, for reconstruction, will be opened next month, its developer Chris Onyekachi Simon, has said.

    He broke the news during a sensitisation rally by members of the market association.

    Simon, who is the Managing Director of Total Value Integrated Service Limited, said when completed, the market, would boast of about 1,000 shops, with modern facilities, such as toilets, a parking lot, canteen, bathrooms and adequate security.

    The market, he said, has opened its doors to applicants who want to get shops, saying that his firm  would assist buyers who do not have enough money to pay by linking them with a bank, provided they are able to pay the half of the amount. He said the shops are relatively cheap compared to others in the state as buyers are expected to buy them off, and not rent them.

    Noting that the market is the largest in West Africa, he said it would remain the best. He alluded to the crisis that trailed the demolition of the market with many claiming that the state government wanted to take it over from the traders, among other allegations. “All thanks be to God who started the project. We meant well for the people. I am happy and they are happy. When completed, they will have their shops back,” he said.

    The market’s association Chairman, Kingsley Ogunor said the rally was aimed at informing its members and others in the market that the union has not sold out as some claimed, but that true to its words, it has been rebuilt. He said what happened last year was that the 70-year old lease agreement between the traders and the government had expired and the government wanted to use the opportunity to rebuild the market.

    Unfortunately, he added, many people did not understand the situation and thought, the government was on a take-over mission. ‘’But in the spirit of change, we are moving forward,’’ he said, adding that priority would be given to traders.

    Simon and Ogunor thanked the state government, Executive Secretary, Mushin Local Government, Publicity Secretary, All Progressives Congress, Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe and others for their roles in resolving the crisis.

    A member of the association Jude Igwilo confirmed Ogunor’s words. “Now the government should keep its words and remember the traders,’’ he added.

  • Ogun demands N100b from Fed Govt

    • Warns against illegal structures

    Ogun State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite has urged  the Federal Government to pay the state government N100 billion it is owing the state.

    The amount being the money incurred for the construction of federal roads in the state. Adegbite said the total expenditure submitted to the Federal Government was N200 billion for all federal roads that were planned to be constructed.

    He said: “What we have submitted, I mean the total expenditure on federal roads that Ogun State government intends to construct, when we finish the roads is in excess of N200 billion. But what we have spent now and what we are asking for is just N100 billion. But I don’t think the Federal Government has the money to pay every state. I think Lagos State has the highest pay from the Federal Government in terms of the federal roads constructed. “What the Federal Government is doing is a good start at least she should pay something reasonable.”

    Adegbite explained that in 2011, there was a verification on past refurbished roads in some parts of the state, which was said to be about N4.5 billion which was yet to be paid.

    When paid, the government, he assured, would plough it back on road construction considering that the dividends derivable from the massive road construction works have begun to manifest in the state, especially as more investors, both local and foreign, are showing interest in doing business in the state.

    Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Urban and Physical Planning, Bashorun Adebola Adeife, has deplored the  construction of illegal shops, containers used as kiosks at unauthorised places, and other unapproved structures used as kiosks at unauthorised places in  Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Ilaro, Akute, Alagbole.

  • Elegushi kingdom proposes $300m imperial city

    Elegushi kingdom proposes $300m imperial city

    The Elegushi Royal Family has revealed its plan for the establishment of a $300 million new Imperial International Business City (IIBC). The new 200 hectare city will be built on reclaimed Lagoon extension of the kingdom and will also be the first eco-friendly smart business city in Africa.
    The Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi laid out his vision about the city in his palace while receiving some American investors interested in the project. He said the idea of a smart business city will address the perennial housing deficit in Lagos state and also change the landscape of real estate in Africa.
    The project which is a Joint-Venture between the Royal Family and Channeldrill Resources Limited will commence in April 2016 with land reclamation. According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Channeldrill, Mr. Femi Akioye, the project will be executed by some of the best drilling and architectural companies in the world.
    “The Elegushi Royal Family has received approval for the expansion of the Ikate Kingdom by 200 hectares. It is the vision of the royal father, Oba Saheed Elegushi to create an international business city which will incorporate the work, live and play theme. The IIBC will expand the Ikate kingdom and also extend Lekki Phase 1. We are making use of the best dredging and architectural companies in the world to accomplish this feat,” Akioye said.
    He said the Town and Regional Planning are being executed by Gensler Architectural Company, an American firm with global presence and United Kingdom based Grimshaw Associates. The dredging has also been contracted to two of the biggest dredging companies in the world, Jan De Nul –which is currently building Dangote Refinery- and Dredging International Limited, both Belgian companies.
    According to Akioye, the imperial city when completed will boost of world class infrastructures and novel innovations. It will also consist of Residential Area (30 %), Commercial, Residential Area (10%), Business District ( 30%), Leisure & Entertainment (10%), Infrastructure ,road, recreation & green park (20%) and fibre optics telecommunications, sewage and fire service station.
    Akioye: “Investors are already buying the off-plan allocation released by the Joint Venture and we are already at advance stage of the project. Our infrastructural plan will include, Lakes and water ways which will be used for internal water transportation within the city, it is also required for the city’s drainage system to prevent flooding. There will be office park which will include a shopping Mall with farmers’ fish & meat market, cinema and entertainment complex.
    Two Hospital Buildings and a school other commercial areas will be sold to private investors. The office park will also have a Sports Complex. All these buildings we have a vegetated green roof to mitigate the urban heat island effect and all land owners will be encourage to use the same technology; there will also be a mini marina which can take at least 40 yachts.”

  • Court slams N10m fine on Ibinabo

    Court slams N10m fine on Ibinabo

    Few weeks after being ordered by the Lagos State Court of Appeal to appear for judgment in the appeal challenging the five-year prison sentence handed out to her in 2009, Nollywood actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima, is in the web of the law again.

    In a separate case filed by a former Miss Earth Nigeria, Miss Munachi Chinenye Uzoma, challenging Fiberesima and AMC Productions Ltd for a breach of contract signed on October 28, 2011, a Federal High Court in Port-Harcourt, on Friday slammed the defendants with a fine of N10 million having upheld claims by the plaintiff.

    The case against the actress and AMC Productions Ltd was filed on August 29, 2012, by the L.O Ndatigh chambers, and has its defendant as O.C Higher King Esq.

    “At last justice has been done,” Uzoma who said she was cheated by the defendants said, after the rulling.

    Recall that on Thursday, January 28, 2016, the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos had reserved judgment in the appeal filed by Nollywood actress Ibinabo Fiberesima challenging the judgment of a Lagos High Court which sentenced her to five years imprisonment for the death of one Dr Giwa Suraj.

    The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command had in 2005 charged the ex-beauty queen to the magistrate court on a two-count charge of dangerous and reckless driving along Epe Expressway, Lagos which resulted to the death of Dr  Suraj.

  • Nigerians in Diaspora to bring in waste management experts

    Nigerians in the Diaspora have promised to get investors to harness the potential in waste deposits in Lagos State.

    The United Kingdom All Progressives Congress (UK APC) Chairman, Mr. Abiodun Ali, made this known at a meeting with the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare.

    According to Ali, the project, when fully on stream, will earn huge revenue for the state, adding that it will also create several job opportunities.

    He said: “We are here because we are very concerned about the Nigerian environment and, particularly, Lagos State environment. We have met the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment to discuss partnership on how to invest in the Lagos environment.

    “We, in the diaspora, can help in this area. There is no much awareness on how to  keep a better environment by our people. The government is sending a lot of money to maintain a healthy environment.  We have suggested that effort should be redoubled create awareness on how the people can inculcate a better environment.

    “Those who drop waste into the drainage should be sanctioned. This is because anytime there is rain the whole place will be flooded. This can lead to a situation where the people will abandon their houses if they are submerged by water,” he said.

    “There is lot of money to be made in environmental development. We are looking at the area of waste water management, waste disposal and the turning of waste to wealth.

    “This will create conducive environment and generate job opportunities for our teeming unemployed youth. There are lots of thing in the areas that refuse are dump which can be turned to money.

    “That can also help the state to generate fund to finance some of its projects. The state cannot fund everything that is why we are talking of partnership with the government to assist the state. Government is going to make lots of money we cannot quantify because we are talking in terms of billions of dollars. Government is going make lots of money from the investors when they come.”

    Adejare  said the state was willing to partner organisations and individuals to make the state better.

    He said the government was working on proposals and projects that would make the state safe, clean and friendly, noting that it was high time people made cleanliness a way of life in view of the spread of diseases, such as Lassa Fever and others.

  • Ogun warns developers

    Henceforth, developers of buildings without proper approval in Ogun State will be sanctioned. An erring developer will not only pay a fine, the building will also be demolished.

    To this end, the state government has advised property developers to obtain building permit before making any change in the use of land, building and structure or converting same from its approved usage.

    The Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning, Bashorun Adetola Adeife, gave the  warning after leading a team to seal some buildings in Ilaro and its environs in Ogun West Senatorial District.

    He said the era of impunity was over as the government would not fold its arms and watch developers contravene the state’s Urban and Regional Planning law, adding that their actions could turn the environment into slums.

    ‘’I urge all developers to obtain their permit before embarking on any construction as this would enable the professionals in the Ministry to guide the developers to build in line with the Urban and Regional Planning law without altering the layouts and at the same time increase the government revenue,’’ Adeife said.

  • Nigerians in Diaspora to bring in waste management experts

    Nigerians in the Diaspora have promised to get investors to harness the potential in waste deposits in Lagos State.

    The United Kingdom All Progressives Congress (UK APC) Chairman, Mr. Abiodun Ali, made this known at a meeting with the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare.

    According to Ali, the project, when fully on stream, will earn huge revenue for the state, adding that it will also create several job opportunities.

    He said: “We are here because we are very concerned about the Nigerian environment and, particularly, Lagos State environment. We have met the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment to discuss partnership on how to invest in the Lagos environment.

    “We, in the diaspora, can help in this area. There is no much awareness on how to  keep a better environment by our people. The government is sending a lot of money to maintain a healthy environment.  We have suggested that effort should be redoubled create awareness on how the people can inculcate a better environment.

    “Those who drop waste into the drainage should be sanctioned. This is because anytime there is rain the whole place will be flooded. This can lead to a situation where the people will abandon their houses if they are submerged by water,” he said.

    “There is lot of money to be made in environmental development. We are looking at the area of waste water management, waste disposal and the turning of waste to wealth.

    “This will create conducive environment and generate job opportunities for our teeming unemployed youth. There are lots of thing in the areas that refuse are dump which can be turned to money.

    “That can also help the state to generate fund to finance some of its projects. The state cannot fund everything that is why we are talking of partnership with the government to assist the state. Government is going to make lots of money we cannot quantify because we are talking in terms of billions of dollars. Government is going make lots of money from the investors when they come.”

    Adejare  said the state was willing to partner organisations and individuals to make the state better.

    He said the government was working on proposals and projects that would make the state safe, clean and friendly, noting that it was high time people made cleanliness a way of life in view of the spread of diseases, such as Lassa Fever and others.