The Nation Newspaper

Category: Building & Properties

  • ‘Cleaner environment boost for economy’

    The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, has said a clean and healthy environment can attract more investors to boost the economy of the state.

    He spoke at a meeting of PSP Operators, Highway Managers and the Ministry at the Transfer Loading Station of the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) in Agege, at the weekend.

    He sought their cooperation with the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to rid the state of filth and ensure a cleaner and healthier environment.

    “If the economic potential in the waste sector of the state were properly harnessed, it would help in creating employment opportunities and generating more revenue for the state government,” the Commissioner said.

    Adejare said the state government was stepping up its advocacy drive on a clean environment to change the behaviour of the people towards the environment.

    He, therefore, appealed for the commitment and cooperation of waste managers, urging them to respond to their responsibilities of clearing the waste generated by the citizenry.

    He warned that any operator found to be inefficient with his truck would be stopped.

    He appealed to Lagosians to shun indiscriminate dumping of refuse on roads, highways and drainages but rather imbibe the habit of proper bagging of wastes for easy collection by the operators.

    The government, Adejare further said, will soon establish a mobile court to try defaulters who refuse to pay their PSP dues. He also warned residents against patronising cart pushers as refuse collected by such unlicenced waste collectors are usually dumped in canal and drainages, which eventually end up in the waterways.

    The Chairman, Lagos Waste Management Service Providers’ Forum, Mr. Akin Adewole, gave the assurances of his group to put in a more concerted effort that will ensure that the Lagos Metropolis regain its sparkle and cleanliness soonest.

    Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment, Mr.Babatunde Hunpe, implored the operators to go back to their duties with renewed vigour and ensure a cleaner environment. He urged all and sundry to join the state crusade to attain a cleaner, healthier and sustainable environment, capable of promoting economic growth and well-being of the citizenry.

  • Commissioner tours projects

    Commissioner tours projects

    Lagos State Commissioner for Housing Mr. Gbolahan Wasiu Lawal–Akapo has inspected projects. He some was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olatunji Odunlami and Special Adviser to the governor on Housing, Mrs. Mudirat Giwanson.

    He visited Lagos State Homes Ownership Mortgage Scheme (LagosHOMS) in Omole Estate, Igando, Oko–Oba, Agege, Chief Anthony Enahoro Housing Estate Ogba, Omole Phase 2, and Magodo.

    According to the commissioner, the tour was to familiarise him with the LagosHOMS sites and to see the level of work done. “I want to see all the sites that we have, where construction works are ongoing,” he explained.

    In a chat with The Nation, the Commissioner expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far, assuring that his future plan is to look at the projects left by the last administration, review and appraise and come up with a strategy to improve on what was met in order to  close the housing gap between the high earners and the low income earners because ‘’the high income earners can always build their own houses.

    The commissioner, who admonished all allottees and would want them to be calm  as they would have the opportunity to benefit from the state’s housing scheme, reiterated the commitment of the administration to put  in its best  to provide housing for the people of the state.

    “Lagos has a very large percentage of middle class people, we cannot afford to ignore them,’’ he said.

    Lawal-Akapo disclosed that there will be an analysis on where there are demands and where there are no demands for houses, and the ministry will come up with the right assumptions for the future, even as he said the government will come out with analytical facts in providing an appropriate housing policy for the people of Lagos State.

     

  • LASG: Planning laws remain sacrosanct

    LASG: Planning laws remain sacrosanct

    Lagos State said it would enforcement Physical Planning and Urban Development laws to stem the tide of unwholesome practices in the building industry.

    The Commissioner for Physical Planning, Urban Development, Mr. Wasiu Anifowoshe, made this known at the stakeholders’ meeting organised by the state’s Physical Planning Permit Agency (LASPPPA), under the theme, ‘keying into the benefits of City Development for Urban Sustainability.’

    Anifowoshe urged the people to always build their structures in accordance with approved building plans so as to avoid disorderliness and haphazard development in the communities, adding that Lagos State, as a fast growing megacity, is poised to ensure liveable and sustainable environment through constructive engagement of all stakeholders.

    The General Manager of the Physical Planning Permit Authority, Mr. Toyin Abdul, Convener of the stakeholders’ meeting, said the essence of the parley was to deliberate on physical planning and development issues, with a view to obtaining feedback from the stakeholders through interactive session. He said the sporadic urban growth in Ojo area has necessitated the preparation of Development Guides and the expansion of  Lagos –Badagry Express way as well as production of Badagry master plan which has spelt out some key projects such as health facilities, up-grading of schools, waterfront  development to mention a few.

    He said it is time to ensure total compliance to planning laws and regulations, saying procrastination to do the needful can no longer be allowed. “Let us learn and build in conformity with physical development plans’ law and regulations. We cannot continue to procrastinate as delay could be dangerous”, he warned.

    Unfolding government’s efforts to expedite development permit in the state, Abdul stated that 20 District Offices were created across the state, with Ojo local government included. Besides, to ensure easy retrieval of the development plan, the agency is working out a software code known as “LASPPPA Soft”, aimed at detailing recording of development permit. This is in addition to ease complication of approved building plans for gazetting, in collaboration with the Physical Planning Research and statistics Department.

    At the interactive session, Directors from the various Departments took turn to enlighten the gathering on the activities of their Departments and the process of obtaining necessary approvals and permits. The Building Materials Testing Laboratory Agency was also at hand to sensitise the people on activities it also stressed the need for people to subject the building materials to testing so as to ensure of the quality of materials being used for construction. This according to him would stem the incidence of building collapse.

    Responding to the issue raised by the Ojo market leader on the markets removed to pave the way for the expansion of Badagry Express road, he appealed to the market association to be patient with the government saying that removal of such markets was for the good of all. “Your socio-economic life will improve, your property will attract more value and transportation will become easy and affordable,” he explained.

    Responding to complaint by the Bricklayers’ Association on low patronage and preference of foreign artisans to their Nigerian counterpart,  Anifowose  said the building industry is very competitive and for the bricklayers to occupy their right position in the building industry they have to upscale their skills and register under a builder adding that the best person would always get the job as nobody would patronise anybody whose competence was in doubt.

    However, a group of professionals in the built environment  appealed to the government to create space  for facilities such as the General Hospital and burial ground in the Ojo master plan, while the Community Development Associations sought government assistance  in securing land to execute Community  development projects.

  • Lafarge unveils affordable housing units

    Lafarge Holcim has unveiled a self-contained studio-flat at its Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos office in a move that may meet the desire of the majority, especially the low and middle income earners.

    This unveiling will serve as the bedrock upon which the firm’s planned delivery of a 500 unit of low cost housing in Gwagwalada, Abuja, is premised. The housing project is in partnership with the Federal Government, with equity contribution of five hectare land for the development.

    The house types to be provided include two and three bedroom flats and studio types. Prices starts from N1.5million for studio model, while others are between N4million and N6million.

    Its  Head, Affordable Housing and Building,  Mrs. Jumoke Adegunle, said the firm is taking affordable housing seriously. This, he said informed its decision to come up with the studio model that are within the reach of singles and newly married couple, who are desirous to own their home, with little financial requirement.

    She said: “We are working on the possibility of delivering at least, 500 houses in Abuja in 2016. It is to be situated in Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in partnership with some developers.

    “As a long term vision, Lafarge plans to come to the aid of individuals who would be home owners by assisting to help in building with this technology, which will not only be cost effective, but also save time and offer quality.”

    The project contractor, who is also the chief executive officer of Tye-Wall Construction Ltd., Mr. Tunde Isiolaotan, said the building was developed using modern technology known as “aluminum shuttering.” He said the use of this technology saves between 20 and 25 per cent of what it would cost to build in conventional ways.

    Isiolaotan described the house as ‘bulletproof’ as a result of prefabricated concrete blocks used in making the shell. Also, the electric cables, plumbing materials and other amenities are conduit except wash hand basins and toilet closets.

  • New Governing Council, BoT for AREDOLS

    The Chairman, Association of Real Estate Developers of Lagos State (AREDOLS), Nureni Ayinde Akinsanya, has reiterated the need for developers to ensure global best practices in building to reduce the incidence of collapse being witnessed nationwide.

    He spoke at the maiden inauguration of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and Governing Council of the association held at its new secretariat at Ebute- Metta.

    According to him, the inauguration marked a historic moment in the life of the association adding that it was part of the achievement of the present executive.

    The AREDOLS helmsman pointed out, that the inauguration of the Governing Council would move the association forward. He was quick to add, that the development would also provide a platform for an all-inclusive decision making by the executive.

    He admonished all members of the Governing Council to put in their efforts with a view to taking the association to the next level.

    His words: “This is a special call to other members for adequate cooperation with the present executive committee and the Governing Council at large I order to sustain the achievements made so far and also to do more before the end of the life of the present executive.”

     

  • HFP, Eastline to inaugurate shopping complex

    HFP Engineering (Nigeria) Limited, in conjunction with Eastline Investment Limited (EIL), is set to inaugurate the Eastline shopping complex, this weekend. The complex is a joint venture development between HFP and EIL, and consists of 3, 098 lock up shops of 24 square meters each, built on 18 hectares of land and located opposite the Abraham Adesanya Housing Estate, along Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.

    According to the Senior Sales and Marketing Manager of HFP, Mr. Osas Ogbeide, HFP Eastline Shopping Complex, was designed to create an environment that serves as a hub for economic activity along the Lekki-Epe axis, as well as a  one stop shopping venue with a traditional African ambience that enhances the customer’s shopping experience.

    The complex has an array of modern day conveniences that are standard features in international shopping complexes of such magnitude. Facilities such as a generous Car Parking Space that can accommodate up to 2, 000 cars simultaneously; back-up standby generators; an electricity sub-station; water and sewage treatment plants; street lights; Covered Concrete Drainages, a Network of Alleys and Walkways made of Interlocking Paving Stones and and Open Green Areas.

  • No new concession on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, says ICRC

    No new concession has been granted on the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Express-way, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), has said.

    In a statement, the Head, Communications, ICRC, Ms. Deborah Okafor, said to the “best of its knowledge, there has been no new concession  granted  as  required  by law and the National Policy on Public Private Partnership on Lagos Ibadan expressway,” saying news reports that Government  has  granted  a  new  ‘secret concession’ on the expressway  through  “a  back  door  arrangement,” are false.

    She  said after the termination of the concession granted to Bi-Courtney  Highway  Services  Limited,  the Federal Government decided to reconstruct  the  Lagos-Ibadan  expressway  as  a  traditional  procurement through  Engineering,  Procurement  and  Construction (EPC), adding however that the  government could not wholly  finance the project and had secured private financing from a consortium of banks to ensure the speedy completion of the road.

    According to her government  is  bound  to  repay  the financing arrangement (such as interest  payments, loan repayment, fees, charges and associated returns on equity  investment)  either  through  the  annual  budgetary system or from revenues  accruable  to Government if the operations and maintenance of the road is granted as a concession to a private party.

    If  and  when  the  Federal Government decides to grant concession over the operations  and  maintenance  aspect  of  the  project,  the  ICRC,  as the regulatory  agency,  will  ensure  that the project passes through a normal competitive  process  as  provided  for under the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (Establishment, Etc) Act, 2005 Act, (the Act) and the National PPP Policy on Public Private Partnership.

    The ICRC wishes to state further that: a) Any  PPP structuring over the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway can only take place  after the ongoing reconstruction is completed and handed over to the Federal Government.

    The  Federal  Ministry  of Works would then commence the process of procurement  of  a  competent  project  proponent  to  handle  the Tolling,

    Operations  and  Maintenance  of  the  road  in compliance with the Act and Policy,  which  requires that such a process must be done competitively and transparently.

    Any new concession over the road must, in due course, be certified by ICRC to have complied with the Act and Policy.

  • Infrastructure, housing to drive cement demand, says BUA chief

    Demand for cement will  be driven by building of infrastructure and housing development, Executive Director, BUA Group, Kabiru Rabiu has said.

    He said the firm’s target is to increase its capacity to 10 million metric tonnes per year by 2018.

    He said the company acquired a controlling stake at the Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc, as well as Edo Cement.This is in addition to being one of the 13 companies given licences to bring in bulk cement into the local market.

    On how the plant is powered, he said the company established 30 kilometres of gas pipeline to power their cement plant in Edo State.

    He predicted that cement price will remain stable in the short term and gradually drop in the medium term.

    Speaking at an investor conference, Rabiu said though BUA started as a trading company, importing rice, cement and flour, it later turned to a major integrated manufacturer of these products locally thereby creating thousands of jobs for in the country.

    “The company started as a trading entity importing rice, edible oil, cement as well as flour into the Nigerian market. Over the years, it began the production of what it previously imported like edible oil as well as rice and flour milling,” he said.

    He said by 2005, the firm established its first flour mill in Lagos, followed by another in Kano with 5.5 million tonnes milling capacity per day.

    Also, in 2008, BUA Group set up the second-largest sugar refinery in sub-Saharan Africa, which is situated in Lagos with installed capacity of 720,000 metric tones, he added.

    “At the moment, companies within the group are separate entities within different divisions. We have the Infrastructure division and then we have the foods division. In the infrastructure segment, we have cement, real estate, steel and port operations,” Rabiu said.

    He explained that massive infrastructure projects, commercial and residential housing development will drive cement demand in Nigeria. The BUA boss said he learnt from informed sources that President Muhammdu Buhari’s administration planned to spend about $20 billion starting from next year on infrastructure.

  • How to tackle e-waste management, by UNIDO, NESREA,

    How to tackle e-waste management, by UNIDO, NESREA,

    National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lawrence Anukam, has blamed the rise in global electronic or e-waste scourge on technological advancement.

    Anukam, who spoke during a sensitisation workshop on the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for the electrical/electronics sector at the British High Commission residency in Ikoyi, Lagos, said the high technology consumption rate  implies that sustainable production and consumption of electrical/electronics equipment would help control e-waste.

    The event, organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in collaboration with Hinckley Associates, United Kingdom Trade and Investment and NESREA, was aimed at creating public awareness for e-waste management.

    It was also designed to promote meaningful dialogue and consultations between NESREA and key stakeholders; understanding current e-waste disposal processes; providing an overview on current e-waste volumes and future projections.

    In a paper titled: “Overview of Hazardous Waste Management”, delivered by the Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of the Environment, (FMEnv), Mr. Theodore Nwaokwe, he said strategies for managing hazardous wastes (HZW) include appropriate use of regulations, research into cleaner production techniques, EPR and environmental impact assessment (EIA).

    Other include compliance monitoring and enforcement; polluter-pays-principle, public education to change consumption and purchasing habits.

    He also listed efforts of the FMEnv to manage HZWs to include the ratification of relevant conventions (Basel Convention, Stockholm Convention, Rotterdam Convention); establishment of regulatory agencies such as NESREA; active participation at meeting and relating to the relevant conventions.

    He said  signing of memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) on chemicals and HZW management; establishment of linkage centres, hosting of Basel & Stockholm Convention regional centres, and preparing guidelines, regulations, policy frameworks and standards are other steps the government has taken.

    Nwaokwe also listed some projects undertaken by the ministry to include the establishment of scrap metal recycling plants in some towns, establishment of plastic recycling plants in some cities, establishment of waste recycling facility (material recovery facility) in two cities, establishment of integrated waste management facility, clean-up and remediation of Warri Refinery & Petrochemical Company dumpsites, remediation of sludge pits at Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company.

    He called for a more effective HZW in the country, stressing that there is need for increase in both the federal and state budgetary allocations for HZW management; strengthening of collaboration among MDAs, increased compliance monitoring and enforcement.

    He argued that domestication of all ratified treaties and conventions relating to chemicals and HZWs and intensification of research on cleaner production techniques through increasing advocacy with the National Assembly are ways the menace could be addressed.

    He also called for increased sensitisation of stakeholders and the general public, periodic and regular review of legislations, guidelines, standards, policies and regulations and provision of more infrastructure like landfills, treatment plants, incinerators, transfer stations.

    Speaking on the occasion, UNIDO’s Country Representative, Dr David Tommy, said environmental issues are universal and require everyone’s involvement. He said UNIDO is fully committed to promoting sustainable developmental projects. He highlighted some efforts of UNIDO in the EE sector which include organising an e-waste forum a year ago in collaboration with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and the development and submission of a proposal on e-waste, which has been submitted to Global Environmental Fund (GEF) for support.

    Tommy also called for holistic approach to environmental protection. To this end, he stressed the need to set up the Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO); set up  Black Box, Registry and Advisory Council for the full implementation of the EPR in the sector. He  pledged UNIDO’s commitment to working with NESREA on EPR implementation.

    Speaking on the relationship between e-waste management and sustainable banking,   Head, Environmental Sustainability/CSR Division, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. A. C. Ifechikwu, said the Nigeria Sustainable Banking Principles (NSBP), an initiative of the Bankers’ Committee, was developed to incorporate social and environmental considerations into the activities and operations of the financial sector, and has been adopted by the Nigeria Financial Sector since July 2012, with nine principles. The principles include environmental and social risk management as well as environmental and social footprint, among others.

    He said in deploying a strategy to reduce environmental carbon footprints, the three “Rs”- reduce, that is, waste minimisation/smart procurement; re-use, that is, e-waste, furniture and others. Recycle that is, paper, plastic,; and proper disposal of other wastes.

    In supporting government in e-waste management, Mr. Oluyomi Banjo, an environmental expert at the UNIDO Regional Office, listed UNIDO’s mandate to include helping to promote the greening of existing industries and creation of green industries.

    They also include the implementation of different green industry flagship programmes such as  Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) phase out; persistent organic pollutants phase out and hazardous waste management. Specific products in e-waste that are of concern include flat screens, batteries, CFCs/Fridges and air conditioners.

    In a related development, UNIDO has also organised a workshop on amending the national environmental Ozone Layer protection (OZP) regulations 2009 for the country. The workshop was organised as part of the steps towards the implementation of the project: “Demonstration Project for Disposal of Unwanted Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) in Nigeria”.

    The objectives of the workshop were to identify the gaps in the ODS regulation; inform stakeholders about planned introduction of  the mandatory destruction of unwanted ODS and  product stewardship in ODS containing equipment among others.

    Tommy said the time has come for Nigeria to be fully compliant with product stewardship in line with the EPR. He said the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the ozone layer was the first  protocol  of the United Nations to have all  its member states as signatories

    Therefore, he said Nigeria, as a signatory to the convention,as well as Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Arican Union (AU) are not left behind on recent trends.

    In her presentation on “The Role of Media in Ozone Layer Protection and Environmental Matters” by Environment Editor, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Ms Nkechi Itodo,  listed wrong content alignment in news, poor capacity of media practitioners and organisational issues as some of the challenges weighing down mass media reportage of environmental matters in the country.

    Therefore, she  urged government to champion environment programmes and projects, including funding of media’s participation in environmental conferences to boost media capacity.

    She also tasked journalists to always highlight environment-related matters as developmental issues in their reporting and analysis.

    In all, six papers were presented at the workshop.

  • Experts lament decline in Lagos urban greening

    More than ever before, respective agencies and organisations are now realising the need for greener environment in line with the global climate change campaign.

    This was the subject of discourse at the just concluded Lagos State Stakeholders’ summit on greening of the environment by the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) held at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

    Speakers at the event did not fail to emphasise the importance of urban greening, noting that it epitomises the incorporation of socio-cultural values in environmentally organised human settlements.

    For instance, an environmentalist with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Dr. Desmond Majekodunmi, bemoaned the conversion of the old Ikoyi Park to a residential estate, now called Park View Estate. For him, these efforts would not have been necessary if the old arrangement in the state had not been tampered with. He recalled that the ‘Old Lagos’ was green, citing such places like Race Course, now Tafawa Balewa Square, Ikoyi Park, among others that were centre of recreation to Lagos residents of all categories.

    “But force of power by the military destroyed what made Lagos tick. Ironically, the beautiful Ikoyi Park was destroyed and renamed Park View without any park created in it,”he said.

    Another speaker, Mr Adile Iroajugh, who spoke on “Stakeholders Involvement & Engagement in City Greening Initiative”, recalled the deliberations at the First Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June, 1992, which was based on the principle of sustainable development.

    He explained that the “Agenda 21” of international summit on climate change remains a call on governments to adopt national strategies for sustainable development and that the strategies should be developed with wide participation, including non-government organisations and the public.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, who represented the governor at the event, emphasised that environmental regeneration and sustainability have been integral parts of the programmes of the state government since 1999. He noted that the achievements recorded  are evident in the remarkable transformation of the state’s environmental landscape; that this administration is committed to continuing along these lines and take it even further.