The Nation Newspaper

Category: Building & Properties

  • PwC: real estate value to hit $13.65b in 2016

    PwC: real estate value to hit $13.65b in 2016

    ACCOUNTING and auditing giant PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has   predicted that the real estate sector’s value will next year rise from $9.16billion to $13.65 billion next year.

    In its report, titled: Real Estate: Building the future of Africa, it said the sector is growing at a rate of 8.7 per cent, making it the sixth largest in the economy. The reasons for the expected growth are not far-fetched.  Apart from the volatility in crude oil price since July,  high networth individuals (HNWIs), going by  PwC’s report, invest 25 per cent of their assets in real estate. This is seven per cent more than the 18 per cent or less investors in this category that invest in equities and other instruments.

    PwC also noted that in commercial real estate, the influx of institutional, foreign and private businesses into the country and the growth of indigenous businesses and multinational oil companies in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt have kept the segment vibrant. It observed that rents in Lagos are among  the highest in the world with achievable rents of more than $1,020/m2 (about N200, 000/m2) yearly.

    But as expensive as Lagos appears, the city does not rank among the top five on the continent. PwC, in a separate study, titled: “Into Africa”, a comparative research study of 20 African cities of opportunity deemed to be among the most dynamic and focused on the future, ranked Lagos as seventh. The overall ranking of cities by the report placed the top five cities as Cairo (Egypt), Tunis (Tunisia), Johannesburg (South Africa), Casablanca (Morocco) and Algiers (Algeria).

    The study, based on the methodology, research, and analytical framework of PwC’s global Cities of Opportunity report – the seventh edition of which will be released next year, ranked the 20 cities on 29 variables grouped into infrastructure, human capital, economics, society and demographics.

    Jonathan Cawood, Capital Projects and Infrastructure leader for PwC Africa, observed that from the study, a strong correlation among infrastructure, human capital and economics is noticeable. He said cities that score well in infrastructure also score well in human capital and, expectedly, also score well in economics.

    He explained that with city infrastructure under pressure, many of Africa’s cities cannot maintain their current levels of population and economic growth without enhancing their infrastructure.

    ”The demands for infrastructure vary from city to city based on stage of development, priorities and affordability.The basic needs for power, water and sanitation, transport and logistics, housing and ICT top the list for most.  The wisdom of the choices Africa’s cities make in balancing political, social and economic agendas will become even more critical in managing finite financial and environmental resources,” Cawood warned, adding that smart, creative, ambitious human beings will congregate and invest their labour and capital where it is most advantageous and livable for them to do so.

    For him, and other experts involved in the study, the focus should not be all about more infrastructure, but better infrastructure. Therefore, they submit, rethinking urban design that  improves the way people work, live and play, integrating energy efficiency and renewable resources, leveraging technology and smart city thinking, promoting sustainability and the green agenda, smarter public transportation and supply chain solutions are all part of the recipe for Africa’s cities of opportunity.

    The PwC’s study did not however fail to highlight the problems facing the real estate industry. These, it noted, to include problems with access to finance, especially with a lack of long-term debt financing and underdeveloped mortgage market, as mortgage loans represent less than one per cent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). The cumbersome and time-consuming processes for land acquisition and ownership documentation; expensive land in urban areas; high cost of building materials and construction; reliance on expatriate workers resulting from a shortage of expertise in the local construction industry, and security considerations as a result of local unrest, need to be tackled for the sector to attain its full potential.

    PwC, in its report, also indicated that there is considerable room for profitable investments in the real estate sector due to the huge housing deficit in the country. It noted that if this growth pattern is sustained and improved on, numerous jobs will be created in the process and the housing deficit will be bridged sooner than later.

    PwC further noted that African cities offer  opportunities for economic enterprise. The consistent growth of its cities over the next decade will alter the continent’s socioeconomic landscape, it said.

  • Cornerstone, US investors seal deal on housing

    Cornerstone, US investors seal deal on housing

    TO up the ante in real estate sector, Cornerstone Real Estate Limited has entered into a partnership with an American investment firm.

    The firm, Aesbus Knowledge Solutions, which has interests in manufacturing, telecommunications and real estate related businesses, last week sent a high-powered delegation to inspect housing development projects being handled by Cornerstone.

    Aesbus representatives, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Earl Castor, and one of its directors, Dr. Solomon Olatoye, following tour of Cornerstone’s Oregun Phase II Housing Project in Lagos, expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done on the site. “This is one of the best housing projects, especially in terms of quality of work done, including the finishing aspect, that we have seen during our short visit to Nigeria,’’ the team leader said.

    The partnership also positions Cornerstone to trade in real estate, seeking such services in any part of the US, thereby expanding its operations beyond the shores of Nigeria.

    The Chairman, Cornerstone Real Estate Limited, Mr. Lanre Okupe, hinged the success of the firm on the prudent management of materials and manpower, which has lead to the delivery of high quality products at competitive prices.

    The Oregun housing scheme is one of the several estate development schemes the firm is working on. After completing and selling out the Phase One of the Cornerstone Oregun Phase I Housing Project, works is nearing completion on the Phase II of the scheme, which is being developed on a five-acre land in Ikeja, Lagos. The Phase Two consists of 14 units of various duplex types, comprising two units of three-bedroom detached houses, with one room boys’ quarters; six units of four-bedroom semi-detached houses with one room boys’ quarters and six units of three-bedroom terrace house.

    Okupe explained that each duplex sits on an approximate land area of 350m2-400m2 , comprising an all en-suite four-bedrooms, while the ground floor space area includes the entrance lobby, foyer, main living room, dinning, kitchen, visitors’ toilet, guest room en-suite.

    The first floor space area include the family lounge with balcony, two-bedrooms and the master’s bedroom, spacious living and dining areas with exquisite wood work, well-finished wardrobes and kitchen cabinet as well as P.O.P ceiling. It is fitted with stainless steel aluminum railings, among others. The terrace houses, Okupe said, would also be finished with P.O.P ceiling, stainless steel aluminum railings, well-finished wardrobes and kitchen cabinet, among others.

    Owning a house in the scheme is easy, says the Cornerstone boss. Explaining the procedure, Okupe said payment by intalments is allowed, with 30 per cent down payment while the balance is spread over a year. The duplexes sell for N85 million per unit, while the terrace houses go for N75 million.

    In its over 27 years of operations as housing estate developer, the company has delivered over 10 residential housing estates across Lagos Metropolis and won several awards for delivering qualitative housing projects.

     

  • Raise effective emergency panels, states, councils told

    THE National Emergency Agency (NEMA) has urged state and local governments to raise effective local emergency committees.

    Its Director-General, Alhaji Muhammed Sidi, made the call in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital during a pre-flood campaign for non-governmental organisations and  community-based organisations.

    He said NEMA could not be in all the local and state governments at the same time to combat emergencies and disasters.

    The DG, who was represented by the agency’s Head, Minna Operations Office, Slak Bijimi,urge state and local governments to play their part so that everybody would feel the impact of what the government is doing.

    He said disasters could be handled more effectively at the grassroots.

    Bijimi explained that the need to be prepared for emergencies necessitated the creation of awareness by the agency, adding that this would go a long way in helping it to keep the communities safe and more resilient to disasters and emergencies.

    “Though floods are devastating nature-induced disasters which have become common and persistent claiming lots of lives and causing serious damage to property and the environment, identification and adherence to early warnings could, to a great extent, help to reduce the impact of flood disasters in our communities,” Bijimi noted, adding that communities are likely to become more vulnerable as they expand due to development; hence, the need to take time to identify and test community-based early warning system as part of the effective measures for preventing and preparing for floods and other disasters.

    Since the 2012 flood with its devastating effects in Nigeria, the relevant government agencies have been bringing stakeholders together yearly, especially after the seasonal rainfall prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) to discuss and prepare for the rains.

  • Kano, firm inaugurate N50b Abuja estate

    Kano, firm inaugurate N50b Abuja estate

    The Kano State Government and a firm, Urban Shelter Limited, have inaugurated a N45 billion housing estate in Abuja.

    The estate, christened Evergreen Residences, is located in the Durumi District, Abuja.

    It comprises 108 housing units, of four and five-bedroom maisonettes; four bedrooms terraces and three-bedroom blocks of apartments,  on a 200, 000 m2 of land.

    Other features in the estate include a 24-hour security, power and water supply services to be provided by a dedicated transformer and an automatic changeover system. The landscape has also been transformed from clogged cluster of buildings to a collection of homes.

    The estate, built on a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative, is part of effort of the state government to address the estimated 17 million housing deficit in the country.

    Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso explained that the estate is a project by Urban Shelter Limited with the state’s Pension Fund Trustees. He said the land on which the estate was built is the contribution of the  state to the  agreement with the developer, which he declared to be “commensurate with its investment.”

    And as part of the deal, the Kano State Trust Fund Trustees will get 20 housing units in the scheme.

    Kwakwanso lauded the efforts of Urban Shelter Limited for executing such “a masterpiece”, urged home owners to acquire property in “this befitting neighborhood, because it has now been transformed from house to homes”

    Chairman, Urban Shelter Limited, Mallam Ibrahim Aliyu, also thanked the state government for the partnership, enjoining other states to emulate such initiative in the interest of the citizens.

  • Lagos tackles flooding

    The Lagos State Ministry of the Environment has intensified its dredging of primary channels and desilting of secondary collector drains  to reduce flooding.

    Speaking during an inspection of  some maintenance and cleaning jobs in the state, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services of the ministry,  Ayodeji Adenekan, expressed satisfaction with the level of work done, urging contractors to ensure the speedy completion  the rainy season peak period approaches.

    The works consist of dredging of primary channels, such as the Badagry Channel, Ibiye Channel, LUTH Channel, System 1, Iju-Ajuwon, Gbolagas, Gedegede, Ikota Channels, Ibeju -Lekki, Kemberi/Afromedia, Ojo Channel, Mercy Eneli, Jalupon, Ijeododo, Alimosho, among others to contain flooding in the state.

    Adenekan explained that the Ministry had, earlier, devised a three-way approach to aid its deflooding programme for the year.

    This consist of the Pre-Rain Programme from January-April; Mid-Rain Programme from May-August, and the Post Rain Programme from August-December. He said while the state has continued to dredged the primary channels, over 100 secondary desilting are ongoing across the state to ensure that the state is flood free.

    Adenekan listed some of the areas undergoing desilting  as Moshalshi/Egbeda, Okunola, Governor Road, Isheri/Igando, Orelope, Egbeda-Akowonjo, and Sasha Collector Drains in Alimosho areas.

    In Apapa, desilting is also ongoing in NNS Quora, AP Tide Gate Channel (Rectangular/Trapezoidal), Wharf Road/Texaco, Child Avenue, Azare Creek Collector, and Kofo-Abayomi.

    Similarly, in Eti-Osa, cleaning  is ongoing at LSDPC Flats, Adeola Odeku, Kofo Abayomi, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Akin Adesola, Eko Court, among others.

    Works are also ongoing on the drains in Ibeju-Lekki, Ikeja- Adekunle Fajuyi, Ikeja Bus-stop, Agidingbi, and Ajao Road.

    In Mushin, it is Agege Motor Road, Ladipo- Apapa Expressway, Bishop-Fashoro -LUTH Drains etc, experiencing cleaning works, while rural areas like Ibeju-Lekki, Shomolu, etc are not left out of the deflooding exercise, including Oduyebo, Odongunyan, Ishawo, Ireshe, all in Ikorodu local government, are being attended to.

    Adenekan, however, urged residents to avoid dumping of waste into drains as well as desist from patronising cart pushers, who dump the waste collected into canals,  which leads to flooding.

    “The peculiarity of Lagos been a lowline state, notwithstanding, the Lagos State Government will continue to embark on works that will ensure that the incidence of flooding is reduced to the barest minimum in the state,” Adenekan assured.

     

  • Firm unveils housing security solutions

    Stanley Security, one of the world’s most renowned providers of integrated security solutions for homes and businesses, has introduced its products into the Nigerian market.

    Unveiling the company’s offerings, which include the provision of ancillary support and training for practitioners, on the sidelines of the Lagos Architects Forum at the Eko Hotel and Suites last Wednesday, Pre-Sales Marketing Manager, Middle East & Africa Mr Jayaprakash Radhakrishnan, explained said the company was determined to contribute to the ever growing construction industry  through  its assorted quality products, many of which are the first generation of the products in the industry.

    “We are committed to adding to the capacity of every professional in the Nigerian construction industry to deliver top notch security products and services to their customers,” he said.

    Radhakrishnan, told visitors to the exhibition that Stanley’s extensive portfolio of products including Architectural Hardware (Commercial & Residential Hardware), glass accessories, Electronic locks and automatic doors, among others, are available nationwide.  They are being distributed by emel Building Materials, a subsidiary of the Emel Group, a leading business conglomerate, operating in Nigeria since 1966.

    He explained further that part of the unique offerings of Stanley Products, which have been tested in more than one hundred locations, is that they are designed for integration into the hardware and software structure of any organisation that employs their use.

    Radhakrishnan said: “Stanley Security has over the years developed various custom fit products for institutions across the financial, educational, healthcare and transportation sectors. We are very sure that builders in Nigeria will have a dependable ally in every Stanley product they embrace just as builders all over the world are able to testify”

    Stanley Security was founded in 1843 and has been listed on the NewYork Stock Exchange since1966.

     

    The company is noted for its pioneering capability and innovation which is noticeable in its recognition as a producer of best in class products.

     

    As a result of the outstanding quality of the STANLEY Security products, the company has been an exclusive vendor of the US Government & US Army and of many other prestigious projects worldwide over the years.

    STANLEY Security’s relationship with Emel Group, a company which has served the interest of Nigerians for the past 48 years is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best things that has ever happened to the construction industry in Nigeria.

  • Nigerite demystify dry construction

    Nigerite demystify dry construction

    An architect with Nigerite, Jesse Onovere, has explained why his firm is championing dry construction as an alternative to building. It is to demystify the age-long belief that dry construction is not viable, he said.

    Onovere, in a sideline chat with The Nation during the Lagos 6.0 Architect Forum in Lagos, last week, said that Nigerite, beyond marketing its product at the forum, was also using the opportunity to let the public know that dry construction remains a very viable alternative to wet construction- that is, mortar and brick.

    Nigerite, a principal sponsor of this year’s Lagos Architect Forum, according to Onovere, said with its flagship product, the Kalsi- a brand for the firm’s dry construction system, makes use of dry walls as its basic element; thus making it possible to be used to build a house and used for both internal and external works.

    “We have been pushing for dry construction for about four and half years now. We are building momentum over time and that is why we are launching it again this year. The reaction to the Kalsi wasn’t too lovely; I remember I had several presentations to people; and they didn’t understand it very well; many would tell us then that “I don’t want to be used as a guinea pig” for this your solution. It was like that for about two years when we started. But after the third year, some people tested it and found out that it enhanced their jobs, including the architects. Now, people have been coming for it and more are also keying into it. Overall, the response has been impressive; still growing though, and better than what we had before. I would say we have like 45 to 50 per cent acceptance so far; but it can be better,” Onovere told The Nation.

    To this end, Onovere said that Nigerite’s dry construction solution, the “Kalsi” board solution, offers this alternative at a cheaper cost. “We are trying to also let them know that it is possible to demystify the process of building.

    With images that we just rolled during the presentation you saw, we are trying to let the public know that it is possible. So ours is to demystify anything pertaining to the dry construction business,” he said.

    The Kalsi is not being sold as a product but as a building solution; so it comes with other items like the galvanised steel and cement board. Experts knowledgeable in dry construction say that whereas there are some wastages in brick and mortar, which are not always factored into the cost of construction, but with the Kalsi solution, wastages are taken off the shoulders of the building owner. For instance, the pipe used is already pre fabricated, saving cost in employing artisans coming to chisel metals.

    It would be recalled that Nigerite recently refurbished its reception office using the Kalsi solution to serve as a testimony to stakeholders, create more awareness for the Kalsi brand as well as demonstrate that Kalsi can be used to complement, build and remodel already existing buildings and open area offices. Kalsi Floors are cement boards used for sub-floor applications in houses, apartments and lightweight commercial buildings. They are also suitable solutions for false-floor applications to conceal services in buildings. It can be finished with marble, granite, ceramic, or any other finishing material of choice.

     

  • Architects kick against foreign domination

    Architects kick against foreign domination

    The built environment is gradually being taken over by foreign architects at the expense of their  indigenous courterparts. What is the way out? It is by adhering to local and international laws, say the indigenous operators. MUYIWA LUCAS reports.

    The gathering was unanimous in its mission-to fight the incursion of foreigners into the built environment.

    The Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) cautioned foreign architects over their incursion into the country’s architectural landscape without complying with extant laws  and the International Union of Architects (UIA) recommended International Standards of Professionalism guiding their practice in foreign lands.

    ARCON said its warning is based on “The Architects Registration Act” Chapter A19, paragraph 1 which stipulates that: “Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person shall not prepare or take full responsibility for the erection or commissioning of architectural building plans or practice or carry on business…under any name, style or title containing the word “architect” unless he is a Nigerian citizen and registered under this Act.”

    The UIA Accord on recommended International Standards of Professionalism in Architectural practice recognises the ARCON Act. It stipulates that every foreign architect abides by it, while it recognises that there is an interest in increasing the responsible mobility of architects and their ability to provide services in foreign jurisdictions. The Accord stressed the need to promote the awareness of local environmental, socio-cultural factors, ethical and legal standards.

    ARCON President, Mr. Umaru Aliyu, who spoke while addressing architects and other stakeholders at the seventh edition of the Lagos Architects Forum 2015, tagged “Lagos 6.0: The Business of Architecture”,  said the policy is explicit.

    The forum was organised by the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Lagos State Chapter, in Lagos, last week.

    He explained that the UIA Policy is very explicit on the procedure to be followed by architects providing architectural services on a project in a country in which they are not registered. Such architects, going by the UIA Accord, he explained, shall collaborate with a local architect to ensure that proper and effective understanding is given to legal, environmental, social and heritage factors; while the conditions of the association should be determined by the parties alone in accordance with UIA ethical standards, local status and laws. “Foreign architects working in the country must have the Nigerian architect as the lead consultant. ARCON wishes to once again make it clear to all and sundry that it will not stand by and watch the rights of its members being trampled upon and the sources of their livelihood eroded through illegal foreign incursion. We wish to sound a note of caution to everyone engaged in this unwholesome act to desist from it or be ready to face the full wrath of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Aliyu said.

    He further said the body has also introduced a new initiative to curb unprofessionalism or quackery in the profession. The initiative, known as the Architect Project Registration Number (APRN), is being seen as a major way forward in stemming cases of corruption plaguing the local construction industry. This is because without the newly introduced number, no architectural drawings in any part of the country would be adjudged legal.

    “The Council appreciates the untold hardship our members have been subjected to by the unwholesome attitude towards the practice of architecture in Nigeria over the years. It is in recognition of this that the Council introduced the use of the ARCON seal, complemented with the use of the security stamps to be affixed on every sheet of the drawings submitted for developmental control/implementation purposes. “The Council has however gone ahead to introduce the Architect Project Registration Number (APRN), which is a number assigned by the Council to each architectural project in any part of the country to ensure that only fully registered architects submit architectural drawings for developmental control/implementation and receive approval from relevant approving authorities. “All submissions for development control/implementation must comply with the above,” Aliyu said. He urged its members to continue to work with the body in establishing the business and practices of architecture in an appropriate manner.

    Until the recent introduction of the APRN, ARCON rule was that each sheet of architectural drawing must have its security seal, and duly signed, and accompanied by current practice license of the architect. But instead of reducing the lapses within the industry, it appears the measure was not effective, thus leading to the new regulation.

    Earlier at the forum, the President, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Mr. Waheed Brimmo, expressed confidence in the ability of the body to achieve the laudable objective of the Forum, describing it as a “great event that has metamorphosed into a forum of inestimable enlightenment, exchanges, expositions and exhibitions.” He said  there was no gainsaying about the centrality of the business of architecture in the survival and advancement of architecture and architects and there could not be a better time than now for them as professionals to establish parameters to assess the practice in a world that is daily advancing. Brimmo urged the organisers of the event to package the programme as a learning module and make it available to all schools of architecture, and all in the field.

    In his welcome address, NIA Lagos Chairman, Mr. Ladipo Lewis, said the state chapter had always worked ardently towards contributing positively to the development of Lagos State. He said this year’s theme was apt as it is coming at a time the country emerged the largest economy in Africa.

    He said:  “The need to engender the entrepreneurial spirit in our participants, has been a recurring theme in all Lagos Architects Forum. This  would ultimately lead to the delivering of exceptional buildings, high quality structures, affordable homes, and employment opportunities for the citizens and communities in Lagos State.

    “The City of Lagos will benefit from the copious knowledge acquired at this event, we can transform our city into an airline, tourism, trade, entertainment and convection hub, Lagos could become the Dubai of Africa, transforming the economy with foreign investment, in tourism, trade, shopping and convention activities, jobs would subsequently be created in abundance.

    “The need for investment friendly Urban Design and Planning Legislation cannot be over emphasised.”

  • Embrace entrepreneurship, surveyors told

    Embrace entrepreneurship, surveyors told

    The three-day national workshop organised by the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) has ended in Kano, Kano State, with the body urging its members to learn the act of entrepreneuership. The theme of the workshop was “The Professional as an Entreprence.” The workshop, according to its organisers, was held with a view to providing an avenue for enlightening the professional Quantity Surveyor on the need to embrace entrepreneurial development, digitisation and professionalism. Besides, the workshop was to further equip the Quantity Surveyor for the future growth and sustenance of the profession.

    At the workshop, the various speakers and other stakeholders noted that there is a dearth of professionals in various sectors of the Nigerian economy and the previous model of single-shop owner is no longer sustainable. Hence, it was observed, there is the need to expand, integrate, innovate and diversify in order to promote the profession.

    The theme of the workshop was further broken down to sub-themes which were addressed in the form of paper presentations, viz: entrepreneurship; professionalism, and digitalisation. At the end of the workshop, four syndicate sessions were held and the observations made by the participants.

    At the end of the workshop, several recommendations were made to improve the practice of the profession. For instance, for the individual professional, there is a need to embrace digitalisation, explore the use of MS Excel in the preparation of Bills of Quantities and other contract documents, as this can greatly reduce the burden on the QS by eliminating boring and routine tasks. Besides, it was also recommended that Nigerian QS can achieve partnerships with foreign firms with deep expertise in highly relevant areas such as new methods of project cost benchmarking, public-private partnership (PPP) concept in infrastructure development.

    Importantly, it recommended that since the current level of entrepreneurial skills within QS practice in Nigeria is shallow and needs to be deepened, practitioners in the country must appreciate the need to act more as entrepreneurs and learn what entrepreneurship is all about.

    “For the QS interested in entrepreneurial development there are important things to consider: the preparation of a business plan, consideration of the external environment where the business will be reviewed and other institutions within the external environment. There is a wide range of potential projects open to the forward thinking QS interested in entrepreneurial development in the areas of Transportation, Energy, Oil & Gas, ICT and Social Infrastructure among others. Quantity Surveyors are enjoined to take advantage of the opportunities available in entrepreneurial development and to keep abreast with the latest developments in the business,” the communique at the end of the workshop read.

    Stakeholders at the forum also recommended mergers and acquisition for practitioners and their firms as this is a viable means for survival and growth of professional firms. It charged practitioners to de-emphasise individualism and seek to provide avenue for tutelage of younger professionals, as the best recipe for practical survival and growth of professional firms is competence, integrity and honesty.

    “To avoid mistakes, overcome problems and become successful and achieve sustainable growth, the Quantity Surveyor requires knowledge of business practice, accounting principles, national economic conditions and expertise in the building process,” NIQS said in its communique.

    For the NIQS and/or other organisations, it further recommended that there is need to create higher levels of membership or distinction for firms requiring greater investment in knowledge, diversification , internationalisa-tion and staff quality/training that can create incentive to invest.

     

     

     

    Stakeholders urged the institution to be actively involved in identifying software and carry out mandatory training workshops for its members; and also identify members who are knowledgeable in the Institute so they could serve as resource persons for training and possible development of QS-dedicated software.

    “The curriculum content of higher institutions offering Quantity Surveying should be reviewed to include intensive ICT training and use of software in QS practice. In addition, there may be need to train the academic staff in Institutions to become ICT compliant where this is necessary and to support the provision of software and hardware to higher institutions,” the communique ended.

  • Firm unveils precast concrete technology

    Firm unveils precast concrete technology

    As part of the effort to support the Federal Government’s plan to bridge the housing deficit in the country, a fast-pace building construction technology has been introduced into the country’s built environment

    The automated precast concrete technology, renowned globally for speedy housing construction, was presented by CTSR Group, a Nigerian company with franchise from the owners of the technology, Broad Homes Industrial International Company Limited, a subsidiary of Broad Homes Industrial Company, Limited at the just concluded forum of architects, in Lagos.

    The company, according to its officials, offers technical service and consulting in the area of precast concrete manufacturing and construction. Broad Homes, company officials said, is specialised in providing integrated solutions of precast concrete construction, for residential and commercial buildings, public and industrial facilities and infrastructure, for almost 20 years. “By 2014, Broad Homes has expanded the annual production capacity up to 10 million sqm of  construction area, operating 15 precast concrete  factories,” the Chief Executive Officer of CTSR Group, Mrs. Funke, Otti said.

    She said with advanced precast concrete construction technology and expertise, the company is engaged in helping the customers to fully master precast concrete construction technology by delivering the smartest precast factory solution, and providing engineering services, technical consulting services and technical support in the whole lifecycle of construction project. Otti said the automated precast technology is a one-stop shop for housing solutions covering research and development, design, construction,  etc.

    “The technology provides factory made sustainable buildings, featuring reinforced concrete pre casting and is five times more efficient with its energy saving technology. The technology will deliver such advantages that will include quality through the standard manufacturing and assembly processes, predictable schedule and on time delivery which will result in cost savings by reducing market risks and variables,” Otti explained.

    For her, the aim of her firm is to revolutionalise housing construction. To do this, she said, CTSR will initiate a new city development with affordable high-rise apartment buildings, which the new technology can enable the building go up to 30 floors and in the process, save up to  70 per cent of construction time when compared to the traditional construction processes.

    The company, she said, could build in any part of the country and would focus on any place that there is a need for housing, particularly high-rise buildings for now. “We are not saying no to single dwellings but we believe it is cheaper to do multi-floors like the 1004 Estate in Victoria Island because of the cost of land and infrastructure.  We are looking at doing 2,000 to 4,000 housing units that are well-planned with all the green areas, and provision for fire-fighting, so that if you have any emergency you can do something while waiting for the fire service,” she said.

    According to her, setting up the factory is capital intensive but, the cost of not adopting the technology, which has been widely adopted in other parts of the world, could be counter-productive to the set goals. “The initial stake is quite high but we have decided to take the bull by the horn. We believe we need to develop our people and add value to the built environment. This is the reason we have decided to set up a factory here, which is currently under construction,” she submitted.