The Nation Newspaper

Category: Building & Properties

  • Fed Govt upgrades GGW/PIU to agency

    Fed Govt upgrades GGW/PIU to agency

    The Federal Government has upgraded the Great Green Wall/ Programme Implementation Unit GGW/PIU into an agency. The Agency, which is now called The National Agency on Great Green Wall (NAGGW), was approved by the President to address the challenges of Desertification in the Northern parts of Nigeria.

    At the official handing over on Friday in Abuja, the Chief Executive Officer of the agency Goni  Ahmed, said President Goodluck Jonathan saw the need to upgrade the unit because he is passionate about environmental issues. According to him, environmental issues are major issues in the Northern part of Nigeria that affect both economic and social activities of the people leading to abject poverty. He advised the staff to re dedicate themselves to the task ahead with a view to realizing the expectation of President Jonathan and his transformation agenda.

    In his remarks, Dr. Bukar Hassan, the Director, Drought and Desertification Amelioration (DDA), who was also the immediate Head of the (GGW/PIU), thanked the Federal Government for upgrading the unit to a full-fledged agency. He said the PIU which operated under the Federal Ministry of Environment was managed by the Drought and Desertification Amelioration Department (DDA) to curb the menace of desertification. Hassan thanked the workers for the cooperation accorded him and wished the new Accounting Officer/CEO success in his endeavours.

  • Controversy trails N1.5 billion Lagos property

    Controversy trails N1.5 billion Lagos property

    The demolition of a N1.5 billion building in Lagos has become a subject of controversy. While the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) claims it did not order the demolition, the property owners believe it is an illegal move by a government agency to strip them of their property through the back door, reports MUYIWA LUCAS

    Who ordered the demolition of a N1.5 billion, five-storey building on 49 Martins Street, Lagos? This is the riddle that has remained unresolved. The building, located in the heart of the Central Business District on Lagos Island, is now a shadow of its old self.

    While Alhaji Fazazi Oluwole, Alhaja Hadikat Talabi, and the late Alhaja Taibat Shitta, (all siblings) claimed ownership of the property, supporting their claims with the Land Certificate (Deed of Conveyance) obtained in 1942 as proof. The Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), has since emerged to claim the property. It is this new development that has now led to the demolition of the property.

    According to the spokespersons of the family, Mrs. Modinat Onimole and  Mrs. Mutiat Hassan, on October 17, 2014,  LASURA put up a sign post claiming ownership of the property. This, they said, came as a surprise to the family considering that no correspondence existed between the family and LASURA. Surprised by the notice, some family members met with officials of LASURA for clarification.

    “We showed them our proof of ownership to the property; after which they pretended that the matter was settled and we left,”Mrs Onimole said.

    However, unknown to the family, a bigger surprise was in the offing. On October 22,  the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) allegedly sealed the property. Both Mrs Onimole and Mrs Hassan, told The Nation that the family had neither received nor had any form of interaction with the agency, hence, they were shocked at the action.

    The family’s representatives met with the General Manager of LASBCA, Dr. Abimbola Animashaun on October 24,  to make enquiries on the incident. It was while with the LASBCA GM that they were notified of the presence of the agency’s officials at the property, who were alleged to have gone there to remove doors and windows of the building, thereby forcing the tenants to evacuate.

    Although Dr. Animashaun was said to have told the family that notices had been served the property owners and the occupants of the building, and also expressed knowledge of the on-going exercise of that day,  the family, according to their representatives, claimed not to have received any form of notification.

    “The GM of LASBCA claimed they had sent us notices earlier, but we didn’t get any of such. We then asked her to show us a copy of the notices sent, but she couldn’t show us,” Onimole explained.

    The LASBCA boss was said to have explained to the family that on a certain day while she was passing through the area, she had noticed a defect on the building, to be precise, a column in the foundation through which water was seeping out.

    This, The Nation gathered, necessitated the decision by LASBCA to conduct a stress test on the building. The test, she was alleged to have said, showed that the property was distressed, hence, requiring rehabilitation and not demolition. Obviously to show the agency’s sincerity on the structural integrity of the building, Animashaun was said to have told the family to conduct their own independent test if they doubted the authenticity of the one conducted by the agency.

    Onimole told The Nation that Animashaun was emphatic that the building only needed rehabilitation and not demolition, because “there is no demolition permit for the building since such permits must be signed by the  governor; as our duty is to prevent distress building.”

    However, an insight into an obvious reason for the non correspondence between the family and LASBCA manifested during the meeting, when, according to Hassan, the family was told by the LASBCA boss that the building belonged to LASURA.

    LASBCA’s position on the demolition seems to have been corroborated by the response received by the family from the governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola. Worried by the situation, Mrs Onimole said the family sent a text message to Fashola, intimating him of the incident and appealing for his intervention. In response to the family’s text, the governor, through the same means, replied “I have asked them to investigate; I am waiting to hear from them.”

    But the joy the governor’s assurances brought to the family was short-lived. This is because by the evening of October 24, unidentified people had gone to the building to start the demolition. This was after LASBCA officials had removed doors and windows in the building earlier in the day.

    Worried by the development, especially since LASBCA had said it was not demolishing the property, but only meant it to be rehabilitated, Onimole said the family reported at the Ebute-Ero police station. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at the station, Sina Olunlade, a Superintendent, in an apparent bid to prevent an outbreak of law and order, was said to have deployed his men to the property and effected their arrest. However, those arrested were later released since they could not be held beyond 24 hours by the police without the directive of a court of law.

    At a meeting between the family and Olunlade on October 25,  The Nation gathered that the DPO assured them that nobody will go near the property again until the outome of the family meeting with LASURA. However, with the matter now reported at the Police Area Command, Olunlade has had to step aside until he gets further directive from his superior officers.

    In a telephone chat with The Nation,  Olunlade explained that those arrested were labourers brought to work on the property, and had to be released  because they obviously knew nothing about the matter.

    Besides, he explained: “When government wants to carry out such exercise, the Police are usually informed so that adequate security can be provided, but in this case, we were not notified at all. Nobody notified the police, or even my division, of any demolition. But we had to do our job to prevent violence; that was why we moved in when we got the report.”

    He, however, added that after the restoration of order, his men had to back off after the Police Area Command took over the matter. Besides, he said the deployment of a large number of social miscreants “area boys”, he had to caution his men on tactics to deploy in the situation so as to avoid violence. “You know that land or property matter is a civil matter, so we have to be careful so as not to breach public peace. However, once my superior officers give me further directives, I can assure you that my men will act accordingly,” Olunlade said.

    Mrs Onimole and Mrs Hassan said the model deployed for the demolition of the property clearly makes them believe that it was not ordered or sanctioned by the government. The duo explained that given the peculiar location of the property and the advancement in the state, demolition of properties are usually controlled to ensure that such exercises do not pose danger to other citizens.

    Besides, they  argued that the manner of the demolition raised a lot of curiosity. In their reasoning, they both submitted that government officials on legal duty would not come in the night to carry out such exercise on weekends, and then stop on working days, only to resume on another weekend. Also, the equipment used in the exercise, Onimole insisted, clearly showed that it was an illegal demolition by some unscrupulous persons.

    For now, the family said they have taken legitimate steps to address the situation by sending petitions to the state governor and other officials, including the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 Command, in the hope that the situation will be addressed.

    Several efforts to speak with LASBCA and LASURA  proved abortive. Also, no clarification came from LASBCA’s media consultants when contacted. For now, the issue remains unsolved.

  • Engineers set tone for safe building, enviroment

    The proper use of cement for the production of concrete will provide a lasting solution to the incidence of building collapse.

    This is the submission by the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NIStructE) at its just concluded 27th Annual Conference and General Meeting at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos. The theme of the conference was “The Effect of Cement Strength on Concrete Performance.” Cement forms the predominant structural material in the low/medium rise zone of the Built Environment, where the incidence of building collapse is most prevalent in Nigeria,

    For the prevention of the loss of lives and the colossal wastage of resources associated with  incidence of building collapse recommendations were made at the end of the conference to address the situation.

    They included the government backing of competent and qualified practice of structural engineering by legislation. This, according to them, would enable professionals in to design and superintend construction of structures, which buildings are just an aspect, for their integrity, good performance, safety and comfort of the users.

    They also recommended that structural design and supervision of structures should only be handled by competent and qualified professional structural engineers.

    Importantly, stakeholders at the conference recommended that the checking and approval of buildings for construction should be done by, or under the supervision of a competent and qualified structural engineer in the office of the relevant approving authorities.

    They equally recommended that construction of buildings should be handled by a team of competent technical personnel, one of whom must be a structural engineer to ensure the integrity and efficiency of the structure throughout its life span.

    The body noted that concrete forms the main component of any reinforced structure and cement is the binder of the concrete components. “Therefore, for good properties and performance of concrete, the quality of the cement used for the production of the concrete must be such as to produce the designer’s specified strength of concrete,” it said.

    On the issue of suitability of cement grade for specific jobs, stakeholders at the conference agreed that a structural engineer is in the best position to specify the best grade of cement necessary to meet his design specifications.

    They, therefore, canvassed for  more emphasis on the manufacturing process of cement for concrete to ensure that they meet international or country standards, irrespective of their grades by the regulating authorities.

    NIStructE then urged the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to effectively enforce the production of High Yield and Mild Steel rods with characteristic strengths of 460N/mm2 and 250N/mm2 respectively, of appropriate sizes.

    SON, it further recommended, should compel all steel manufacturers to clearly label their products by size and Yield Strength and issue certificates of quality assurance on every consignment.

    Earlier, NIStructE national President, Samuel Ilugbekhai, an engineer, had warned against the use of beach sand, especially in Lagos, for block making and construction of buildings.

    This, according to him, is because of the negative effect of salt (short and long term) on reinforcement and other components of concrete.

    He advised that only clean and portable water should be used for the production of concrete to avoid chemical impurities, which have adverse effects on the concrete.

    Stakeholders at the conference then requested the NIStructE to spearhead more collaboration among SON, Universities, Polytechnics, Research Institutions, Manufacturers and other stakeholders and provide the professional, intellectual and scientific expertise to complement the objectives of ensuring global best practices in the application of cement concrete production.

    The conference was brought together by stakeholders from the industry, manufacturing, government, regulatory bodies, engineering and the academia.

  • Madrid to outperform other European property markets

    Over the next two years, Madrid is forecast to be one of the best performing European office markets, after staging a strong recovery.

    According to Knight Frank’s latest Madrid office market report, prime rents increased by 14percent in H1 2014 to €28.00 per sq m per month.  Office investment has risen sharply, with volumes amounting to €700 million in H1 2014, compared with €400 million for the whole of 2013.

    There has been limited development over recent years, which has helped to stabilise the vacancy rate at 11.5per cent. With limited development in the pipeline, a shortage of good quality stock is expected in the medium term, which is expected to lead to further rental growth.

    At a recent investor breakfast hosted by Knight Frank, a live opinion poll of the 200 attendees showed that Spain was the top target country for investment, chosen by 26per cent of the audience, knocking the UK off the top spot.  This is unsurprising given the strength of the rebound seen in the Spanish market. However, the UK and Germany again featured strongly on investors’ radars, gaining 25.3per cent and 19.2per cent of votes, respectively.

    Humphrey White, Head of Commercial, Knight Frank Madrid, said: “Overall office vacancy stands at 11.5per cent, however, Grade A supply in Madrid’s centre stands at just twoper cent; this, coupled with a 25per cent increase of take up year-on-year, will lead to significant rental growth in the capital. We are also seeing a polarisation of the office market as tenants become more demanding, leading to a flight to quality – the best within the CBD dramatically outperforming others in the immediate surroundings.”

    Darren Yates, Global Head of Capital Markets Research, Knight Frank, added:  “As  2015 approaches, the combination of a more active occupier market, limited development pipeline and low rents offers a realistic prospect of strong rental growth. In turn, this will further increase Madrid’s appeal to investors, leading to yield compression and enhanced growth in capital values. The investment case for Spanish commercial property is compelling.”

     

    —-culled from Knight Frank

  • NITP set to eliminate quacks, unethical practices

    NITP set to eliminate quacks, unethical practices

    The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has stated that it will wield the big stick on any member for unprofessional practice. This was made known by the Institute at its 45th Annual Conference and General Meeting. The body also used the occasion to induct 115 new town planners into its fold.

    The immediate past president of the institute, Mr Steve Onu, also used the occasion to make a charge on his colleagues to eschew unprofessional acts which he said were capable of tarnishing not only their reputation but that of other professionals as well.

    “It doesn’t matter whether you got into this profession by accident, I also did too, but still I was able to rise to the position of the National President. Therefore, the sky is your limit, and as long as you professionalise and internalise what you’ve learnt, you will also make a success of this profession,” he declared.

    Other town planners at the event also called on the new professionals to choose the path of integrity, and keep at arms’ length any negative tendency and desperation for instant gratification.

    Onu listed some of the basic ‘ingredients’ that will help produce a successful town planner to include integrity, fairness, delayed gratification, professionalism, commitment to duty, not giving room for intimidation, especially from other professionals in the built environment, among others.

    In the meantime, when reeling out some of his programmes for the new administration, the new National President, Mr Olomola, said his administration would be working towards improving job creation for town planners, especially by working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the introduction of Land Use Planning Report, which he said the apex bank would be expected to buy into with a view to making it a condition for the opening of any corporate accounts. He said the report would also prove useful in the processing and eventual issuance of C-of-Os for lands.

    He also added that his administration would also work towards completing and putting into good use, the institute’s assets – the Franklin Akinyemi and the Iba Buhari House – in Lagos and Abuja, respectively, among other ideas, which he believes, will help to move the institute forward.

    The AGM also saw to the election of new leaders who will be expected to hold key offices in the institution over the next two years.

     

  • Broll Nigeria appoints new CEO

    Broll Property Services Nigeria, the country’s leading Property Services Company, has appointed Mr. Bolaji Edu as its new Chief Executive Officer. The appointment takes effect from October 2014. Mr. Edu takes over from erstwhile CEO, Mrs. Erejuwa Gbadebo, and will have overall responsibility for Broll’s operations in Nigeria.

    Mr.Edu, who holds a degree in Economics and Business Economics from the University of Hull, UK, and is a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. He brings a wealth of international industry experience to the company.

    Commenting on the appointment, Leonard Michau – Director and Head of West Africa Operations for Broll said: “We welcome Bolaji to our team. His over 18 years’ experience in the real estate market is invaluable and we are confident he will make a significant contribution in continuing to build our presence in Nigeria. Our ability to attract a real estate executive with his record and knowledge reflects Broll’s potential for continued strong growth. We look forward to his leadership in driving and executing on the strategies that will allow Broll to further enhance its position in the industry.”

    Edu expressed joy on the appointment. “I am thrilled and honoured to be the new CEO at Broll Nigeria.  Broll Nigeria is a real estate services firm in Nigeria with over 130 property practitioners in Nigeria and asset under management of $6.4 billion,” he said, adding that his plan is to make Broll Nigeria recognised as the market leader not just in Retail Mall management but in all the other service areas.

    The company will be celebrating its 10 years of operations in Nigeria in November 2014.

  • Lagos celebrates ‘Voices from Slums’

    Lagos celebrates ‘Voices from Slums’

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Toyin Ayinde, has said it is the duty of any responsible government to reduce slum settlements in urban areas. This reason, he said, is the driving force behind the efforts of the state aimed at dealing with slums in the state.

    Ayinde made this declaration at the celebration of this year’s World Habitat Day in Lagos, last week. He said over the years, the state has proactively initiated policies and strategies aimed at addressing challenges of slum dwellers, thereby improving their living conditions.

    He listed some of these measures to include the identification of slums and blighted areas; enactment of Lagos State Urban Renewal Law; establishment of the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency; implementation of urban renewal schemes like that going on in Olaleye-Iponri, Otto-Otumara, Ipodo-Ikeja, Badiya and Agege areas.

    Others, according to him, include the World Bank assisted Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project (LMDGP), upgrading and urban regeneration in 11 slum communities of Isalegangan, Makoko, Ijora-Oloye, Iwaya, Adeniji-Adele Regeneration Project, amongst others.

    The UN-Habitat programme manager for Nigeria, Malam Kabir Yari, noted that given the reality of a rapidly urbanising world in which more city dwellers have more than ever before found themselves in more informal settlements, this year’s celebration, therefore, drew more attention to the plight of urban residents, who today live in conditions that are at best, unacceptable.

    Yari explained that as at 2008, the rapid urbanisation had led to a situation whereby more people around the world were living in urban centres than in rural areas. He further revealed that an estimated 800 million people in the developing world lived in unplanned settlements and several of the major features that have characterised this transformation include the rapid spread of slums, which accommodates about 69 per cent of Nigeria’s total urban population.

    Based on experts’ submissions, Yari disclosed that with Lagos State accounting for just over a quarter of the country’s total urban population and with a growth rate which at 6-8 per cent is about to double the national estimate of 2.9 per cent, it is only expected that the State would have more than is fair share of people living in slum conditions to contend with.

    The guest lecturer at the event, a Professor of Architecture, University of Lagos, Olumide Olusanya, noted that the persistent problem of housing in Nigeria over the last 40 years has to do with inappropriate urban housing types for tropical climate and the inefficient building and construction methods. He regreted that the construction industry has persevered with the same wasteful practices, but expecting a different result.

    He said in the past 30 years, a research and development effort have been ongoing in the Department of Architecture at the University of Lagos, premised on the principle that for research in housing to be useful it must be actualised in practice to transform knowledge into know-how. The practice, he noted, could then in turn inform research to the development of appropriate products.

    The highpoint of the celebration was a drama presentation titled “Snaphots from a slum” by Bode Sowande group.

  • Bermuda is the ultimate Island

    Bermuda has been named as the top island in the world for wealthy people buying real estate, who are seeking the ultimate luxury and private space. Owning a home on these Caribbean islands is one of the ultimate trophy property assets, according to a new report listing the world’s top 20 islands for real estate investment.

    The report, produced by Candy & Candy, Savills World Research and Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management, analysed the global island real estate market based on volume of luxurious property holdings, transport links to mainland markets, sources of capital and occupiers, tax regime and real estate prices.

    ‘A private island is the ultimate trophy asset and financial return is not the primary motivation. These buyers are seeking the ultimate hideaway and a chance to shape their own world. For them, being remote and private are priceless,’ said Nicholas Candy, Chief Executive Officer of Candy & Candy.

    With the price of a typical four-bedroom property in Bermuda now exceeding $4 million, this sought after island has the highest concentration of ultra-wealthy property holdings of any island outside the United States (US).

    Indeed, the list is dominated by several Caribbean Islands with the Bahamas, British Virgin Islands and Antigua all featuring in the top five based on their proximity to the huge wealth generating market of the US, the appealing climate and favourable business environment. Europe’s safe haven, the Channel Islands also features in the top five island locations where property prices have remained resilient during the global economic crisis.

    ‘The last 10 years were the decade of prime urban property investment; the next 10 years will see a growing appetite for island real estate investment and lifestyle,’ said Yolande Barnes, director, Savills World Research, adding that for the world’s wealthy, the pinnacle of achievement is to own what is exclusive and rare, so an island property goes hand in hand with a luxury apartment in a prime city.

    North American Islands including the Hawaiian Islands, the Florida Keys, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard also feature heavily in the top 20 list of hotspots where the second home market is buoyant and prices have exceeded $2 million for a four bedroom property.

    The report identifies four distinct island real estate markets; private islands, which are the ultimate trophy asset; leisure islands for second, third or fourth homes; relocation islands for a permanent lifestyle or business move; and city linked islands for island life but with city convenience.

    ‘When it comes to owning island real estate, there are many motivations driving these purchases. A purchase of passion or for social cachet, a business or relocation move, or a philanthropic desire. Islands can be safe havens during global economic unrest and premier city-linked island real estate can cost up to four times that on the mainland,’ explained Barnes.

    As a small segment of the real estate market, private islands represent the ultimate trophy asset, behaving more like fine art or precious jewellery, operating quite independently of the wider property world.

    According to Salman Madhi, head of Key Clients Relationship Management at Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management, there are three main categories of buyer in today’s market. Firstly developers looking for opportunities to create luxury resorts, wealthy conservationists working in tandem with governments to preserve wildlife havens and high net worth individuals who consider the urban playground to have become too accessible and lost its glamour.

    The report also identifies a number of factors that are changing the shape of island real estate markets including increasing global wealth, new transport infrastructure and philanthropy and conservation.

    The global ultra high net worth population is forecast to grow by 22 per cent by 2018 which will fuel demand for alternative real estate, particularly with a boost from Asia, the region where it is set to grow fastest.

     

    culled from PropertyWire.com

  • 34 winners emerge in LagosHOMS draw

    The Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS) monthly draw organised by the Lagos State Mortgage Board, at its eighth edition, has produced 34 winners out of the 93 applicants that were Pre-qualified.

    This was revealed by the Executive Secretary of the Board,  Akinola Kojo Sagoe, at the draw, saying a total number of 93 applications were received for the month of October, but that 34 winners eventually emerged.

    At the occasion, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, reinterated that the Fashola Administration will not relent on its promise to continue to produce at least 200 Homes every month.

    She appealed to tax-paying residents of the state to key-into the scheme, adding that it is a Lagos State intervention strategy to stem the housing deficit in the country.

    She stressed that as part of the policy thrust of the administration to address the problems of education, transportation, health, food production, road construction, so is the housing sector, which has become a major focus of the administration through the Lagos HOMS.

    Mrs. Adefulire congratulated the new home owners for having the vision to key into the Lagos HOMS. She urged them to continuously spread the news to their families and friends for them to equally benefit from the laudable initiative of Governor Fashola.

    She remarked that the scheme does not encourage discrimination in terms of religion or race, pointing out that people from different parts of the country and different religious backgrounds have won in the past draws and are now proud home owners by just being Lagos residents with evidence of tax payment and the Lagos State Resident Registration Agency Identification Card.

    Amongst the schemes drawn for the eighth edition were houses in Alhaja Adetoun Mustapha and Hon. Olaitan Mustapha Schemes in Ojokoro; Hon Rotimi Shotomiwa Estate in Igbogbo Ikorodu; Igando Gardens in Alimosho; Ilupeju Scheme; Mushin Scheme and Shogunro Scheme 1 and 2 in Ogba.

    He added that in no distant time up-coming schemes such as Sangotedo in Ibeju-Lekki; Omole in Ikeja; Oko-Oba in Agege; Ajara in Badagry; Magodo II and Iponri Schemes will be put up for draws.

  • Enter the Oranmiyan New Town

    Enter the Oranmiyan New Town

    The State of Osun has taken a giant stride aimed at tackling housing deficit in the state, with the creation of Oranmiyan Town, an ambitious project aimed at creating a conducive environment for its citizens. MUYIWA LUCAS, who was at the ground breaking ceremony in Osogbo, last week, reports that the project, when completed, will change property landscape in the ‘State of the Living Spring’.

    For 20 years, various administrations in the State of Osun toyed with the idea of creating a new town in the state capital, Osogbo, but all to no avail. This was after a large expanse of land had been acquired for this purpose as far back as 1965. It was, therefore, understandable when, last Thursday, residents of the state trooped out in their numbers to witness the ground breaking ceremony of the Oranmiyan New Town by the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

    The Oranmiyan New Town, for which 2,572 hectares (6340Acres) of land has been carved out, is located within the capital territory of the State of Osun, in the precincts of the state Secretariat and the Osun Grove. It is made up of seven neighborhoods and has a 42-meter right-of-way main boulevard that cuts across six neighborhoods. Already, over 2, 000 applicants have submitted their forms for the scheme, while a few have received their allocations.

    The Oranmiyan New Town is designed for over 3, 000 residential plots, with the smallest plot being 1, 000 square metres in size. It is expected to cater for an estimated population of over a 100,000 people. Under its proposed development plan, the town will boast of a botanical garden; commercial strips of plots along the major roads; serviced plots; a Downtown/Central Business District (CBD) with varying land uses for religious, educational, commercial and parking purposes.

    Interestingly, a three “Arms Zone” has been created to accommodate the House of Assembly (legislature); proposed High Court and Judiciary Quarters (Judiciary) and the Governor’s Office (Executive), in addition to the proposed new government house. Also, the streetscape boasts of sidewalks and bicycle paths on all major roads with proper landscaping. Recreational features are not limited to parks and gardens. Adequate provision has been made to accommodate a Lawn Tennis Club, Squash Club, 18-Hole-Golf Course and a Polo Ground.

    Also, the new town is expected to have basic infrastructural facilities, utilities and services, such as good road networks, uninterrupted electricity, water reticulation, good drainage system, sewage system and other communal facilities.

    A drive around the large expanse of land revealed that it has been designed to have three major categories of roads: the main boulevard that connects it to the external Osogbo-Gbongan Road from the Nigerian Police Zone II Headquarters’ end. The road has a right of way of 42 metres, broken into the dual carriage ways, median strip, drain and utility lane; the collectors which links the various neighbourhoods with a “Right of Way” of up to 18.6metres; and the distributors and other accesses that give accesses to the various plots and other land uses with a right of way of 11.3metres.

    The scheme has been divided into two categories- residential and commercial plots.

    Owning a parcel of land within the scheme also varies depending on the category and size of plot desired. For instance, potential investors in the residential plots are required to obtain an application form for N10,000, and upon completion, swear to an affidavit on the second page of the form, and submit upon making a premium deposit of N60, 000.

    A premium of N1, 000 per square metre (m2 ), and development levy of N2, 000/m2 , is applicable as payment. Other incidental expenses, such as survey fee, deed preparation fee, deed registration fee and annual ground rent of N15/m2 are applicable. For commercial / industrial plots, the same process applies, but with a higher premium of N1, 500/m2.

    According to the state’s Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Muyiwa Ige, the concept of developing a new town is to provide a balanced and self-contained community as far as possible, in terms of the provisions of infrastructure and community facilities.

    He explained that it is with a view to achieving the concept that Oranmiyan New Town was designed to comprise seven neighbourhoods to accommodate housing of different densities (Low, medium and High); commercial service; industrial and public cum semi-public uses; supported by essential infrastructure and community facilities; such as police posts, community centres, elementary, middle and high schools, places of worship, neighbouhood parks, health and centres, amongst others.

    He said: “Oranmiyan New Town is indeed, a modern town that shall be suitable for living, work, recreating and at the same time, aesthetically pleasing by all standards,” Ige said, adding that it is also for the purpose of creating an urban environment that reflects the unique local flavours of its landscapes and cultural settings, while at the same time aspiring for universal qualities of accessibility, livability, safety and modernity.

    Ige noted that since the creation of State of Osun on August 27, 1991, there has been high influx of people from all walks of life, which has made the capital, Osogbo, almost equidistant from the state’s major cities. This trend of urbanisation, according to Ige, has doubled since the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola came into power on November 26, 2010 till date. He attributed this trend to the government’s “Six-Integral Action Plan”, which he claimed has necessitated the possibility of establishing New Towns in each of the state Senatorial Districts.

    Going down memory lane, Aregbesola, said the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as the Premier of Western Region, had in the early 1960s, acquired a large expanse of land in different parts of the Region for development as Farm Settlement to serve as food baskets and give employment to the younger school leavers in line with global practice.

    Among these farm settlements, was Osun Farm Settlement acquired in Osogbo and Ede covering approximately, 2,572 Hectares (6340 Acres) in ratio of 2:3 respectively. He explained that the land had continued to be used for farming, until after the creation of the state from the erstwhile Oyo State, a development that resulted in the mass movement of people into the state from neighbouring states, apart from the civil servants, who were to relocate compulsorily. With an upsurge in the population, shortage of housing accommodation  became prevalent in the state.

    He said to tackle the problem, an inter-ministerial committee was set up by the state with a mandate of working out a modality for the utilisation of the hitherto, “Osun Farm Settlement” for its highest and best use. It was the recommendation of the committee that has given birth to the creation of the new town, having submitted that the large parcel of land hitherto used as farm settlement, should be converted into a Government Reservation Area (GRA). The change came into effect since 1994 and tagged, ‘Osun GRA, Gbongan Road.’

    The Governor blamed lack of proper urban physical planning, which the state experienced in the past, for some of the challenges of urbanisation, such as perennial flooding, intra-city traffic and transportation problems, unkept environment leading to health hazards being experienced in the state.

    Besides, Aregbesola said, the rate of influx of people from rural to urban area is alarming, a trend that is now leading to development of shanty towns, ghettos and urban decay (slums) and sprawls.

    “Developing New Towns is a common phenomenon all over the world. The purpose of developing a new town is basically to create an environment that is aesthetically pleasing for living, working and recreating. When fully developed, the New Town shall serve as a growth pole to the area surrounding it,” the governor assured.

    Aregbesola gave an insight into how the name “Oranmiyan” was picked for the new town. He explained that it was in order to guard against any communal conflict, rancor and acrimony, noting that the name unites the Yoruba race. “Oranmiyan was known for his courage, astuteness, humility and forthrightness, adding that he was an embodiment of “Omoluabi”, who fought all his days for the unity of Yoruba race. Therefore, naming this town after a Yoruba good leader, Oranmiyan, should be viewed as a way of still bringing more unity within the rank and file of Yoruba sons and daughters,” he clarified.