The Nation Newspaper

Category: Building & Properties

  • Engineers seek legislation on design, construction

    Engineers seek legislation on design, construction

    THE Association of Consulting Engineers (ACEN) has advocated legislation on engineering design, construction and consultancy services in construction industry.

    Prof. V.O.S. Olunloyo made the call in a paper entitled: Advocacy for legislation on engineering design, construction and consultancy in Nigeria, which he delivered at the 34th Annual Conference/Annual General Meeting (AGM) of ACEN.   Speaking on the theme Nigerian content: Where are we, Olunloyo, who is a consulting engineer, said indigenous engineers have been relegated to the  background in favour of  foreign firms due to their mono-disciplinary in composition and interests.

    He said: “Most firms have less than 20 professionals on their role and hardly any with staff strength of 100. We need to be open to the idea of forming consortia when bidding for projects. Evidently, there is marginalisation in favour of multinational or local representatives of multinational firms because they are generally broad-based and multidisciplinary”.

    Olunloyo observed the challenge of negotiating a fair scale of fees because of the poor image they have generated due to the size of their firms, which are not competitive.

    He canvassed the need to form alliances with other groups, such as the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Association of Professional Bodies and others to form critical mass as a pressure group.

    The consulting engineer called for legislation to make provision for outsourcing a stipulated minimum percentage of the project- work given to multinationals to local consultants and by extension make it a condition for registration.  He regretted the absence of institutional organs for involving local professionals in major economic activities and projects.

    He said the government should insist on the auditing and documentation of the use of local consultants and personnel at every stage of an engineering project in the country.

    Special effort, he said, should be made to ensure that the proposed legislation covers emerging technology to create a niche for engineers in the global market especially in the area of software.

    The don said care should be taken to ensure lawmakers are aware that enough experts reside in the country and should therefore to be given first chance and final say in matters of consultancy of public and private building projects.

    A past president of ACEN,  Dr Joseph Folayan, who spoke on The integrity of Nigerian  engineers, said engineers must perform under a standard of professional behavior that requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct, have full regard to the needs of society by protecting  public interest and  preserving the integrity of the profession.

    He said for the public to appreciate the worth of an engineer,  the national engineering body provide an impartial service of high quality in accordance with the national engineering code, co-operate with association in any inquiry with regard to a complaint brought against a member under this code of conduct or any other misconduct.

    Besides, he said the integrity of a particular professional is seen in the code of conduct of the profession and its adherence by her members.

    Folayan urged his colleagues to ensure that their principals and staff conduct themselves in such manner to uphold and advance the integrity, honour and dignity of the engineering profession.

    He added that they must stick to the high ethical standards as enschrined in ACEN Articles and Act in professional matters as a faithful agent or trustee for employers or clients.

    Folayan also insisted that  to ensure integrity engineers must  not affix their signatures or seals to any engineering plan or document dealing with subject matter in which they lack competence by virtue of education or experience or to any such plan or document not reviewed or prepared under their supervisory control.

    Folayan noted that the first law of the engineering profession states that an engineer shall  hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public while the second says: “An engineer  should  ensure  honesty with himself  and restrict his services to only areas of  his competence.”

  • SON seeks standards enforcement in construction sector

    SON seeks standards enforcement in construction sector

    The Director-General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Joseph Odumodu, has called on stakeholders in the building and construction industry to harmonise efforts to ensure that relevant standards are implemented and enforced in the construction sector of the economy.

    Speaking in Lagos at the first graduation of e-building artisan’s project in the country, he commended the artisans who enrolled for the programme to improve on their skills.

    Odumodu, who was represented by an officer of the agency, Mrs Cynthia Ifeagwu, said the diligent implementation of the National Building Code, which came into force since 2006, would help to reduce the incidence of building collapse and the attendant avoidable loss of lives and properties.

    Earlier in his speech, Executive Director of Shelter Watch Initiative, Mr Segun Olutade, said the recent clamp down on Okada riders in Lagos State, would be a blessing to the building/construction industry as good hands that have abandoned the sector would be forced to return.

    He, however, appealed to the Lagos State Government to assist in retraining this group of people to make them useful to the society.

    He regretted that the country loses over N900 billion to foreign governments through foreign artisans rather than ensuring that our ageing artisans are provided with facilities that would aid them in the discharge of their duties.

    He revealed that about 50 retrained artisans were carefully selected for the e-building artisan’s project, saying that they could compete with their foreign counterparts.

    Rector, Lagos State Polytechnic, Dr.  Abdulazeez  Abioye  Lawal, who was represented by Dr A. O. Abayomi, frowned at the over emphasis on certificates and urged  the graduates to be pain-staking in the performance of their duties.

  • NTDA urges Lekki resident associations to work together

    NTDA urges Lekki resident associations to work together

    As part of on-going efforts to ensure infrastructure on government schemes, the General Manager, New Towns Development Authority (NTDA), Lagos, Dr.Yemi Isiba, has urged the Lekki Peninsula Phase I Residential Association (LERA) and others within the scheme to come together under one umbrella to develop the schemes.

    Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, Isiba warned that if residents fail to stem the deterioration in the various schemes, things might get worse and, in the process, reduce the value of their property investment.

    He noted that the review of the Lekki Master Plan was done to accommodate changes necessitated by the dynamics of economics and development.He pointed out that there is no alternative to keeping the scheme in good condition, especially if the quality of their asset must be maintained.

    While emphasising the need to put in place enduring institutions to address the emerging scenario, Isiba explained that the agency would continue to ensure the functionality of infrastructure in government schemes in the face of rapid development and urbanisation  in the state.

    He recalled the disparity in development between the southern and northern part of the  Lekki Peninsula scheme 1 at the onset of his administration , noting that  some residents cited neglect as part of their grouse  with NTDA.

    He, however, said in the past, the major focus of NTDA was to provide well-laid out new towns with functional infrastructure.

    He said the focus has since changed due to the fast rate of development in these schemes, which necessitated the need for sustainability of the schemes.

    “Now we know that it is not just enough to design and the leave scheme. We have a duty to put in place an enduring institution to sustain the created schemes, “he said.

    Isiba appealed to stakeholders to join hands and intervene on issues of security, infrastructure maintenance, neighbourhood monitoring, traffic management and provision of recreational facilities.

    On the importance of good structure, the General Manager said: “It is cumbersome to give authority to each association from the zones. Rather, if the zones come together under the umbrella of a structured authority, such as LERA, then it becomes easier to establish a line of authority, which derives its legitimacy from the government.”

    He asked the residents to see themselves as partners in progress with a responsibility to monitor and report negative activities within the scheme.

    This, he said, is what can ensure the success of the collaboration.

    Also speaking at the forum, Head, Town Planning Services (NTDA), Mrs Adenike Aloba, explained that the Lekki Peninsula Phase I Scheme is the biggest established scheme so far consisting of 1,047 hectares. According to her, the schemes were initially designed as a work, live and play environment but the effects of urbanisation and demand for residential plots had since transformed them.

    The Chief Legal Officer of NTDA, Mrs Folashade Thomas Orogan, told the residents that the authority and the association over the past few months, proposed a draft handbook for regulating Lekki Peninsula Phase I Scheme for the residents.

    In his reaction, the Chairman of the LERA, Mr Oluwole Akala, expressed optimism that the collaboration between NTDA and the association will culminate in developments on the scheme.

    He appealed to residents to embrace the initiative and give necessary support to the association to ensure that the scheme develops.

    This, according to him, would increase the value of properties within it.

  • Experts seek management of health care waste

    Experts seek management of health care waste

    Unprofessional handling of  health care waste has remained a  major cause of  environmental risks and related infections in the country, experts have said.

    They spoke at a two-day National Healthcare Summit in Abuja, entitled: Sustainable healthcare waste management: Our collective and shared responsibility organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Federal Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

    Over 100 experts, with a select few who presented papers on how to protect the populace in health care waste management, attended the event.

    The organisers said the idea behind it was to create awareness on healthcare waste management in the country and explore best practices and available technologies to ensure that health care waste is managed in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner.

    In her keynote address, the Minister of Environment Hajia Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia, said the partnership among the stakeholders would further strengthen collaboration on issues relevant to sound management of health care wastes in the country.

    She spoke on the  need for other players to complement government’s commitment, stating that Public-Private-Partnership in medical waste management can bring greater efficiencies in the sector and improve quality of service.

    The minister, who was represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mrs. Olabisi Jaji, revealed that the  Federal Ministries of Environment and Health have developed a draft National Healthcare Waste Management Policy and Strategic Plan in consultation with stakeholders to provide guidance and standards for the management of healthcare wastes in the country.

    She expressed the hope that the event would inspire policy makers and the legislature to design proactive policies and laws that will assist in managing healthcare waste in a sound environment.

    Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr Taye Haruna, highlighted the importance of  waste health care waste and the on-going government policy initiatives targeted at addressing its challenges.

    The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by Director of the Pollution Control & Environmental Health Department, Mrs. O. O. Babade, said unsafe healthcare waste management practices remains a major cause of human exposure to environmental risks and other infections in the country.  Goodwill messages were presented by the Managing Director of Lagos Waste management Authority(LAWMA), Mr Ola Oresanya; representative of the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Dr. Edemma Udoh, Commissioner of Environment for Plateau State, Mrs. Sarah Yusuf and Country representative AIDSTAR-One, Dr. A.O. Sowande.

    At the end of the event, they commended the Federal Government for providing incinerators in tertiary health institutions to boost their health care waste management  capacities.They decried the dearth of national legislative framework on waste management in Nigeria and  the delay in finalising the adoption of the draft National Health Care Waste Management Policy and Strategic Plan.

    They recommended the establishment of national inventory on health care waste management to support evidence-based interventional scheme implementation in addition to asking that the summit be organised in the six geopolitical zones to stimulate participation by states and other relevant health care waste management sectoral players in collective decision making.

    They urged the government to integrate sound healthcare waste management into the national school curricula to promote information and knowledge sharing in the society.

  • Beyond Third Mainland Bridge opening

    Beyond Third Mainland Bridge opening

    The Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos opened to traffic last Tuesday after four-month repairs on its eight damaged joints. The reopening has, however, thrown up issues on the state of the nation’s roads and bridges.While some observers commended the Federal Government for completing the repairs before the scheduled date, others stressed the need for repairs of other threatened bridges and roads, especially as the yuletide approaches. OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE reports

    The repairs on the Third Mainland Bridge, which started in July, began after heightened fears by residents that the bridge might collapse due to cracks and shaking as people drive on the bridge.

    While the repairs lasted, the bridge was partially opened to users at stipulated hours of the day except for days that it was fully closed for major works to be undertaken by Borini Prono, the contractor.

    Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, had pledged at the inception of the contract on the commitment of the government to do a thorough job on the bridge due to its strategic nature. This, he also said, informed the choice of the contractor because of their proficiency and track record on bridge construction.

    The minister explained that the contractor employed hydro demolition technique with high pressure water jet to remove the concrete around the joints, a technology  that was not readily available in the country.

    He also said one of the unique things about the repairs is that it was not only completed in 10 days ahead of schedule but also within budget.

    The reopening of the bridge came as a welcome relief to motorists and commuters, who have had to connect Lagos Island, Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah and Epe from different parts of the mainland through Western Avenue due to restriction of vehicular movement on the bridge from noon to midnight, though opening for movement to the mainland within the same time. While the repairs lasted, commuters suffered the ordeal of long traffic snarl with loss of business, especially for traders on the Lagos Island as most people avoided  going there.

    A trader at Apagbon, Mr Uke  Okechukwu, said his business suffered a great deal during the course of  the bridge repairs  as  his customers failed  to come  and patronise  him fearing the traffic gridlock.

    He hailed the quick intervention on the bridge, especially as the yuletide is fast approaching. According to him, it will be boom time again for customers.

    For Mrs. Atinuke Ajose, the completion of the bridge, has brought a lot relief  to her and others, who need to come to the island. She commended the repairs done but asked that other bridges  and highways  should also be investigated  and worked on to ease both human and vehicular movement.

    A bus driver, who plies from Berger to Obalande, Mr Hafis Ismail, also lamented how much he lost during the repairs  due to traffic snarl and diversions. He said though the cost and sacrifice was much on the part of transporters who make a living daily by taking people and goods from one point to the other. He, however, said it was worth it as he feels safer driving on the bridge now than before due to the heightened fear of collapse of the bridge.

    But an inter-state transporter Mr Goodness Igbenedion, tasked the Federal Government on the need to put pressure on the various contractors on the nation’s highways to sped up action on the various  road projects they are handling to alleviate the sufferings of people on the road, especially as Christmas is fast approaching.

    He cited the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Abuja-Lokoja, Port Harcourt-Enugu, the River Niger Bridge, among others.

    Responding to the apprehension of the public, the minister promised that the government would move to other bridges and roads that require immediate attention to   alleviate the sufferings of the people. He commented on the completed of the Third Mainland Bridge. “There is a need for the laid pipes to be strengthened so that the street lights could work. Indeed, the Federal Government would take a step further and rehabilitate the street lights as quickly as possible”.

    Some analysts had frowned at the fact that the light on the bridge is  not working; that it is exposing the public to danger at night  due to the nefarious activities of armed robbers on the bridge.

    The minister said: “The ministry would now move to the Marine Bridge in Lagos, Murtala Muhammed Bridge in Lokoja and other bridges requiring attention across the country before the end of the year, to make travelling easy.”

    Keen watchers of the industry are, however, optimistic that with recent developments, the public may be in for  a good time as far as the highways and bridges  are concerned in the future.

  • Demolition: FCTA, REDAN begin talks

    •Set-up committee to verify documents

    A ray of hope came the way of developers on the Lugbe/Airport road in Abuja at the weekend as the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) agreed to work out modalities to resolve ongoing estate demolition crisis in the area.

    FCTA had declared all estates on the road illegal and earmarked no few than 37 of them for demolition.

    However, at a forum organised by REDAN and the Department of Development Control, the parties set-up a 13-member committee that would verify the status and documents of each estate along the route and make recommendations to them.

    The committee comprises representative of some Department under FCTA, Development Control, Urban and Regional Planning, Survey and Mapping, Land and the Abuja Geographical Information System, FCT Urban & Regional Planning Tribunal, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and REDAN.

    It was further agreed that the committee, which is expected to begin work immediately, would, at the end, come up with reports and recommendations that would be submitted to the National Assembly Joint Committee on FCT.

    It would be recalled that the National Assembly had waded into the matter following the controversies generated by the demolition of over 500 houses in three estates- Minanuel, Oluyole and Geofra estates – in the area.

    The Acting Director, Department of Development Control, Mr Hamza Madaki, said: “ If we have problem, it is only by telling ourselves the truth that we can move forward. It is not about trading blames. The National Assembly has given a directive that we should suspend demolition and fashion a way to get to the root of the matter and that is the whole essence of this meeting.

    “We are not happy in removing anyone’s building. We are not callous but we did what we did because it was necessary. Our intention was to remove all the estates. We only started with Minanuel Estate and the other two, until the National Assembly waded in. It is our hope that setting up this committee will enable us to find a lasting solution.

    “The truth must be told. What happened is that the government did not envisage any estate on the airport road. If it would be any layout, there is no one that would be done outside the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. There is no way AMAC would have its own layout outside what had earlier been laid out.

    “This is why we say, the approvals they gave for the estates are fake. Approving estates by AMAC is not even part of their schedule. AMAC couldn’t have given approval because they don’t have the professional competence to do such. Maybe there are syndicates in AMAC doing this and this is why we must get to the root of the matter. We must investigate.

    Honestly, it is a big problem. We must fight and this is why we must fight it. Not only in Lugbe, this issue of forgery is everywhere in Abuja and this is why we must fight it. We are not contending that any allocation in AMAC is fake because we are aware they give some allocations. But it is advisable that when dealing with AMAC, you write and get response in writing because a staff member in AMAC can deny giving such documents.”

    Earlier, Hamza, who led the team from Development Control, noted that the government did not envisage any estate development on the airport road, particularly because of its strategic location and AMAC has no authority to grant building approvals for estate development. Though AMAC is an extension of FCDA, it doesn’t have the power to approve estates.

    Speaking on behalf of developers at the forum, the National President of REDAN, Chief Olabode Afolayan, said this was one of the right steps to find a lasting solution to the problem, assuring the public that the outcome of the decision reached would be in their interest.

    Addressing the issue of fake land documents, Afolayan said it had been agreed that the committee would fish-out those responsible for the illegal act, adding that finding a solution to the Lugbe crisis was paramount to REDAN and as such, the association was ready to support the government on the matter.

  • Ondo threatens to sack road contractors

    Ondo State Government has threatened to sack contractors who are delaying the completion of  on-going road projects  in the state.

    There had been criticisms from various quarters on the poor condition of roads in the state, particularly in Akoko area of the state.

    The state Commissioner for Works, Gboye Adegbenro, gave the warning during a meeting with consultants and contractors handling major road projects in the state.

    He directed the contractors to take the advantage of the dry season to move their equipment, materials and personnel to their various sites for serious business.

    He said: “We are using this opportunity to advise all contractors to maximise the advantage of the current dry season to deliver their projects as schedule because the state government will not hesitate to sack any erring contractors”.

    He said the administration has been living up to its responsibilities by paying contractors promptly whenever their certificates are raised and duly certified by the consultants and government officials.

    The Commissioner said there should be no excuse for any contractor not to perform by delivering projects being handled by them to alleviate the pains and sufferings of people who are plying the roads.

    He maintained that the Mimiko administration would not deviate from delivering quality service, urging contractors to adhere strictly to the specifications while executing the projects.

    Adegbenro reiterated the commitment of the state government to complete projects as scheduled and promised that the administration would deliver more dividends of democracy to the people of the state in its second term.

    He said his ministry will, in the next few days, embark on site inspection and that the contract of any contractors whose job was considered unsatisfactory, would be reviewed.

    Some representatives of the various firms handling road projects in the state, who spoke on the occasion, commended the state government for the prompt payment of their bills.

    They pledged to move more personnel and equipment to sites immediately to maximise the advantage of the dry season.

  • Oyo fixes Iwo road interchange

    CONTRACTORS are fixing failed sections of Iwo Road in Ibadan, Oyo State capital. The road, dualised by the administration of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, broke down four years after it was fixed.

    The state government has hired Messrs Jotop Multi links International Ltd to fix three sections of the long stretch of the interchange on the Iwo Road-Leyland-Olodo, which have become almost impassable.

    The affected areas are: Iyalode portion of Monatan High School, Wofun and Oyeniyan. They are all within Lagelu Local Government Area of the city.

    Nasir Folorunso, a engineer with the firm handling the repairs and reconstruction, said the four-year-old road had for almost two years, been in a state of disrepairs, thereby hampering vehicular and causing traffic gridlock.

    He said his firm was mobilised few weeks ago by the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration to redesign the failed portions in tandem with specification of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation.

    According to Folorunso, not only was the drainage re-channelled and upgraded to concrete, the company also widened its depth to allow free flow of water and fortify the road against flood.

    Besides, the company, he said, made provision for pedestrian walkway as contained in the contractual agreement it signed with the government through its Works Ministry.

    He assured that the road already being asphalted would soon be opened to vehicular traffic, saying that the company has been working round the clock to ensure that the failed portions are repaired.

    Reacting to the rehabilitation, a regular user of the road, who identified himself as Lamidi Kolawole, said commuting on the road had become a nightmare to residents in the area.

  • NSE, firm donate software to 12 varsities

    NSE, firm donate software to 12 varsities

    The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and MIDAS Software have presented software and licences to 12 universities for training and research.

    The universities include: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Unversity, Bauchi; University of Maiduguri, University of Ilorin, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

    Others are: Federal University of Technology Owerri, Bayero University Kano, Ahmadu Bello Univesity,  Zaria; Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcour;, University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife and University of Benin.

    During the presentation in Abuja, NSE’s President Mr Mustafa Balarabe Shehu said more varsities would benefit in the future.

    He said: “NSE has selected 12 Nigerian uiversities across the six geo-political zones as centres for training, application and research on these Midas software applicable in civil, structural, geotechnical, mechanical and special projects.

    “Midas IT is donating 25 licences of the software to each university, a total worth of over US$1.7milion  (N272million) to the 12 selected universities for training and research programme.

    “This is special and should be part of history both for the NSE and the Nigerian education sector in promoting engineering education and learning as well as enhancing professional competence and development of Nigerian engineers and students of engineering.

    “These universities are advised to provide the enabling environment that will promote the programme among engineering researchers, students and practising engineering in their zones.

    Note that the NSE branches and the headquarters will be working with the universities on this programme to ensure sustainability.

    “I want the management of these universities and the executives of the various NSE branches to assiduously work together in their zones, so as to actualise the noble objectives of this initiative of improving the skills and competencies of Nigerian engineers for the development of engineering and technology in the country, while NSE will continue to monitor the progress and result of these programmes,” he said.

    Regional Manager,MIDAS Software, Ravi Kiran, said they were using use the gifts to expand their business in Nigeria.

    “It is basically a Korean software, which we are introducing into the market. We intend to start with the universities because they need it the most right now,” he said.

  • Reps blame FERMA, contractor for state of N300m road project

    Reps blame FERMA, contractor for state of N300m road project

    Members of the House of Representatives’Committee on  have expressed shock over a project in Niger State that has not been started, despite that the contractor has been mobilised to move to site.

    The lawmakers were on an oversight function in the state to ascertain the level of implementation of this year’s budget.

    Four of five projects allocated to the state have been awarded and mobilisation paid by FERMA.

    However, on-the-spot assessment of the projects contradicted the reports given to the committee, which showed that work had started on one of the roads as the contractor had been mobilised.

    But the contractor handling the project, Enerco Nigeria Limited, claimed it has not been mobilised.

    A member of the committee,  Abdulrazak Zaki, said: “We are angry because they misled us. We were told that work has commenced on site only to get here and discover that it was at zero level. We would not have embarked on this tour if documents presented to us by the agency showed otherwise.

    While he questioned the essence of the oversight, the lawmaker alleged connivance between the agency and the contractor on the state of the project.

    “What is the essence of our coming here? We are not happy and our job is to let Nigerians know what is happening.

    We are not here to cover anything up. To me, the so- called fight against corruption by the Executive is just a farce because they give cover to corruption,” he added.

    Another member, Dr Abiola, said the discovery has supported the need for physical inspection of infrastructural projects across the country by the lawmakers.

    “It is rather unfortunate to have travelled all the way from Abuja, over such a long distance only to see nothing and all we could hear was that the contract was awarded two weeks ago and nothing to show for it.

    “When the legislators are showing concern over the level of budget implementation for 2012, that it is nothing to write home about, it is for occurrences like this.

    “It shows insincerity on the part of the agency, because I want to believe that there is no reason for this lack of activity if they have been given money. I just don’t understand the reason we should be taken to where nothing is happening. That is just the most ridiculous aspect of it,” she said.

    Chairman of the Committee, Gregory Chukwuegbo, who also expressed disappointment, however, corrected the impression of being misled to a zero performance site, saying: “ I believe why we were brought here was that we requested for the 2012 budget, but the on-going Mokwa project was for 2010/2011 budget year.”

    According to the Chief Maintenance Engineer, who disclosed that about N300million would be spent to recover the 20km affected portion of the 165km road, the project was to make the road motorable and prevent it from collapse.

    The committee promised to return to the site before the end of the year to ascertain progress of work.