Category: Building & Properties

A REAL estate firm, Landwey Investment Limited, has introduced a model called ‘WeyFlex’ to provide homes for Nigerians across the country.

The firm also launched the Project Experience Centre to showcase components and designs required for housing.

At the launch, the firm’s Chief Executive Officer, Olawale Ayilara, said: “WeyFlex was designed to offer Nigerians the opportunity to own FlexVilla homes in over 20 locations nationwide, with a variety of design options to choose from, providing an instant modification to taste and standard whether for residential or investment purposes.

“Owing to several factors, many Nigerians, at home and in the Diaspora struggle to find a home in their preferred locations. These factors often range from the rising cost of land purchase in metropolitan areas like Lagos, demand for quality countryside homes that meet all regulatory standards, ease of construction for those in the diaspora, among others.”

On the benefits of WeyFlex and the LandWey Project Experience Centre, he said the WeyFlex was designed for ease and convenience, affording Nigerians, both home and abroad, control over where they want their next home to be, how they want it to look and when they want it to be delivered.

“The LandWey Project Experience Centre transcends boundaries and limitations to showcase the different structural designs, building types, e-brochures, interactive 3-D designs and other virtual experiences to ease the home buying process,” he added.

THE Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka has said the new Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) law will make real estate transactions   conform with global and professional best practices.Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu signed the Bill into Law recently.

She explained that the law protects individuals from illegal real estate transactions from fraudulent persons and organisations in the sector in the state.

She stated: “The tenancy of below five years are expected to be registered with the agency to have data warehouse of transactions, persons, organisations in the sector.It is an offence for an individual or organisation to engage in real estate business in the state without being registered with the agency.” She urged operators to comply with the provisions of the new Law.

The Special Aide added that the new law would contribute to the ease of doing business in the state by curbing fraudulent and sharp practices as well as discouraging unregistered practitioners from doing business in the sector.

She said the new law has professionalised real estate practice, stressing that the minimum educational requirement to practise in the state is West African School Examinations (WASC) certificate in addition to certification from a professional agency which has power to organise stakeholders’workshops and training periodically.

Intercontinental Park, developed by Aimart Realtors, is a hub for social, economic, business, religious and recreational activities in the Ibeju-Lekki axis of Lagos State. The mixed­used development has a layout of about 20 acres of land. OKWY IROEGBU-­CHIKEZIE reports.

THE Atlantic City is conceived to be within another city with the reality of being part of a hub with multiple streams of income flowing in within a layout of about 20 acres (approximately 139,000 square metres).

It has the Central Business District harbouring the maritime school, hospitals, schools (which Holy Child has keyed into), hospitality, residential apartments, and resort centres.

In the city is Intercontinental Park being developed by Aimart Realtors. The Chief Executive Officer, Aimart Realtors, Martin Iluyomade, said the estate is guaranteed to be among the best in terms of ambiance, spotlight, and developmental delivery.

“It is conceived as an eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable gated community offering exceptional facilities and services that will foster qualitative living, better health, improved communal relationships, a five star hotel and social engagement within the most affordable and cost-effective means. Suffice to say we mean business and will deliver on all projected works to be done on-site, Intercontinental Parks holds full land title with Certificate of Occupancy,” he added.

Chairman, Ibeju­Lekki Local Government, Sesan Oluwa commended the mixed­used development in the ‘new Lagos’, adding that it is strategic with the deep seaport, rail line, cargo airport and the Dangote Refinery about three-minute drive away. He said the Federal and state governments are committed to providing competitive infrastructure in the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFZ) such as planned expansion of the road and a rail line.

Chairman, lkorodu West Local Government, Lanre Sulaimon also corroborated his colleague on the commitment of government to support the private sector to thrive.

Managing Director Aimart Realtors, Bukola Iluyomade said they were working with some financial institutions such as the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and Lagos Building Investment Company (LBIC) to provide financial instruments to help prospective clients. “In our retail component we ensured we came up with our residents’ needs such as malls, recreation areas, schools, among others. Our anchor tenants are already visible and before the end of the year, the picture will be clear,” she added.

Earlier, Aimart, Business Development Manager, Azeta Abahi said the project would encourage a tech hub and will also be self-sufficient for residents to work, live and play.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu has  approved the creation of Tertiary Drains Squad (TDS) in the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in the state.

The Special Adviser on Drainage and Water Resources, Joe Igbokwe, made this known at the second stakeholders’ meeting with LGs and LCDAs on cleaning and maintenance of tertiary drains in Lagos.

According to Igbokwe, the Squad will complement the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang at the state level to ensure that tertiary drains properly discharge into primary and secondary drains.

He explained that with the employment of 50 drainage attendants that would be paid a minimum of N35,000 monthly, the councils would spend less, but achieve more, compared to what they spend to clean tertiary drains.

He added that each council must adopt the strategy that suits it.

He rereiterated that the meeting was one of the measures put in place to enable the state and local governments strategise on drainage channels.  He declared that it was high time that LG and LCDAs take ownership of tertiary drains to reduce the pressure of desilting and cleaning of the secondary and primary channels where the state government has continued to engage human and financial resources.

“I am confident that this second forum will afford us the opportunity to agree on best practices to resolve all the issues concerning the cleaning and maintenance of tertiary drains which are the drains that run across our tenements and how local councils should be at the forefront of monitoring and compelling residents to clean the tertiary drains across the state,” he said.

Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Lekan Shodeinde said the time had come for councils to take up their constitutional roles of tertiary drainage maintenance, stressing that all hands must be on deck as the administration is determined to ensure a flood-free Lagos.

in line with the vision the State Government.

Shodeinde explained that there should be no excuse of inhibitions from political leaders in the discharge of their duties as far as such projects and intentions are well laid out.

He said they must be bold to tackle challenges of having a cleaner environment, by always insisting on the right action always in a bold way meeting is about seeking continuous buy- in of the Local Government Councils/LCDAs in ensuring the regular cleaning of the tertiary drains across the 57 to complement the effort of the State towards regular maintenance and cleaning of the secondary and Primary channels.

He disclosed that the State Drainage Engineers and Coordinators are available in all our 57 Local Governments Areas and Local Council Development Areas to complement the efforts of Local Government Councils with the maintenance and cleaning of tertiary drains at all time.

He appealed to Lagosians to always report cases of drainage blockages, indiscriminate dumping of waste into canals and other unauthorized places to the state Government through the CITIMONITOR APP from Google play store and IStore to report any environmental infraction across the state.

In his remarks, President, Head of Sanitation in Local Governments, Dr Samuel Akingbein appealed that such meetings would in future involve the Physical Planning authorities.

He said this has became necessary because many infractions especially construction on tertiary drains have often been attributed to planning authorities.

Real estate development company RevolutionPlus has insisted

that the company has always met its obligations to its clients and that its businesses are transacted in a transparent situation. It also stated that they have always upheld integrity  with   subscribers to their estates.

According to a statement in Lagos, which was signed by its managementin a reaction to a complaint by one of its clients on social media, RevolutionPlus stated that the company would not take for granted the investment subscribers to its housing estates have made to the company and that the firm is built on integrity and trust which has remained its mode of operation over the years.

“We wish to state that as it is with every business entity, there will always be a few dissatisfied customers but issues are better resolved when grievances are directed to proper channels for prompt attention,’’ the company advised.

While admitting that there could be delays in subscribers getting their allocations due to default in payment or when some fully paid allocations that are to be sent to the surveyor for processing as a batch have not been completed.

RevolutionPlus also stated that inability of the subscriber to pay up within the agreed period of three to 18 months and without any request for a payment extension, such a client would be out of contract and would be asked to either move to another estate with previous payment transferred to the new estate or request for a refund with a 40 per cent deduction as stated in the contract signed at the commencement of the deal.

RevolutionPlus stated that allocations in its over 40 estates located in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers States and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja are done in batches and that between 2020 and now, it has done 40 batches of allocations in 26 of the 40 estates which include 14 estates in Lagos, three in Ibadan and Abuja as well as four in Abeokuta.

The statement further exonerated the company’s brand ambassadors Odunlade Adekola, Toyin Abrahams and Broda Shaggy of any wrongdoings declaring that the management of RevolutionPlus led by Bamidele and Tolulope Onalaja are committed Rotarians and people of proven integrity while Bamidele is the chairman, Real Estate Development Association of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter.

THE Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) has called on the Lagos State government to enact a law that requires periodic monitoring and deformation study of buildings that are above two floors and specifically high rise structures.

Chairman, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Lagos State Branch, Olukolade Kasim stated this at 17th Annual Adekunle Kukoyi Memorial Lecture. It had as theme: Why are Nigerians hurting and lamenting, 61 years after Independence?”

Speaking further, he pointed  out that   the proposed law on building collapse in the state would ensure not only the safety of lives and property, but also restore investors confidence in the real estate sector as it contributes significantly to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the state.

He canvassed the need for professionals to be engaged in construction and the elimination quacks and the strengthening of regulations to deter non-compliance.

Earlier, a guest lecturer, Brig.-General Larinde Laoye enjoined Nigerians to preach moral values, support the government, tow the path of decency, unity and stop blame games. He canvassed an urgent and proactive approach to addressing national issues.

He stated that the military had contributed to the unity and stability of Nigeria but regretted that corruption and greed have eaten deep into the fabrics of the society.

At the event, awards were given to winners of the 17th Annual Adekunle Kukoyi Memorial Lecture Essay competition, tertiary institutions and secondary schools categories.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-­Olu has kicked off the construction of the Ojota-Opebi link bridges and approach roads conceived 20 years by past administrations. He also promised to revive other abandoned projects. OKWY IROEGBU­-CHIKEZIE reports.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made history recently when he commenced the construction on the abandoned Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge and approach roads project, initiated over 20 years ago.

To achieve the administration’s goal and have a major interchange at Maryland, he said the two petrol stations on both sides of Maryland were acquired from their owners to, not only reduce travel time and gridlock from Opebi and Ojota, but also increase life expectancy.

Sanwo-Olu said his administration recognised the need to provide another legacy project by constructing the Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge and approach roads to connect Opebi Road with Lagos-Ikorodu road by Odo Iya-Alaro to ease the heavy traffic at Opebi-Sheraton Link Road and Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way.

Sanwo-Olu said the kick off demonstrated the priority his administration accorded the welfare the people, noting that the project is a testament of its commitment to the Greater Lagos Vision in line with the Traffic Management and Transportation Pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of his administration.

His words: “We have a firm conviction that the 3.89-kilometre Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge and Approach Roads will, upon completion, inject considerable life into the socio-economic activities of the thousands of people who live, do business or use the road to connect to their various destinations.

“We recognise the strategic importance of road infrastructure to sustainable development, which explains our administration’s focus on the provision of road infrastructure to achieve some pre-conceived targets like reduced travel time on our roads (by saving important man-hours that would have been otherwise lost to traffic); enhanced inter connectivity, provision of better riding surface and elimination of traffic gridlock while making life more meaningful to commuters in Lagos State.

“We have committed substantial resources to the provision of quality road, waterways, and rail infrastructure to the people of Lagos and we have, so far, expended billions of Naira to modernise highways, upgrade our road infrastructure, complete projects inherited from the previous administration, and replace the lighting systems on our roads.”

He maintained that his administration would continue to promote economic prosperity through sustainable road infrastructure all over the nooks and crannies of the state..

He reiterated the strategic importance of road infrastructure to sustainable development, which  he said, explained his administration’s focus on provision of road infrastructure to achieve some pre-conceived targets like reduced travel time on our roads; enhanced inter-connectivity; provision of better riding surface and elimination of traffic gridlock, while making life more meaningful to commuters in Lagos State.”

Speaking further, Sanwo-Olu averred that his administration initiated the construction of a 37- kilometre track rail project, which has steadily progressed and was boosted with the recent acquisition of two sets of 10-car-Talgo330kmph trains for the Lagos Red Line rail project, in addition to the overhaul of the water transportation system so that the state can achieve an efficient and safe transport system that suits its megacity status and befits a 21st Century economy.

“I am excited to inform you that since the inception of this administration almost three years ago, we have shown our commitment to the continued construction and maintenance of road infrastructure by completing, commissioning and handing over 65 road projects and several other improved junctions, while more than 50 others are at various stages of completion.

“This is in addition to the maintenance of over 832 roads, covering approximately 252km direct intervention in the form of routine maintenance and palliatives works on strategic roads (complete and sectional overlay and potholes patching) by the Lagos State Public Works Corporation,”

Member representing Ikeja Constituency at the House of Representatives, James Faleke; member representing Ikeja Constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adedamola Kasunmu and the Chairman, Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area, Oladotun Olakanle, commended the governor for giving Ikeja the project, which they described as a dream realised.

Earlier, Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Aramide Adeyoye,  an engineer, explained that the Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge and approach road was conceived over 20 years ago but that Sanwo-Olu ensured that it became a reality.

According to her, “The flag-off of the project, which is to create direct link between the Opebi-Maryland-Ogudu-Third Mainland Bridge, as conceived in the Lagos State Transportation Master Plan (STMP), again, clearly demonstrates the huge commitment of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration towards discharging the social contract with Lagosians, by embarking on major infrastructure that will further promote socio-economic development of the state.”

Talent City, a revolutionary community founded by serial African techpreneurs, is moving to Alaro City, Lagos’ new city in the Lekki Free Zone.

Talent City is an innovative community designed and built for the future of work, where remote work-friendly policies, co-living, speedy internet and reliable infrastructure seamlessly integrate with an unrivalled digital experience.

Founded by Nigerian impact entrepreneur Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, formerly of African unicorns Andela and Flutterwave, and Luqman Edu, Chief Visionary Officer and Managing Director of Filmo Real Estate, Talent City will transform the African tech landscape for good.

Talent City is built upon three pillars – a robust technology ecosystem, quality infrastructure and digital governance – and strives to create an ideal work environment and community.

Talent City has the ambition to roll out additional model cities in Africa.

“We are thrilled to announce our first Talent City location in Lagos. Along with our partners, we have acquired a 72,000 sqm plot in Alaro City, Lagos’ new city in the Lekki Free Zone.

“Our prototype city will be home to 1,000 residents and 2,500 remote workers, featuring a central co-working campus along with a variety of housing options designed for a flexible remote-friendly lifestyle of the future,” Aboyeji said.

Alaro City is planned as a 2,000-hectare mixed-income, city-scale development with homes, offices, schools, healthcare facilities, hotels, entertainment and 150 hectares (370 acres) of parks and open spaces.

“We are pleased to welcome the innovation and innovators of Talent City to Alaro City, where they will find an equal partner in actualising Talent City’s revolutionary ambitions in the technology ecosystem,” Yomi Ademola, Managing Director, Alaro City added.

With more than 3.5 kilo metre of initial road networks and an eight-lane main boulevard with designated cycling lanes under construction, Alaro City provides world-class power, water and sewerage infrastructure.

Alaro City’s benefits include zero corporate income tax on free zone income, zero withholding tax on dividends, zero VAT, no customs duties on imports as well as exemptions from FX controls.

The new city is close to the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the planned Lekki international airport, both of which will be critical drivers of growth in the Lekki Free Zone and Nigeria.

The 21-storey in Ikoyi, Lagos, being built by Fourscore Homes suddenly collapsed on November 1, last year, trapping the developer and workers. Another two-storey under construction at Osapa London in the Lekki-Ajah axis of the metropolis also went down. Never has there been such a monumental destruction in quick succession in Lagos. However, the Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, says it would have been worse, but for the rescue efforts, topnotch equipment and emergency preparedness. He spoke with OKWY IROEGBU­CHIKEZIE.

The incident signposts gaps in building regulations in the state as the debate over how many floors that were approved and how many that were eventually built continues.

Observers and professionals in the built environment said the official attitude towards building regulations is still largely carefree; coupled with sharp practices on the part of the regulators, which have given room for developers to cut corners with resultant frequent building collapse disasters wrecking the society.

Others have also said disasters are meant to happen but that the important thing is the response time, rescue and recovery efforts of the agencies concerned. Several building failures have been witnessed in Nigeria and Lagos in particular but the difference has been in the manner of preparedness and execution.

Several factors are being listed among which is  the undue competition of professionals in the sector, quackery, failure of the regulatory role of the state building agency, LASBCA and the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory saddled with laboratory tests and services on soil, concrete, steel, chemical, calibration, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), and geo-techniques for buildings, among others.

Citing the collapse of the 21-storey building in Ikoyi, Lagos  where  rescue efforts lasted two weeks with 15 people recovered alive but about 50 recovered  dead in the addition to the gamut of investment in equipment, human and material resources deployed, the LASEMA boss said  the effective management of disaster is about planning and preparedness  and the abundance of  resources in  human  and material resources.

Oke-Osanyintolu said Governor Sanwo­Olu is committed to protecting lives and properties in the state. He said the THEME’s agenda of the governor is the guiding principle of LASEMA in the discharge of her duties.

On how they got it right and saved lives at the collapse site and other fire outbreaks such as tanker fire, especially around the notorious Otedola Bridge, markets and other places in the state, he said: “We have done vulnerable and risk analysis and have provided   adequate equipment that can handle all emergencies in record time. We are building fire hydrants and the state fire service is  standing alone as an agency.

“When the 21-storey building in Ikoyi came down, we were the first responders and we managed it effectively. The building collapse in Ikoyi is a national disaster but we took ownership of it. The governor who is the incident commander was there to give us the moral capital. Before  now, he had provided us with enormous funds to procure  sophisticated equipment, in terms  of light and heavy duty with that we rose up to the occasion and  saved 15 lives  and recovered   50 bodies intact. The destruction is a major disaster of high magnitude that is supposed to be tackled, in conjunction with a Federal Government’s agency tasked with it, but we took ownership and performed to the optimum.’’

According to him, despite the population density of the state and infrastructure such as airport, seaport and movement of articulated vehicles across the state, we were able to reduce the morbidity level of this collapse. We have modern and equipped hospitals that we evacuate people from incidence scene   for urgent medical care.

“As an agency, we are passionate about what we do. We have built capacity, we have emergency committees in all the 57 local governments.  We have a local emergency committee in all local government areas and in all our hospital,’’ he stated.

He said they not only put their expertise and the equipment to work to save as many lives as possible in the rubble but also ensured that the integrity of the other two towers built by the same developer and adjacent  to the collapsed structure was preserved.

On the challenges confronting the agency, he said it is that of fake news and unverifiable information where people cook up with figures. Recalling the bomb blast of January 27, 2001 in Maryland, Ikeja, he noted that the majority of the people who died were as result of wrong or poor information management.

“On our own we have decided to carry the media along to relay to the public first-class and accurate information,’’ he stated.

On the frequent market fires in the state, he responded that his agency will ensure that the markets are built to standards with safety and health in mind.

The LASEMA boss said henceforth, the agency will not tolerate fake news, especially those that bloat figures of casualties, thereby causing panic. He said they would be made to face the law with the appropriate agencies of government.

In addition, he added, anybody or group causing obstruction in cases of emergencies either with their articulated vehicles or in ways detrimental to  emergencies would be sanctioned.

A real estate developer, Landwey Investment Limited, has been adjudged  as the best place to work.

This certification was issued by the Great Place to Work Institute Nigeria (GPWIN), the global authority on workplace culture and employee experience.

LandWey passed the minimum threshold of 65 per cent average Trust index score to get the award.

According to a poll by the AIS Workplace Stress Survey, workers are often burned out or stressed by their work and this in retrospect has a significant effect on their output at work.

Group Managing Director, LandWey, Olawale Ayilara, called for the creation of conducive working environments for employees to perform better.

Olawale said: “Most employers and even employees often battle the fear that the bigger a company grows, the more difficult it becomes to work in, especially in a fast-paced and competitive environment like ours in Nigeria. “This is why at LandWey, we encourage healthy competition, reward great performance and support all our employees in their pursuit of excellence and this honour is a testament to this fact.”

Chief Operations Officer of LandWey, Seun Eyitayo, who expressing excitement at the latest feat of the organisation, called on employers to improve the environment within the workplace for better employee output.

He said: “We are in the business of producing the right workforce by creating a healthy environment that enables growth and productivity, invariably improving the real estate sector and the economy at large.”