The Nation Newspaper

Category: Building & Properties

  • Donor agencies’ $15m for e-waste management in Lagos

    E-waste has enormous economic potential. It is estimated that there is 100 times more gold in a tonne of e-waste than in a tonne of gold ore. However, improper recycling of e-waste is taking a toll on Nigeria. To curb this, Lagos launched a project, supported by some donor agencies which gave a $15 million grant, for the proper waste management of e-waste, writes OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE.

    An ambitious new project launched in Lagos on Monday is to reform the electronics sector, the major producer of e-waste, to end the toll improper management of electronic waste is taking on Nigeria.

    Over half a million tonnes of discarded appliances are recycled in the country yearly, threatening the health of people in the informal recycling industry and the environment.

    Bccked by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Federal Government has joined forces with the United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) and other partners to turn the tide on e-waste, under the Circular Economy Approaches for the Electronics Sector in Nigeria project.

    Anchored by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the $15-million initiative will bring together players from government, the private sector and the civil society to kickstart a self-sustaining circular economy approach for electronics in Nigeria, protect the environment and create safe employment.

    At the launch of the programme, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Environment Mrs. Ibukun Odusote said e-waste posed a grave danger to the environment and human health.

    “This intervention by Global Environment Facility aims to stimulate the development of a sustainable circular economy for electronic products in Nigeria,” Mrs. Odusote said, noting that the project would also support the E-waste Producers Responsibility Organisation (EPRON) – a key initiative of the Government of Nigeria to promote sustainable production and consumption by encouraging producers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products.

    “To achieve a world without waste, we must radically rethink our relationship with natural resources and key economic systems. We need to adopt a new way of The Nigerian electronic waste project will put this new way of thinking into practice and is an approach we hope other African countries will adopt doing business that brings together all actors along the supply chain, and across entire industries,”said GEFCEO and Chairperson, Naoko Ishii.

    He said: “Studies have it that Nigeria’s piles of e-waste come from home and abroad. The country generated 290,000 tonnes of electronic waste in 2017 a 170 per cent increase against 2009. Meanwhile, Nigeria remains a major recipient of used electronics from abroad. While the true amount of overseas-generated waste landing in Nigeria is hard to quantify, United Nations University research has revealed  that more than 60,000 tonnes of used electrical and electronics equipment are shipped into the country annually via Lagos ports alone, with an unknown amount imported over land routes from neighbouring countries. More than 25 per cent of this is dead on arrival heading straight to dumps or dismantling.”

    According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), up to 100,000 people work in the informal e-waste recycling sector in Nigeria, collecting and dismantling electronics by hand to reclaim the saleable components. Informal workers are directly exposed to hazardous chemicals and commonly suffer respiratory and dermatological problems, eye infections and lower than average life expectancy.

    The waste with no economic value is often dumped or burned – releasing pollutants, including heavy metals and toxic chemicals (including dioxins, furans and flame retardants), into the air, water and soil. Over 52,000 tonnes of brominated (flame retardant) plastics, 4,000 tonnes of lead, 80 tonnes of cadmium and 0.3 tonnes of mercury are burned or dumped in Nigeria yearly.

    But while e-waste is a threat – it is also an opportunity. With 100 times more gold in a tonne of e-waste than in a tonne of gold ore, alongside other scarce and valuable materials, such as platinum, cobalt and rare earth elements, a safe and efficient recycling industry has the potential to be a big business.

    “The environmental and economic benefits of a circular economy are clear,” said Inger Andersen, UN Environment Executive Director. “This innovative partnership with the Government of Nigeria and the Global Environment Facility is a positive step in the country’s efforts to kickstart a circular electronics system, and one that UN Environment is proud to support.”

    The Circular Economy Approaches for the Electronics Sector in Nigeria project will support the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility legislation, working with the private sector to develop cost-effective value retention businesses, including recycling and disposal systems for electronic products, while ensuring that informal workers in the sector, such as e-waste collectors and recyclers, have opportunities to improve their livelihoods, working conditions, and their health and safety.

    Along with promoting recycling of usable components of electronic products, the project will develop systems for the disposal of non-usable and toxic waste, and aims to collect, treat and dispose more than 270 tonnes of e-waste contaminated with persistent organic pollutants and 30 tonnes of mercury-containing waste.

    The project also aims to have an impact beyond Nigeria through the development of a practical circular electronics model for Africa and beyond, by sharing best practices, promoting regional and global dialogue, and engaging global manufacturers.

    Circular Economy Approaches for the Electronics Sector is the first demonstration project in the electronics sector convened by the World Economic Forum under the Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE), a public-private collaboration mechanism and project accelerator dedicated to bringing about the circular economy at speed and scale.

  • Architects challenged on ethics, professionalism

    The number of registered architects and firms yesterday swelled, as the  Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) inducted about 450 persons and firms.

    They were charged not to breach professional ethics, but to uplift professionalism in their undertakings.

    ARCON gave the charge in  Abuja, while licensing the new architects.

    Its President, Mr. Dipo Ajayi, who stressed on integrity and professionalism, urged the new architects to think out of the box to make a difference.

    “I congratulate all of you for going through the processess. It is not how long you live, but, it is the fulfilment you derive in life.

    “Don’t ever think that your licence can give you all you want in life, but, fulfilment should be your drive.”

    Accroding to Ajayi, the nation is going through enterprenuerial revolution, calling on architects to be dynamic and think out of the box to make impactful difference.

    Warning against misconduct, the ARCON president reminded the new entrants that the regulatory body has an Architects Investigative Panel (AIP) and Architects Disciplinary Tribunal (ADT) that would deal with cases of infraction without fear or favour.

    ARCON immediate past president Umaru Aliu, who condemned  quackery, urged the architects to uphold the code of conduct and ethics.

    “We have the code of professional conduct and ethics to guide all our undertakings as architects. Unfortunately, we are where we are today due to lawlessness that has pervaded the land.

    “Foreigners don’t come and take the job all by themselves. They hide behind those who front for them.”

    He charged the new architects to do the right always and to memorise the code to avoid temptation.

    Umoru Karaye, who spoke on “Condition of engagement, charges and agreement by professional architects”, urged the architects to familiarise themselves with the document, which he said, was developed for the protection of architecture in Nigeria.

    He also urged them to be good ambassadors of the profession, adding that those ahead of them in the profession would assist them where and when possible.

    ARCON Registrar Umar Murnai, who said the institute had come up with the Architects Projects Registration Number (APRN), to prevent incursion into their profession, tasked the inductees to promote the initiative.

    According to him, without APRN, you, as an architect, can not make any submission in Abuja, addding that the Council had made the process of getting the number seamless.

  • Experts seek solution to building challenges

    Stakeholders in the building industry during the week engaged in a robust roundtable discussion to seek lasting solution to penetration of water, acids, oil, grease and chemicals on floors and walls.

    The event was the premiere launch of Danish Concrete Hardener, held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

    In a chart with newsmen, the Executive Director of the company Mr Jeep Veenhouwer, said: “Danish Concrete Hardener is a non-toxic liquid for treating concrete. There is no product odour, allergy, harm to the environment.

    Read Also: Firemen rescue 5 from collapsed building in Kano

    “It is a water-based liquid, as such, absorbs quickly, deep into freshly poured concrete, provides rapid strength to concrete on setting and hardening. In 8 days after casting, shuttering can be removed, and floor can be used, compared to 28 days normally. It hardens concrete without forming a film on the surface and provides permanent dust-free floor surfaces.”

    The representative of the company Nigeria, Mr Henry Olofin who is also the MD/CEO of MEIBACH Nigeria Limited, said: “The construction management roundtable  and showcase  of Danish Concrete Hardener  provides a robust platform  to discuss the key challenges  facing  the industry and the evident yawning gap in construction innovation and building technology.

    ”The expansion of this innovative management roundtable  into the Nigerian environment  and roles of the government at all levels  vis a vis  industry players and the consumers in repositioning sector is timely as Nigeria’s massive backlog in affordable housing delivery is primed to witness continued demand for durable quality materials.“

  • NIQS, Igbinedion varsity partner on Quantity Surveying course

    Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO) Vice-Chancellor Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye has said  the university will partner the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Edo State Chapter, to begin Quantity Surveying programme.

    Ezemonye made this known while receiving Board members of the Edo State Chapter of the institute, who visited the university.

    Ezemonye expressed joy at the Board’s readiness to assist the university to set up the programme, especially its preparedness to help the university in sourcing for personnel to train students who would be admitted into the programme.

    Also Read: NIQS praises govt on tax for infrastructure

    According to him, the aim is to mount a degree programme in Quantity Surveying in the university.

    “The university is ready to begin a degree programme in Quantity Surveying as soon as possible. I am delighted at the involvement of the Institute of Quantity Surveyors in mounting the programme. This would be of immense benefit when it comes to professional accreditation of the department at Igbinedion University,’’ Ezemonye said.

    The VC said he was excited to hear that the programme could be held  in the College of Engineering where the College of Environmental Science is non-existent.

    The state Chairman of the Institute, Mr. Elizeus Ufuah, said to qualify as a quantity surveyor, a degree or professional qualification accredited by the NIQS was required.

    He also said a degree programme in Quantity Surveying, Construction, Civil Engineering and Structural Engineering are relevant to quantity surveyors.

    Ufuah gave some hard and soft copies of the syllabus to the VC.

  • ARCON advises OAU on architecture

    THE Architects’Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has urged the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife to boost the study of Architecture.

    Its President,  Oladipo Ajayi,  spoke during a meeting with the management of the OAU.

    Ajayi, who led council members of ARCON, including, immediate past president, Umaru Aliu; registrar, Umar Murnai, observed that the profession was at its low ebb and, therefore, there was the need for urgent intervention.

    The ARCON chief, who assured the OAU management of its support on the development of enterpreneurship studies, asked that the university authorities should include the council in its budget.

    He said OAU should upgrade the department of architecture to faculty status. “We are eager to have the faculty as soon as possible, as this would further enhance both the university and the profession at large,” he said.

    According to Ajayi, ARCON, among other things, which was established to raise the educational standard and the practice as well as registering and deregistering, urged OAU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, to look into the issues of shortfall of lecturers in the department.

    Read Also: Bola Ige’s son, 44 others make ARCON’s board

    Ajayi said there was the need for OAU to adopt Architects Projects Registrations Number (APRN), which would help to monitor all building projects, thereby preventing collapsed building.

    The ARCON president also tasked the university on the issue of jury,  noting that it has been misunderstood by many. He urged  Ogunbodede to facilitate the process of ensuring this initiative.

    The VC, who pledged support for ARCON council, said the issue of upgrading the departure of architecture to faculty was actually dependent on the regulatory body, the lecturers within the department and the National Universities Commission (NUC).

    Ogunbodede urged ARCON to assist as the university was  overhauling its curriculum.  He charged ARCON to help the university to develop enterpreneural studies.

    Prof. Olubola Babalola, Dean, Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, promised to look into all issues raised by ARCON.

    Babalola, the first woman professor of Quantity Surveying in Africa, expressed satisfaction with the proposal to raise the department of architecture to a faculty.

    Meanwhile, ARCON is set to induct over 400 newly registered architects in Abuja.

  • Army seeks FERMA’s assistance on highways’ maintenance

    The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has pledged to strengthen its partnership with the Army to enhance security on the highways.

    FERMA Managing Director Mr Nuruddeen Rafindadi stated this  in Abuja when he received a team of the Nigerian Army led by the Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen.Tukur Buratai.

    In a statement by FERMA Deputy Director, Communication and Public Relations, Mrs Maryam Sanusi, Rafindadi said the agency had always considered itself as a part of the country’s security as the road network across the nation is a part its security architecture.

    He said: “When I go out to seek  funds, I always try to make a point that funding of road maintenance  should be given a priority that is given to security because roads are part of the security network. FERMA is one of the federal agencies in every part of the country, including the Northeast even during insecurity.

    “FERMA is proud that in all its activities in the Northeast, the Army has given it a great support as there have not been any major incident even though we work under precarious condition.”

    Rafindadi said last year, special attention was given to the Military Theatre Operation Zone to assist the Military carry out its operations effectively in the Northeast while major maintenance and repairs were carried out on the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu Road in Borno State and  Biu-Wuyo in Gombe State Border with Borno.

    Read Also: FERMA tidies up seven roads in Abia

    Others are roads in Adamawa State,  the rehabilitation of Baga Mogo Park, Abdu One Mohammed to Songhai Road Junction in Maiduguri, Borno State.

    Rafindadi said FERMA had embarked on more road maintenance  to enhance the operations of the Military, adding these works were at various stages of completion.

    He said the Military recently called on FERMA to clear the bushes on selected federal routes nationwide, such as the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, adding that  this has yielded results by the several reports received through the media.

    Gen. Buratai said the visit was for two reasons: to congratulate the managing director on the giant stride the agency is making in road maintenance and to solidify the partnership of the Army with FERMA to link roads to rural areas where criminals take advantages of to perpetrate their activities.

    According to the Army chief, it would be easier for the Army to reach such places to provide security when the roads are passable.

  • Nigeria loses $132b yearly to coal neglect

    NIGERIA has coal in commercial quantity yet it virtually lives in darkness; and businesses die due to lack of power. It is estimated that the mineral resource found in large quantities in Enugu, Kogi, Gombe and Nassarawa states is enough to provide electricity to the country and for export.

    Coal is highly underutilised in Nigeria despite that it can grow the non oil economy  if policy makers can understand the huge impact it can create in the economy.

    This is the summation of a former Professor of Ceramics Technology at the Ambrose Alli University, Edo State and Managing Director of Epina Technologies Limited, Patrick Oaikhinan.

    He also noted that the country was losing huge revenue, about  $132 billion yearly, through the neglect of the abundant solid mineral deposit.

    According to him, coal is a major contributor to the United States’ economy and it can do the same for Nigeriaiof properly harnessed.

    Oaikhinan, who spoke to The Nation in his office in Lagos yesterday, wondered why the government has failed to develop coal to halt epileptic power supply in the nation, unemployment and poverty.

    “Coal has played a crucial role in industrialisation since time immemorial and it has a significant impact on domestic economies in the world. It has been the key factor in shaping economies across the globe and determining the pace of development for several nations. The monumental amount of coal consumed by the world is used in a wide range of applications such as generating electricity, the production of steel, iron, power, and several manufacturing and transportation industries, but this huge resource is wasting in Nigeria”.

    Furthermore, he said the global market for clay which is also in abundance in Nigeria but untapped in 2018 is worth about $216.9 million.

    Oaikhinan said he could not quantify what the nation had lost because policy makers lacked the will to exploit natural resources like coal, depending solely on oil revenue.

    On other mineral resources, he said the value of Feldspar found everywhere in Nigeria is  worth  $3.2 billion; while Kaolin deposits across the nation  can fetch $5.2 billion, Silica Mica accounts for  $678.2 million, Phosphate is $83.11billion and Silicate $600 million.

    He regretted that all these are not tapped but left to waste without exploitation, adding that the mineral deposits are high employment and wealth generating agent, with a large  with capacity to halt rural urban drift and boost the economy.

    Asked how skills can be developed to exploit mineral deposits, he said the government must know the volume of the mineral deposits and how long  they will last, its characterisation,  including  physical and mechanical properties.

    He said  it was only when  the facts of the mineral deposits are known that a business profile could be prepared, itemising what each mineral can be used for so investors could be wooed to come and invest.

    He criticised the practice of road shows where he alleged that neither experts nor professionals are included in the teams to answer technical questions that may be asked by would-be investors.

    Asked to set agenda for the incoming Solid Minerals Minister, Oaikhinan  said the first thing he  would advise him is to ascertain  how many Nigerians are experts in the solid mineral sector, invite them for a business discussion and form a small team that will come out with a road map for solid mineral development.

    He added that in that road map he will be advised to talk on their characterisation, extent of deposit and business profile.

    He said a minister needs that kind of document to attend investor forum or road show to woo investors or business forum.

  • ‘How to contain desertification’

    A civil society group, Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet), has called for a remediation programme to combat desertification and drought.

    Its Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr Ibrahim Choji, made the call during a briefing as part of activities to commemorate the World Combat Desertification and Drought Day.

    The event, which had as theme ‘Let’s grow the future together’ focuses on three key issues: drought, human security and climate.

    Also Read: Desertification will consume Nigeria if not checked – Agency

    Choji said: “Land in Nigeria has long been a silent casualty of war and armed conflicts. From the contamination of land and the destruction of forests to the plunder of natural resources and the collapse of management systems, the environmental consequences of militancy in the Niger Delta, terrorism in the North and herdsmen-farmers’ crises across Nigeria are often widespread and devastating. A small proportion of Nigerians in conflict-prone areas have the luxury of mobility which is not applicable to the land.”

    According to him, land is static; never mobile hence it is subject to varying degrees of exploitation and despoliation and because  land is fixed in quantity. There is ever-increasing competition to control land resources and capitalise on the flows of goods and services from the land.

    This, he said, had the potential to cause social and political instability, fueling poverty, conflict and migration.

  • NSE to engineers: form consortia to bridge infrastructure gap

    The Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Lagos State branch, Musliudeen Agoro, has urged engineers to form consortia to handle big projects and help bridge Nigeria’s infrastructure gap.

    Agoro made the call in an interview in Lagos.

    Last year, President Muhammadu Buhari signed an Executive Order on local content to ensure that jobs that could be done by indigenous professionals were not given to foreign firms.

    Agoro said the Executive Order empowers engineers, suppliers and  contractors to display their expertise.

    He, however, called on the government to back Nigerians to enable the engineers to secure projects.

    “The signing of the Executive Order was very encouraging, however, if there is no full support and backing from the government, it will be difficult for Nigerian local engineers to lead in execution of projects amid foreign contractors,” he said.

    He said though there were consulting engineers in the country, they were just a few.

    He suggested that where  engineers did not have the expertise, they could partner  with their foreign firms.

  • Tackle air pollution, Fed Govt told

    THE African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), a non-governmental organisation, has urged the Federal Government to address the rising menace of air pollution.

    In a statement, its Senior Programme Officer, Amodu Lawal, said: “Air is critical to human existence as without it, there can be no life. Yet, a polluted air has the capacity to unveil numerous health problems, including respiratory diseases that have led to loss of several lives even in Nigeria.’’

    He noted that air pollution constitutes lead in  environmental risks estimated to have resulted to seven million deaths globally.

    He said Nigeria ranks fourth deadliest globally with 150 deaths per 100,000 attributed to air pollution.

    Lawal said air pollution is common in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta, where gas flaring is prevalent.

    The statement also noted that a  report on gas flaring has shown a considerable increase despite government’s determination to reduce the danger.

    He said: “Air pollution is a big concern the world over. The respective peoples of the world, including Nigerians, can’t stop breathing due to the rampaging advent of air pollution and therefore it behoves on all stakeholders, governments, oil companies, communities and civil society organisations to work to reverse the phenomenon. This will, no doubt, help to improve our air quality and better impact on the lives of the peoples of the world.”

    This year’s World Environment Day held with the theme, ‘Beat air pollution’, urged people to explore renewable energy and green technologies and improve air quality in cities and regions.

    Spearheaded by China, the host of the World Environment Day celebrations, United nations (UN) Environment’s campaign theme was #BeatAirPollution. It culminated into many registered events and commitments.

    “Protecting our blue skies may be difficult, but our future relies on it,”  UN Environment Acting Executive Director,, Joyce Msuya, said during the global celebrations in Hangzhou.

    “And they are our blue skies. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Beijing or Beirut, when we look up we see the same sky. And I think when we look to China, we see many examples of how to protect it.”

    Over the past decade, the Chinese government has taken drastic measures to limit air pollution in its biggest cities, bringing back blue skies in Beijing, Shanghai and other megacities, benefitting the health of millions.

    President, People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, said: “Humankind only has one planet. Environmental conservation and sustainable development are the common responsibility of all countries. Ecological civilisation is built into China’s national development architecture and strategy. China will work with any and all to implement the 2030 agenda to protect our only planet.’’

    “Today, we face an equally urgent crisis. It is time to act decisively,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in his message to the World Environment Day.

    “My message to governments is clear: tax pollution; end fossil fuel subsidies; and stop building new coal plants. We need a green economy not a grey economy.”

    According to him, air pollution goes to the heart of social justice and global inequality.