The Nation Newspaper

Category: Building & Properties

  • Nigeria wins first ever LafargeHolcim Awards for MEA

    Lafarge’s Nigeria has won the inaugural Corporate Social Responsibily (CSR) Awards of LafargeHolcim for the Middle East and Africa. This is in recognition of its innovative and impactful social investment in 2018. The announcement was made recently by Miljan Gutovic, Regional Head, LafargeHolcim for the Middle East and Africa (MEA).

    Nigeria won the overall award after beating 35 other countries in two of the four categories. The country won gold for its CSR initiatives in the Education and Employment category ahead of Egypt (silver) and Kenya (bronze). Nigeria also won gold in the Shelter and Infrastructure category ahead of Morocco (silver) and Cote d’Ivoire (bronze).

    While making the announcement, Gutovic congratulated all participating countries for showcasing the critical and impactful work done in host communities to bring LafargeHolcim’s global sustainable development strategy to life.

    “The projects presented during the competition demonstrate our commitment across the Middle East and Africa region to enriching lives within and beyond our fence. I want to thank all participants for the enthusiasm shown in making real impact in the lives of people in the countries where we operate.” Gutovic noted.

    The contribution by the Nigeria office takes its inspiration from the LafargeHolcim 2030 plan, which aims to lead in sustainability and set new standards. By the year 2030, the company’s ambition is to have transformed the way the industry works. It aims to set a strong example for the construction sector to play its part in addressing the planet’s biggest issues. As the global leader in the construction and building materials industry, LafargeHolcim has the opportunity, responsibility and the will to make a positive difference.

    As a reward for coming tops, Nigeria’s winning initiative will be replicated across the Middle East and Africa to consolidate on its gains.

    In Nigeria, since 2014, Lafarge has worked assiduously to beat the housing deficit in the country while also helping to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 9 – Industrial innovation and Infrastructure and Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.

    Lafarge introduced the Easy Home initiative in Nigeria, an ambitious housing solution, which, using strategic partnerships helps individuals build decent homes with a low budget. The company also links prospective home builders to financiers, qualified building professionals and high-quality materials. In 2016 alone, over 30,000 people benefited from the initiative and the aim is to reach a lot more people by the year 2030.

    In 2017, Lafarge Africa created the Cement Professionals Training Program (CPTP), a programme that helps youths with entrepreneurial spirit to achieve their goals in the fields of technology, engineering, cement manufacturing, instrumentation and automation. In its first year, more than 30 youths have been impacted by the programme.  In the same year, the company made large investments in diverse social investment programs and initiatives in its host communities across the country, directly impacting more than 450,000 beneficiaries.

    Also, to support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5 – Quality Education, Lafarge Africa has complemented Nigeria’s efforts to improve education at the primary level through the Lafarge Africa National Literacy Competition. Since 2014 when the project kicked off, over 600,000 public primary school pupils have been impacted across 544 Local Government Areas in Nigeria.

  • Stay away, National Park warns poachers

    The National Parks Service Conservator-General (CG), Alhaji Goni Ibrahim, has advised Nigerians to avoid killing wild animals for “bush meats”.

    Ibrahim said such action and  poaching contravened international agreement on protection of the wilds which Nigeria is a signatory.

    Speaking on efforts of the agency, he explained that it is partnering other conservation organisations to ensure protection of the nation’s biodiversity.

    He added that the park has raked some revenue for the federal government stressing that for that he 2018, the NPS made N32million.

    Goni said the N32million is higher than N25 million recorded in 2017. “The revenue generated so far has been about 40 per cent increase over what we used to get, meaning that 2019 will be better. In actual monetary terms, from 1st January to 31st October, we have generated about N32 million as against N25 million in 2017,” he said.

    The CG added that the Service would procure more vehicles and engage more personnel in 2019. “In 2019, we expect to increase our staff strength, acquire more patrol equipment and improve the welfare of our staff as well as increase our revenue generation.”

  • Richmond Gate residents celebrate with Tuface, others

    In the spirit of good neighbourliness and to celebrate the Yuletide, residents of Richmond Gate Estate (RGE) have held their end of year get-together.

    The event, according to the estate’s Residents Association Chairman, Mr. Afolabi Oke, is aimed at promoting friendship among residents.

    Oke explained that in an estate where many residents are top celebrities and VIPs who have excelled in renowned industries, it was important to create a night of music, jokes and entertainment to show love and fester unity.

    Artistes, including 2face, Ay Comedian, Dr. Sid, Tiwa Savage, and Banky, who are also residents in the estate, treated their neighbours to good music.

    Promoter of the estate and Managing  Director,  Haven Homes, Tayo  Sonuga, said the company’s goal is to create a luxurious, peaceful and safe environment where celebrities, VIPs, expatriates and other influential members of the society could live peacefully.

    He said the firm’s estates were designed to give comfort with consideration for affordability, to all who desire serene atmosphere all round.

    ‘’We specialise in creating homes that are modelled after the rich, luxurious, western aristocratic homes previously only seen in movies, very obvious reason why our celebrities are at home here with Haven Homes,” Sonuga said.

    Renowned comedian, Ayo Makun ( aka Ay), who recently moved into his new home in the estate, expressed joy at the gathering saying it has afforded his the opportunity to relax in an environment that is homely.

    He enjoined more Nigerians to come join in the estate as they are building an inclusive environment that will impact individual and contribute to economic and social development. For 2Face, his excitement with the estate bothers on the tranquillity the place offers.

    RGE which boasts among its high net worth residents an A-list of some of the top entertainment acts in the country and a rich collection of expatriates is located pristinely off Meadow Hall Way, Ikate-Lekki at the Third Roundabout along the Lekki Expressway.

    RGE comprises several housing units of various types. It enjoys state of the art facilities such as fully paved roads, 24/7 electricity supply, street lights and tight security. Other features include multi-purpose courts, fully equipped gym, club house/recreation centre, swimming pool, mini mart/unisex salon and well landscaped lush green areas for residents to retreat to nature. The estate enjoys a conducive atmosphere of a living place where things work aided by the available infrastructure, seamless service delivery within flourish of peace and harmony.

     

     

     

  • UN raises alarm over rising carbon emissions

    Just as the dry season sets in, heat-trapping, due to increasing carbon emissions from buildings and construction activities appear to have peaked at a global level, the United Nations said, urging countries to aggressively take up the challenge by curbing the emerging ugly trend.

    Greenhouse gas emissions have been attributed to buildings leveled-off over 2015-2017.

    However, they still represent about a third of the global emissions that cause climate change, a report by UN Environment and its partners said.

    According to the finding, it is a rare bright spot amid a spate of warnings that not enough is being done to stop the planet heating up.

    Global carbon emissions are set to rise nearly three per cent this year due to continued fossil fuel use, scientists said this week.

    The statement dashes hope that an increase in 2017 was temporary after two years of slowdown.

    The UN Environment report called for more pledges to make building construction greener, in national climate action plans submitted for the 2015 Paris Agreement to curb climate change.

    “It’s a very complex field, but one that’s absolutely critical,” Nick Nuttall, a UN Environment spokesman told reporters on the sidelines of U.N. climate talks in Poland.

    Delegates from more than 190 nations’ party to the Paris Agreement are gathered in the Polish city of Katowice to meet an end-of-year deadline to agree rules on how to enforce the pact.

    The “rule book”, as it is known, is expected to include details about how countries will report and monitor curbs on greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen their national plans.

    A positive outcome at the negotiations could encourage governments to double down on promises to cut emissions from the construction industry, said Nuttall.

    “That might increase the enthusiasm of nations to revise their (action plans),” he said.

    “If they’re revised upwards to include the building and construction sector, then what happens here will have a very strong impact on the sector being able to move forward faster.”

    To encourage energy-efficient buildings, the national plans could push for better insulation and windows by aspiring to revamp building codes and set up energy certification schemes.

    They could also plan to lower emissions from common building materials like cement and steel whose manufacturing generates large amounts of carbon, the report said.

    Even if such rules require consumers to open their wallets to retrofit a home, for example.

    It is unlikely to cause the kind of public anger seen recently in France over fuel taxes, said Jennifer Layke, global director for energy with the Washington-based World Resources Institute.

     

     

  • Bauchi enacts new land policy, guidelines

    To put in place a robust land administration and boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), the Bauchi State Government has introduced a new guideline for land acquisition in the state.

    The initiative, introduced by the Bauchi Geographic Information Service (BAGIS), an agency of the state Ministry of Land in the Department of Land Administration, was, among others, meant to redefine land administration in the state.

    BAGIS Director-General Abubakar Katagum explained that the new system, contained in a 28-page document titled: “General Land Services Operational Guide Manual,” laid out procedures for owning and use of land in the state.

    According to him, BAGIS is planning a land registration system and campaigning to increase or encourage registration which will also contribute to the alleviation of poverty. Katagum assured that land registration would give the owners guaranteed protection and rights as a source of personal wealth which would provide opportunities for economic independence. He also made it known that the state government would re-enact the “Land Instruments Registration Law of Bauchi State” which required the registration of land documents with the Ministry of Lands.

    The new measure, he further explained, would encourage business development as proper registration would provide land proprietors guaranteed titles, which could be used as collateral in banks to access loans.

    “We have actually produced a simple and easy-to-read registration procedure which will be printed as a booklet that explains all our registration procedure and informs applicants of the requirements for our various processes. The booklet can be obtained free of charge at BAGIS’ Deeds Registry and is a viable method of disseminating information to the public,” Katagum said.

     

  • Sanwo-Olu unveils infrastructural roadmap for Lagos

    The Lagos State gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has pledged to embark on massive infrastructural investment, if elected in this year’s general elections.

    Sanwo-Olu revealed this during the Annual End of the Year Dinner and Award Night of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), Lagos chapter.

    The Lagos APC gubernatorial candidate, who was represented  by his running mate, Obafemi Hamzat, an engineer, as the guest speaker, assured civil engineers and Lagosians that his government would improve on existing facilities as well as initiate new ones across the state.

    Hamzat, a former Lagos Commissioner for Science and Technology, as well as Works and Infrastructure, said his principal, and himself were not novice to governanace having been in the system for quite a while.

    Speaking on a theme: ‘Bridging the infrastructure gap, the Lagos we know,’ Hamzat said given that infrastructure affects the development of any society, the theme was not only apt, but also timely.

    According to him, the state is the melting point where the nation’s economic, social and political activities concentrate. He noted that one of the reasons pressure is mounted on Lagos infrastructure is the continuous influx of people into the state.

    “You are all aware that population of Lagos is over 20 million, with a projected figure of close to 30 million in the next decade. This is despite her being the smallest State in Nigeria with a land area of 3, 577 sq.km; which translates that it occupies a paltry 0.4 per cent of total land area of Nigeria, which is 923,768 sq. km,” he said.

    Drawing from statistical figures obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Hamzat disclosed that about 260, 000 people come into the state daily, while only about 25 percent of this figure return to their original places of migration. This huge migration influx to the city, he noted, is overstretching the existing infrastructure and facilities, thereby making for an urgent need to be innovative in providing infrastructure in the state.

    Hamzat, nonetheless, said the challenges are surmountable with innovative approaches and collaboration with every Lagosian, especially, the professional groups, business communities and every man and woman of goodwill.

    “Our plan will be to expand and improve on existing infrastructure project. Government is a continuum and we will continue with existing projects to the benefit of Lagos. Our focus remains ‘Towards a Greater Lagos: A Collective Effort’, he added.

    To this end, Lagos APC deputy gubernatorial candidate said their government would work with an acronym: ‘THEME.’

    “Our Promise to Lagosians is ‘THEME Lagos.” The pillar includes traffic management and transportation; health and environment; education and technology; making Lagos a 21st Century economy; entertainment and tourism.

    On transportation and traffic management, Hamzat said: “Our plan will be to build an Inter Modal transport system by integrating road, rail and water transportation in Lagos to solve the problem of commuting within the metropolis. Therefore, we will move very fast to complete the ongoing Blue Line rail project from Okokomaiko-Marina and in the process aggressively prosecute the rehabilitation of Lagos Badagry Expressway; explore the actualisation of the Red line from Agbado to Marina.

    Efforts will also be geared up towards fixing various inner roads across the state. To achieve this, Hamzat revealed that the three Asphalt plants in the state will be turned around and made ready to put people to work in order to make the roads motorable throughout the year.

    On waterways transportation system, Hamzat said their government would improve navigation on the waterways to facilitate water transportation and promote private investment.

    “Sanwo-Olu government would rejig the waste management system by getting the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), to deliver better on its mandate as the regulator, while the PSP model will be made to respond better in collection of waste in Lagos. We have plans to turn waste to sustainable wealth. This we will do by incentivising waste sorting by our people.

    “Our administration, if elected would focus on increasing 220 million barrel per day water capacity to the needed 550 million gallons per day.  It is the responsibility of government to ensure continuous flow of clean and portable water.  Our vision of a Lagos hyper-city cannot afford a shortfall of such a critical resource,” he submitted.

    While reacting to the lecture, the State Chairman of NICE, Lola Adetona, an engineer, hailed the vision of the APC candidate. She expressed satisfaction with the roadmap saying it is capable of turning the fortunes of the state around if implemented, and called for the involvement of indigenous engineers in the implementation of the projects.

     

  • DMO: N100b Sukuk Bond to sustain rehabilitation

    The second issue of the N100 billion Sukuk Fund is aimed at sustaining the 25 key roads in the six-geopolitical zones, the Debt Management Office (DMO) Director-General, Patience Oniha, has said.

    He spoke at the sovereign Sukuk public offer-investor forum in Lagos.

    According to Oniha, the success of the first N100 billion Sukuk Bond issue in 2017 was as a result of the clearer understanding of the financial market, as well as investors, which is arousing the interest of many.

    She recalled that that year, the Sukuk Bond, which recorded 5.8 per cent over-subscription, helped in executing road projects across all the regions of the country, noting that the public’s response to the offer has further affirmed investors’ confidence and created jobs.

    The FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited Deputy Managing Director, Taiwo Okeowo, expressed delight in participating in the initiative, because it would contribute to narrowing the country’s infrastructure deficit.

    The impact of the Sukuk Bond still reverberates across the country. For instance, the House Committee on Works attested to the impact the Bond has had on critical infrastructure, especially in helping the federal government to mobilise a lot of contractors handling various governments’ projects back to site.

    The committee Chairman, Ali Wudil, while on tour of some projects mostly executed with the Sukuk Bond in Kano State, revealed that most of projects had been abandoned for years, but that the Sukuk Bond had mobilised the contractors back to site.

    “Works are on-going in most of the areas we visited and this is possible because of the Sukuk Bond. Some of these projects were started since 2006 and are not yet completed due to unavailability of funds, which has resulted to review upon review of the projects and you know what that entails. Nevertheless, at committee level, we are satisfied with the level attained and the quality of the jobs being executed,” Wudil said.

    Dantata and Sawoe Project Manager Roy Hungushi, who’s firm is handling the Kano Western By-pass, told the committee that the 26.6-km road awarded since 2007 for N13.2 billion has  escalated to N22 billion due to lack of funds, thereby necessitating the reviews. He said with the Sukuk enabled funding by the government, the company was able to return to site, assuring that with adequate funding, the project would be completed in good time.

    Proceed from the Sukuk Bond II will be used for road projects. For instance, in the Southwest, the bond is to be used for reconstructing Benin-Ofosu-Ore-Ajebandele-Shagamu dual carriageway (Phase 3 and dualisating Ibadan-Ilorin road (Section 2).

    Three roads were identified in Southsouth.  They include the rehabilitation of Enugu-Port Harcourt road, dualisation of Yenagwa road junction-Kolo-Otuoke Bayelsa Palm and that of Lokoja-Benin road (Section 2-4).

    In the Southeast, Onitsha-Enugu Expressway and the Enugu-Port Harcourt road (Section 1-3) would be rehabilitated. While in Northcentral, Loko Oweto Bridge would dualised, Abuja-Lokoja road (Section 1 and 4), Suleja-Minna road (Phase 2) and Lokoja-Benin road (Section 1) would be dualised.

    In the Northeast, Kano-Maiduguri road (Section 2-5), , northwest, Kano-Maiduguri road (Section), Kano-Kastina road (Phase 1) would be also be dualised and  Kano Western bypass and Kaduna Eastern bypass would be constructed.

    Subscribers can purchase N1,000 per unit subject to a minimum subscription of N10,000 and in multiple of N1,000 with FBNQuest. Islamic Wealth Manager, Lotus Capital, manages the sales.

     

  • Stakeholders okay Nigeria’s REDD+ Strategy document

    Nigeria is set to promote its REDD+ agenda, thanks to a World Bank and Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) initiative.

    REDD+ implies reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries.

    At an event held in Abuja, a cross section of stakeholders discussed and validated a draft report on Nigeria’s REDD+ Strategy prepared by Messrs. Gotosearch.com Limited and the University of the West England (UWE), the consortium that was engaged to carry out the assignment.

    The validation workshop was also held to enrich the technical contents of the report and give it a national outlook and acceptability.

    “This is a document that Nigeria will be using to engage with the international community for the purposes of how to bring benefits that are linked to our efforts in emissions reduction, as well as our sustainable forest management approach. If this strategy is not very well crafted and we don’t capture the elements and the options that we intend to use in engaging, then we are taking a wrong step,” submitted Dr. Moses Ama, National Coordinator, Nigeria REDD+ Programme, during the official opening of the meeting.

    Former Director of Forestry in the Federal Ministry of Environment, Philip Bankole, said: “We all know the problems in our forest reserves. So, whatever is written here are common issues familiar to us.

    “It is a good development that the REDD+ Programme has gotten to this stage. It started some years ago and, despite a change of leadership, it is still going very strong because we have competent hands in place. Whatever comes out here today is to our own benefit. It is a national service. This is a policy document and thus it has a lot of bearing on what happens to our forest and government policies in the future.

    Team Leader, Gotosearch.com, Prof Olukayode Oladipo, urged participants to feel free to criticise the document as, according to him, there is always a room for improvement on every document notwithstanding its quality.

    Director of Forestry, David Andrew-Adejo, while declaring open the event, congratulated the REDD+ team “which includes the secretariat and the team that works with them on the field because all of you collectively have been contributing to the successes achieved by the REDD+ secretariat.”

    He added: “Nigeria should start assessing the financing incentives that the REDD+ is trying to achieve as its end point. The benefit will only come if we have a good strategy developed by REDD. It takes care of how the villager that you asked not to cut his tree because of X-metric tonnes of carbon that it stores, and the villager does not eat X-metric tonnes. He just wants to cut it and use to cook or sell it. So, your strategy will be able to give that man an assurance that if he leaves that tree alone, he will be able to do something else that will enable him live the normal life he was living to the extent that he would be the one that will be your champion.”

    The REDD+ Strategy report has sections like “Nigeria’s REDD+ Strategic Directions”, “Basis for Nigeria’s REDD+ Programme”, “Analysis of Strategic Options”, “Governance of REDD+ in Nigeria”, “Monitoring and Reporting of Nigeria’s REDD+ Implementation”, and “Action Plan for the Implementation of the Strategy”.

     

     

     

  • NBMA assures Nigerians of GM product’s safety

    The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) Director-General, Dr. Rufus Ebegba, has assured Nigerians of safe regulation of Genetically Modified (GM) products.

    Ebegba, at a meeting with media representatives at the agency’s headquarters, said the agency conducts proper assessment of GM products before approval.

    He noted that the agency has carried out a lot of sensitisation on the safety of GM products, stressing need for continous awareness creation.

    His words: “I want to use this opportunity to tell Nigerians that the NBMA will ensure that nothing unsafe that comes from modern biotechnology will be allowed into the Nigerian space. We shall assure Nigerians of that.”

    He assured that, “whatever is approved is safe after doing a diligent risk assessment and not just approving anything’’.

    “If anybody brings in any GMO into this country without approval or certification for safety, such person, company or group will be liable and there are severe consequences of jail or fine. The agency is capable of ensuring the law is implemented,” he added.

    Speaking on sanctions, he identified the repatriated ship loaded with GM maize illegally imported into the country.

    The meeting also showcased the Federal Government scorecard on the biosafety sector. Ebegba disclosed plans to partner with border authorities to check illegal import of the GM products without approval.

    “We will continue to enlighten Nigerians and give them the confidence that this agency is there for them to protect their lives,” he added.

     

  • ‘Lagos-Ibadan expressway important to govt’

    The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr. Adedamola Kuti, has described the Lagos-Ibadan expressway as special “and very dear to the Federal Government.” Kuti made this statement while declaring some sections of the road opened  ahead of the yuletide. He also used the occasion to inspect the level of progress made on the  repair work on the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road.

    According to the controller, the fact that the Lagos-Ibadan expressway connects the Apapa ports and terminates in the northern part of the country and accommodating traffic from the 36 states of the federation, makes it a road of huge importance to the country; hence the speedy completion of repairs around the construction zones and opening the highway to traffic.

    “A lot of people are coming out of Lagos going home for the celebration and some are also coming in from all the states of the federation into Lagos. What we are doing today is to open up all the construction areas and open up the entire highway to traffic for this period, we will resume our work in January, “he assured.

    Kuti said that section one of the project which spans from Ojota in Lagos to the Sagamu Interchange was awarded at an initial cost of N70 billion, but the sum was reviewed upward after additional works was added to the project to N134 billion. He the increase in the volume of work on site meant an extension of completion time on the project.

    “For now we are opening up this road for the use of the motoring public and I want to also seize this opportunity on behalf of the Honorable Minister of Power, Works and Housing to appeal to motorists and commuters using this road to drive safely with caution, observe all traffic rules and regulations including speed limits.

    To this end, he said the ministry was handing over the road temporarily to the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC), so that they could take control of traffic on the road.

    Assuring the Controller of its readiness, the Sector Commander of the FRSC, Ogun State Command, Clement Oladele, said that the Corps would be on 24 hours surveillance of the highway to prevent gridlock and accidents, adding that a special operations unit had been set up by the FRSC for the Yuletide season to manage traffic on the highway from December 15, 2018 to January 15, 2019.

    Oladele revealed that in 2017, the Lagos to Ogun end of the highway recorded 1.8 million travelers, while so far this year, about two million travelers have used the highway. “We are estimating that a minimum of 350,000 vehicles will move on this road this season. I want to assure the motoring public that FRSC is here, we have commenced 24 hours operations since the beginning of the month just to ensure people travel in safety with minimal discomfort,” he said.

    Motorists expressed satisfaction with the opening of the road, especially at this period, saying it would make their journey easier and faster. They expressed their appreciation to the Federal Government for the efforts so far on the road, urging her to complete the road on schedule.

    Also at the construction site of the13 kilometers Ikorodu-Sagamu Road, Kuti was emphatic that the road’s importance cannot be over emphasised because it not only links the Ikorodu Division of Lagos State to the Sagamu Division in Ogun State, but because it will ease traffic and further prolong the lifespan of the Lagos -Ibadan expressway because when completed, it will disperse huge traffic from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    “The project is actually starting from Lagos and terminating in Sagamu and the method the contractor is adopting is to work at the critical sections and then later we link them up. Government is passionate about completing repairs of the highway as it also serves as alternative route to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway,” Kuti said.