The Nation Newspaper

Category: Building & Properties

  • Lagos to adopt holistic approach to waste management

    LAGOS State Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has said effective Solid Waste Management (SWM) requires a paradigm shift.

    Besides, he argued that in the quest for environmental sustainability, a new mindset, which would revolve around responsibility,partnership and stewardship has to be in place.

    Ambode stated this at the World Habitat Day (WHD) held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja on Monday.

    The governor described the theme: “Municipal solid waste management”, as very apt and timely, especially with the global challenges of green house gases, global warming and climate change on the increase.

    The governor noted that waste generation is a natural phenomenon as a result of human activities, hence, the challenges of managing solid waste cannot be over emphasised. He recalled that while previous administrations have put in several efforts with the formulation of various policies on municipal waste management, yet, the astronomical increase in population and the resultant waste generation have necessitated a re-focus, in the interest of the state. This is more so as the existing structures and current realities have revealed deficiencies, especially in terms of equipment and infrastructural gaps as they do not align with the state’s vision of a smart city.

    “In the quest for a holistic approach towards solving the challenges of waste management, the state government in line with global best practices conceptualised the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI). This initiative is a strong resolve and commitment to redefining solid waste management in the state. The waste management cycle include, but not limited to the control, collection, storage, treatment, recycling, transportation and disposal of waste. The efficiency of this system, among others, is highly dependent on the inherent opportunities in waste reduction at point of generation, waste sorting and, above all, demonstration of right attitude that will guarantee us a sustainable environment,” Ambode explained.

    While the governor described the CLI as a laudable concept, he nonetheless admitted that in the process of implementation, some constraints had been identified, which required periodic review.

    Ambode further noted that the astronomical population growth, increasing living standard of people, new settlements and emerging industries to meet human needs for survival against increase in waste generation. These wastes from industrial and domestic activities, when not properly disposed off, he argued, can cause a lot of harm in the environment and breed various diseases. He, nonetheless, said the best possible methods of managing solid waste are to reuse, reduce and recycle them, thus making the waste-to-wealth programmes in the state of uttermost importance. For the waste management framework to be effective, the governor said there is the need for comprehensive technological development, environmental education and awareness programmes for the populace. He revealed that his administration through the Ministry of the Environment (MoE), is fully engaged in organising awareness campaigns aimed at sensitising school children, youth organisations, NGOs, community town hall meetings and public advocacy regarding the importance of proper solid waste management. These steps being taken by the government are in consonance with the Sustainable Development Goal No 3, which addresses the need “to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all ages.

    “This Administration places a lot of emphasis on clean-up campaigns. These campaigns are regularly organised in various communities where bin liners are distributed to the inhabitants, who are also encouraged to clean up their homes and market places. In our endeavour to protect the environment, we are promoting drastic behavioural changes at the individual level as well as collective and institutional levels,” Ambode said.

    In a similar vein, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Rotimi Ogunleye, said the state meets the highest international standard in the disposal of waste, admiting that solid waste management is a serious environmental issue that needs to be taken serious especially as urbanisation and industrialisation have taken a new dimension, which in turn affects both Flora and Fauna.

    He said waste management comprises four components that cut across recycling, composting, disposal and waste-to-energy. Each of these components, he explained, has financial implication and as nations develop technologically, they adopt one component or the other in response to their environmental challenge.

    “Waste management also entails the collection, keeping, treatment and disposal of waste to render harmful organisms harmless to human, animal life, the ecology and the environment in general. Lagos State generates an average of 0.115kg of waste daily. It, therefore, means that the state requires huge funds to be earmarked for domestic waste management to provide necessary facilities for operators engaged in collection and disposal of domestic waste,” Ogunleye said.

    He said while good policies are sacrosanct, but it is in the area of implementation where there is a need to make a difference. “We need attitudinal change and resolve to move towards Zero Waste economy whereby output of each resource is converted into input for a better use,” he submitted.

  • ADRON, Samsung to splash 58,000 phones on subscribers

    Subscribers to the Adron Homes scheme are to benefit from a strategic partnership between Adron Homes and mobile phone manufacturer, Samsung.

    The partnership will see 58, 000 Nigerians, who key in into the Adron home scheme, get one Samsung mobile phone free. The phone model range is S9, J6+ and J4+. Winning is dependent on the land purchase plan of a subscriber.

    At the launch of the promo in Lagos, Adron Homes Group Managing Director, Oba Adetola Emmanuel-King, said the initiative is geared towards celebrating Nigeria’s 58th anniversary and Nigerians, who have endured economic hardships and strived to be better despite numerous challenges facing the country.

    According to him, his firm believes that independence should symbolise strong values that reawaken the spirit of national unity and patriotism in the minds of the younger generations for whom the future awaits to take baton of leadership to posterity.

    “The Adron-Samsung 58,000 Synergy is intended to further manifest the Adron philosophy of making the incredible affordable. A whooping total of 58,000 units of latest versions of Samsung phones have been made available for free distribution to Nigerians in the Adron Homes independence promo,” Emmanuel-King said, adding that through the promo, every Nigerian and other residents have the opportunity to own any of the trending models of Samsung phone devices by subscribing to at least, a plot of land in any of the Adron estates in Abuja, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Nasarawa states.

    Emmanuel-King said with time, people have come to realise that government cannot be the sole providers of basic necessities of life, especially housing. He averred that no country has attained greatness except one whose physical and socio-economic advancement have been a function of multi-faceted synergy.

    ”Already, our dear country has realised this much. The concept and practice of public-private partnership now permeate virtually all the sectors of our nation, as it is now common to find government and private organisations jointly investing in infrastructure provision,” he said.

  • Wetlands disappearing faster than forests, warns report

    Wetlands, believed to be the most economically valuable and among the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world, are disappearing three times faster than forests.This has its severe consequences for the future unless urgent action is taken to ensure their survival, warns a new report released by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

    Approximately 35 per cent of the world’s wetlands were lost between 1970 and 2015 with annual rates of loss accelerating from 2000, according to the first-ever “Global Wetland Outlook” of the Ramsar Convention, a global treaty ratified by 170 countries to protect wetlands and promote their wise use. The report shows every region is affected.

    Losses have been driven by megatrends such as climate change, population increase, urbanisation, particularly of coastal zones and river deltas, and changing consumption patterns that have all fuelled changes to land and water use and to agriculture.

    Wetlands, which include lakes, rivers, marshes and peatlands as well as coastal and marine areas such as estuaries, lagoons, mangroves and coral reefs, are currently estimated to cover more than 12.1 million km2, an area greater than Greenland. Between 13 and 18 per cent of them are on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, which are protected sites.

    Wetlands are critical to human and planet life. Directly or indirectly, they provide almost all the world’s consumption of freshwater. More than one billion people depend on them for a living and 40 per cent of the world’s species live and breed in wetlands. They are a vital source for food, raw materials, genetic resources for medicines, and hydropower; they mitigate floods, protect coastlines and build community resilience to disasters, and they play an important role in transport, tourism and the cultural and spiritual well-being of people.

    Studies show the economic value of services provided by wetlands far exceeds those of terrestrial ecosystems.Inland wetlands, for example, have a total economic value five times higher than tropical forests, the most valuable terrestrial habitat.

    Wetlands are also essential to efforts to regulate the global climate. Peatlands store twice as much carbon as the world’s forests despite accounting for just three per cent of the world’s land surface, with salt marshes, sea grass beds and mangroves also carbon-dense ecosystems. However, wetlands produce 20 to 25 per cent of global methane emissions and rising temperatures from climate change are expected to increase greenhouse gases from wetlands, particularly in permafrost regions.

    Despite this, wetlands remain dangerously undervalued by policy and decision-makers in national plans. An inexplicable omission given the pivotal role wetlands play in delivering global commitments on climate change, sustainable development, biodiversity and disaster risk reduction, with wetlands contributing to 75 indicators of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) alone.

    The persistent and growing threat to the world’s remaining wetlands from water drainage, pollution, unsustainable use, invasive species, disrupted flows from dams and sediment dumping from deforestation and soil erosion upstream is detailed in the GWO, released ahead of the 13th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP13) in Dubai, UAE.

    Water quality trends are worsening with nearly all fresh water sources in the world compromised to some extent. Water pollution and nutrient loading from fertilizers are among the biggest challenges. According to the UN, more than 80 per cent of waste water is released into wetlands without adequate treatment while fertiliser use in 2018 is likely to be 25 per cent higher than in 2008, exacerbating excessive wetland plant growth and levels of decomposition resulting in oxygen starvation for flora and fauna alik

    The biodiversity crisis is just as alarming. More than 25 per cent of all wetlands plants and animals are at risk of extinction. The IUCN’s Red List Index which assesses survival probability using available data has identified negative trends for wetland mammals, birds, amphibians and corals, an indication they are heading for extinction. Coral reefs are declining fastest due to rising sea temperatures, while amphibians have the lowest numbers and are the most threatened. Wetland fish, reptiles and large mammals are also vulnerable with every turtle species globally threatened and a third critically endangered.

    “The Global Wetland Outlook is a wake-up call – not only on the steep rate of loss of the world’s wetlands but also on the critical services they provide.Without them, the global agenda on sustainable development will not be achieved,” says Martha Rojas Urrego, Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. “We need urgent collective action to reverse trends on wetland loss and degradation, and secure both the future of wetlands and our own at the same time.”

    The parties to the Ramsar Convention have committed to the conservation and wise use of all wetlands. Although they have designated more than 2,300 sites of international importance so far, making the Ramsar List one of the world’s largest networks of protected areas, designating new sites for protection is not enough.

    The  GWO emphasises the necessity of developing effective wetland management plans and integrating wetlands into the planning and implementation of national plans on sustainable development, climate change and other key global commitments.

    The report also stresses good governance and effective institutions at local, national and regional levels as a crucial factor in preventing, ending, and reversing trends in wetland loss and degradation.  More accurate data on wetland extent and wetland inventories is needed to help countries identify priority sites for restoration. Indigenous and local knowledge as well as citizen scientists are already invaluable resources on the state of wetlands and can be used more. Drawing on successful examples across the world, the report recommends using existing funding mechanisms to apply economic and financial incentives for communities and business to protect wetlands through tax benefits. Perverse incentives for farmers and business such as subsidies to agriculture that encourage wetland conversion or pollution should be ended.

    Additional recommendations include identifying solutions for wise use of wetlands that draw upon all expertise, ranging from hard science to traditional knowledge, to secure wide engagement on wetland protection and wise use and ensure sound decision-making. The GWO’s findings are expected to inform discussions and decisions at the Ramsar COP13, which holds from October 21 to 28.

    “There is a slow awakening to the value of wetlands. Across the globe, legislative bodies need to integrate wetlands into policy programmes and make investments into their sustainability. We need to educate the world on the critical importance of this most rapidly disappearing ecosystem. Without the world’s wetlands, we all hang in the balance,” asserts Rojas Urrego.

  • Buhari rues shrinking Lake Chad

    President Muhammadu Buhari has lamented the effects of climate change as well as shrinking of the Lake Chad on the nation.

    The president made this known while addressing the citizens in a nationwide broadcast as part of activities to mark the nation’s 58th independence anniversary in Abuja on Monday.

    Speaking on the danger of the shrinking of the Lake Chad and climate change, the President said: “We are one of the countries in the world most affected by environmental degradation, as a consequence of climate change.

    “We are signatories to almost all conventions and agreements aimed at slowing down the effect of climate change and mitigating its now evident consequences.”

    According to him,’’ the consequences on lives and livelihoods of the shrinking of the Lake Chad and the pollution caused by oil exploitation activities alone make it mandatory on the nation to be at the forefront of the struggle for a safer and more sustainable environment.

    ‘’We will continue to mobilise international support for our efforts in this regard,’’ he assured.

  • Lagos to partner FBRA on PET waste

    The Lagos State government has indicated interest to partner with the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) on the eradication of post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles that are improperly disposed thereby blocking drainages and canals in our environment.

    The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, disclosed this through the Assistant Director of Environmental Services, Mrs. Tolulope Adeyo in an interview in Lagos recently.

    Adeyo said the issue of waste has been of great concern and that any initiative to eradicate it, like FBRA’s waste collection and recycling scheme, is quite appreciated.

    Adeyo said the government has created an enabling system for organisations working through a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) like FBRA, to thrive in order to attain a common goal of keeping the environment clean.

    She further stated that the Ministry is very much concerned about the sustainability of the environment and has therefore urged citizens in the state to join hands in the cleaning, segregating and proper disposal of waste, especially PET bottles to avoid environmental and health hazards associated with it.

    “We have lots of materials that we use daily that gets into our waste stream due to industrialisation and commercialisation. And because of the poor attitude of companies, wastes are being disposed indiscriminately, particularly plastics and PET bottles. Considering the havoc this cause during the rainy season in several parts of the state, the government has made giant strides in combating waste and is very much eager to collaborate with private sector in ensuring a cleaner and healthy environment,” she affirmed.

    Adeyo commended FBRA, which is the PRO of companies in the food and beverage sector, for its laudable role in ensuring that used PET bottles are mopped up through its partner, Recycle Points.

    With Recycle Points as collection partner, FBRA has made preparations towards recovery of PET bottles from the environment as well as advocacy campaigns focused on awareness and responsible waste management. It’s time to turn our waste into wealth.

    On the eve of the World Cleanup Day on September 15, volunteer staff of FBRA member-firms led traders and other users of Arena Market in Oshodi, Lagos in the recovery of post-consumer PET bottles and other packaging materials towards a cleaner and healthier trading environment.

    The initiative, which received the collaboration of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, was organised in partnership with Recycle Points, FBRA collection partner.

    The Chairman of FBRA, Mrs. Folasade Morgan, said the campaign was used to enlighten traders, shoppers, as well as members of Nurses of-air Foundation on crucial issues relating to proper disposal and separation of waste, recycling, healthy lifestyle and other measures aimed at curbing environmental pollution.

    The Alliance has been adhering to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy of government, which transfers significant responsibility to producers for the entire life-cycle of their products especially at the post-consumer stages.

    It has membership drawn from responsible and forward-thinking companies. These are: Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, The Coca-Cola Company Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Seven-Up Bottling Company Limited and Nestle Nigeria Plc.

    Given its advocacy, it has received commendation from NESREA, the regulator of the environment, for its significant progress towards EPR compliance.

     

     

     

     

     

  • FCTA, UN-Habitats collaborate to urbanise Abuja

    Fresh hopes of urbanisation and creation of sustainable and habitable human settlements in Abuja, received a boost at the weekend.This comes on the heels of a new partnership between the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the United Nations Habitat (UN-Habitat) to address the situation.

    This disclosure was made during the opening ceremony of FCT edition of the “Urban Thinkers Campus” Phase 3, by the Minister of the FCT, Mallam Muhammad Bello. The event had the theme: “The City We Need.”

    According to the minister, the partnership with the UN-Habitat has been carefully designed to ensure that the FCT is not left behind in upholding the best practices of human habitats. The initiative, he explained, was designed to provide a platform for critical stakeholders to brainstorm on how to leverage on the opportunities of urbanisation for creative and positive transformation of cities.

    Bello, who was at the event by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Christian Ohaa, added that the partnership involved a commitment to building an “inclusive, well planned, economically viable, safe and healthy city, among others.

    “We are very hopeful that this roundtable would come up with a dynamic plan of action as well as effective strategies for meeting the challenges confronting Abuja as a city. It would be very critical in the life of this city. Our areas of concern include appraisal of resettlement policies and the prospects of building a smart city,” he said.

    In  a  similar vein, a representative of Huaroui Commission, Dr. Limota Goroso-Giwa, said the FCT was among the 37 selected global cities that are hosting of the “Urban Thinkers Campus” pilot project. The project, she explained, is focused on creating political space for projecting the desired kind of urban cities in the next 35 years and beyond.

    “Although Abuja is a fast developing city, there is the need to look at ways to incorporate every aspect of development and infrastructure. We are looking at evaluating and solving the problems associated with Abuja, as a city that the world is looking up to,” she said.

    Also, the UN-Habitat Nigeria Programme Manager, Kabir Yari, disclosed that the initiative was aimed at promoting a global all inclusive sustainable cities and human settlements, which is hoped would help in bridging the gap in the development of a society through provision of basic services for all human settlements, measure that promote cleaner cities. Yari said as part of commitment to the project, governments are expected to develop and adopt an inclusive implementation process as part of their commitment to the programme.

    When this project is achieved, it is expected to bring succour to the estimated 80 per cent of the population in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said to be living in the slums where basic social amenities are scarce .

    This position was aptly captured in an address delivered by a former Acting Director, Satellite Development Department ( STDD), Victoria Imande, at the event. Imande spoke on the: Slum upgrade for indigenous settlements, Appraisal of Resettlement policies-The way forward.

    She blamed the preponderance of slum settlements on the huge cost of securing decent accommodation in city centres, thus making people take residence in the border areas.

     

  • Dangote sparks African real estate sector

    Operators under the aegis of Africa Real Estate Society (AFRES), have described as “unquantifiable,” the contributions of the Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote, in lessening the burden of unemployment through his contributions to the real estate sector of the African economy.

    They, therefore, called on African leaders to encourage him to do more by obliging him all necessary cooperation to set up more businesses in the sector.

    The real estate practitioners, who were on a facility tour of the 12 million per annum metric tons Dangote Cement Ibese plant at the weekend, expressed surprise at the share giant size of the plant and described it as massive and one of the biggest in Africa

    The AFRES members particularly praised Dangote for his steady and continuous industrialisation of Africa through his cement business.

    Speaking after the tour, AFRES President, Catherine Kariuki, a Kenyan, said Dangote is a pillar of industries in Africa, whose love for the development of African states has made him to spread his businesses across the African continent.

    “Dangote is helping to reduce poverty in Africa by establishing companies in African countries. He is a pillar in African economy and needs all the encouragement from the African leaders.

    “Nigeria is blessed to have a man who has a vision and has translated the vision to building industries and impacting positively on his people and environment and gradually changing the African narratives from that of doom to boom.”

    She said that the exploits of Dangote in business has stood him out in Africa and praised his business acumen which has translated to the giant cement plants across the African continent and that real estate sector operators are very appreciative of that.

    Kakuiri stated: “Dangote is a pillar of Africa that needs to be encouraged because in terms of industries, none like him yet. He is in several African countries and having listened to the presentations on how he started and after going round to see the plants, you will see that Dangote has a vision and has been keeping to the vision through good leadership and governance’

    “If you want to succeed in business you must have a vision and objective of going into the business and stay within the objectives and values. We are very impressed; the plant is massive, the company takes security issue very important and I can see that a lot of the operations here is automated and yet he still employs a lot of people

    “We were told of the efforts being put in the rehabilitation of the mines area from where limestone has been excavated, that is good but I will also advise that there is a lot to learn from Kenya where Bamburi has done rehabilitation of its Bamburi site and the site has become a tourist centre in Kenya.

    In his address to the AFRES members, the Ibese Plant Director, Armando Martinez, thanked the association for choosing Nigeria for their conference and choosing to visit Dangote Cement as part of their programme.

    Martinez said the Dangote Cement was indeed excited seeing members of the society cutting across countries of the world and not just Africa, adding that such composition fits into the global business strategy of the Dangote Cement. He acquainted the visitors with the operations of the Dangote Cement Ibese and how the company has been giving back to the communities as corporate organisation that is socially responsible.

    “Dangote has impacted its host communities positively, we build roads, we provide water, we give scholarship, and offer manpower trainings to develop the people intellectually and physically,” Martinez said.

     

  • Climate Diplomacy Week: EU, others urge positive global climate action

    The week-long series of activities by the European Union and partners, the Climate Diplomacy Week 2018 in Nigeria was rounded off in Abuja, last Friday.

    The European Union delegations around the world utilised the  week as a time to reach out to communities and partner organisations to highlight positive global action and collaboration on climate change. The focal areas of the programmes were on renewable energy, food security, water management, waste management, youth engagements, and environmental degradation as it relates to climate change.

    The week opened in Abuja on Monday, September 24 with a policy dialogue and panel discussion on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy potentials. In attendance were the European Union, Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Ketil Karlsen; Regine Hess, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Abuja; Representatives from the Federal Ministry of Environment, civil society organisations, corps members and members of the public.

    In line with the central theme for the EU climate diplomacy week 2018, Talanoa Dialogue, a panel session focused on Youth Involvement in Climate Action held on Thursday, September 27. The panel, which was moderated by ‘Seyifunmi Adebote, had as panelists Climate Change and Sustainability expert, Linda Akpami, Climate Reality Leader, Abdullahi Ali Buhari, and Femi Akanji, CEO of Dapper ESL. The interactive session ended with the audience pledging to take six different climate actions towards Nigeria achieving her Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

    The event ended on Friday with a dialogue on waste management. Maria Yetano Roche of the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environmental and Energy made a presentation on Climate Change and Waste in Nigeria: Challenges and Opportunities; Funto Boroffice, CEO of Chanja Datti Recycling Limited, made a presentation on: Integrating Economic Incentives to Promote Environmental Consciousness”and Manuina Maibe, Head of Product Development, Sustainability and CSR of Visionscape Group Nigeria, made a presentation on Sustainable Systems for Waste Management in Emerging Markets.

    There were exhibitions and presentations by a number of resource persons and schools, movie screenings and other activities as other lineup of the week’s activities. The Climate Diplomacy Week 2018 in Nigeria by the European Union Delegation in Nigeria and ECOWAS, the Embassies of Germany, Sweden, and France, One Environment, Stop Don’t Drop, Chanja Datti and #PickThatTrash has been able to raise public awareness, open platforms for further discussions, and promote policies and practices for a climate-resilient future.

  • Experts seek review of ‘obsolete’ surveying laws

    SURVEYORS have called for a review of laws governing survey practice.

    At a professional development workshop and luncheon organised by the Association of Private Practising Surveyors of Nigeria (APPSN), a sub-group of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), stakeholders, including politicians and lawyers, they submitted that the was long overdue.

    The theme was:“Participation and influence of partisan politics: the future of surveying practice in Nigeria”. The guest speaker, Mr. Olugbuyiro Akinola, urged surveyors to review the law and take advantage of advancement in technology in growing the sector.

    He said Decree 44 of 1989 has become obsolete  to take into cognisance the  evolving modern technology  in the 21st century, stressing that there’s need to review the obsolete law and embrace new happenings in the industry.

    “This is a wake-up call for surveyors because of the advancement in technology. Surveyors are using those technologies already but the law can be advanced to protect their practice. Data are being used everywhere – home and cars, to locate roads and addresses. Pilots, sailors and builders need data, which is being generated by surveyors. Therefore, survey must not be at the sideline of society; it must come to the forefront of the society,” he argued.

    Akinola pointed out that geographical information service (GIS) figures and others are data compiled by surveyors, suggesting that  the  laws governing the advancement in technology must be advanced.

    “The surveyors must be in the forefront of the development in their own profession,” he said.

    The lawyer also called on surveyors to establish an interest group that would be saddled with lobbying the government and other organisations for the interest of their profession. Surveyors, he further urged, should pull resources together to advance the cause of their profession in the states and National Assemblies.

    This position was supported by another guest speaker and Member, Oyo State House of Assembly, Dr. Oyetunji Olusegun, who urged   surveyors  to  seeK elective positions.

    “When professionals fail to participate in politics; they would not be able to partake in the decisions that would affect their profession. But when they are there, you would be able to advise government appropriately before decisions are being taken,” he said.

    APPSN Chairman, Mr. Olufemi Odetunmibi, agreed with the guest speakers. According to him, without getting involved in politics, it becomes impossible to understand how decisions are made and also influence same. Therefore, he contends, if surveyors are there at the point of taking decisions, then their profession and interests will be guarded.

    Odetunmibi stated that life itself is dynamic, therefore, there is the need to continuously review  the laws and standards  to support the practice of the profession. “We need to advance  the body of knowledge. We need to be improving everyday to take advantage of advancement in technology. The instrumentality have changed, so we need to improve, we need to progress. It is natural that we must review our laws,” he said.

  • What to consider before signing lease agreement

    To majority of tenants, renting an apartment does not strike them as a big deal. They simply find a place they like, sign the lease agreement, pay and move in.

    However, as easy as this might seem, experts have warned that there is a need to be particularly thorough and have a clear understanding of the content before appending your signature. This is because the lease agreement is one of the most important documents when renting an apartment as it spells out what is permissible and what is not.

    “What makes it even more crucial is the fact that it is legally binding on both you and the landlord. This is why you should never sign a lease blindly,” warned Samod Biobaku, in a piece published in an online platform, Private Property Nigeria.

    Here are some key questions to ask just before you sign the lease:

     

    When is the Rent Expected to be due?

    You can’t just assume that the landlord expects you to pay your rent within the first month after your rent expires. It doesn’t work that way. If this is not contained in your lease agreement, then you need to ask. In a situation where you have made a decision to renew your rent at the end of the first month after your rent expires while your landlord is expecting you to make payment on the first day of the month, there is bound to be friction.

    For instance, if your rent expires in August 2018 and you have decided to renew your rent on September 26, 2018, you are likely to fall on the bad side of your landlord who might have expected you to renew your lease on September 1, 2018. One way to avoid this is to ensure this is contained in your lease agreement before you sign. If this detail is not covered, you need to ask your landlord.

    How should you pay your rent?

    Money is a very sensitive part of a lease. As essential as a lease agreement is, it might not contain details of how the landlord wants you to get the money across. Paying your rent can actually be as simple as a transfer from your mobile phone but the expectations of your landlord might be totally different. If your landlord belongs to the old school ways of sorting out monetary transactions, you might just find yourself in a situation where you have to drop off a copy of the bank teller at a specified location.

    The best way to find out what your landlord prefers is to ask the question before you sign the lease. If you find his/her preferences a bit stressful, you can come up with alternatives and share them with him/her.

     

    What happens if you break your lease?

    When renting an apartment, you usually would not have the mindset of breaking the lease mid-way into the agreement, but these things happen. So it is only ideal not to be caught off-guard. It is important to find out what the policy is before you append your signature to the lease. If there is a penalty or fine involved, you should not be finding out after signing the lease. In some cases, breaking your lease might result in the loss of your caution fee (also known as security deposit).

     

    What are the terms of the lease?

    It is not enough to discuss the terms of your lease without documenting it. The terms of your lease need to be documented in a way that it is considered a legal document. A 30-minute conversation with the landlord cannot be taken to represent the terms of your lease. It is okay to have a verbal conversation with the landlord after you have gone through a copy of the lease agreement but in the eyes of the law, a verbal discussion is not legally binding on either you or the landlord.

    If you go through the terms of the lease and you notice anything missing, do not hesitate to ask questions and you should remember that the lease is not a rigid document that cannot be reviewed. So long as the document is signed by you and the landlord, it becomes a legal document.

     

    Is there any restriction on guests?

    Some lease agreements place some ground rules on guests and how long they are allowed to stay in your apartment. Do not make any assumptions on what obtains based on your experience or what you consider rational. There are cases where the lease does not allow someone who is of the opposite sex pass the night in your apartment; with the exception of relatives. The issue of guests can be quite sensitive to some landlords just as they might be to you as well. This is one question you definitely need to ask.

     

    Will you get your caution fee back?

    Landlords and agents are not always favourably disposed to returning your caution fee even after you have made it clear that you are relocating. Most times, the landlord gets away with this for two major reasons – first, this detail was not included in the lease and because the tenant failed to ask. The homeowner should be clear on whether the caution fee is going to be refunded or not. In an ideal situation, the caution fee should be refunded to the tenant when moving out especially when there is no mess or damage left behind. To make things clearer, you can ask the landlord to draw up scenarios where you would have to forfeit your caution fee. However, there are ways to avoid losing your caution fee.

     

    How far can you go with personalisation?

    Some lease agreements are very strict on how much personalisation you are allowed to carry out in your rented apartment, while others are particularly flexible. The question is which option best describes yours? You should never sweep this under the carpet or assume it is something you are entitled to just because you have paid your rent. Before you carry out any personalisation in your apartment, you have to be sure that the lease you signed allows this. When asking these questions, you need to stretch it by citing examples of the type of modifications and personalisation you might have in mind. For instance, ask the landlord if it is okay to install a window unit air conditioning system in your apartment. The answers provided by your landlord should be covered in the lease agreement else there might be a need to review it before you append your signature to it.

     

    Final thoughts

    When you are renting your first apartment, you are more prone to mistakes because, at that point, you are quite vulnerable. It could be the excitement of renting your first apartment or it could just be the fact that you are juggling several balls at the same time.

    Asking questions before you sign the lease is a smart way to avoid making uninformed decisions. Remember that you need to read the lease before you ask the questions to avoid a situation where the landlord keeps responding with the line: “It is included in the lease…”

     

    • Biobaku is in private property practice