The Nation Newspaper

Category: Building & Properties

  • Paris Agreement: ’Nigeria moving in right direction’

    A group, Climate Scorecard, has given Nigeria a pass mark, saying that the West African nation “is moving in the right direction, although it still needs to do more” towards the realisation of the Paris Agreement.

    The commendation is contained in the group’s “Global Spotlight Project for March 2018.”

    The Paris Agreement is within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It deals with greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance starting in the year 2020. The agreement sets out a global action plan to put the world on track to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C.

    Nigeria’s recent issuance of the Sovereign Green Bond (or Climate Bond) appears to have influenced its three-star rating in the monthly assessment of 20 countries (including the EU) with high emission levels.

    Other ratings include: four-star – Moving forward to combat climate change and support the Paris Agreement; two-star – the country is Standing Still; and one-star – the country is falling behind in its climate change efforts.

    According to the Climate Scorcard, the Green Bond Fund has the potential to move the country forward in fulfilling its Paris Agreement pledge, but that other steps need to be taken in order for the potential to be fully realised.

    On Thursday, December 14, 2017 at the Nigeria Green Bond Investors Forum in Abuja, Patience Oniha, the Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO), said the Federal Government planned to issue N10.6 billion Green Bonds to finance renewable energy projects to protect the environment.

    Climate Scorcard, however, warned that the Green Bond initiative needed to establish transparency and accountability for its efforts, adding that the government needs to strengthen its communications about the programme so that all Nigerians,  especially businesses, know about it. The group adds that the Nigerian government should ensure that the bonds are utilised by renewable energy and other types of green businesses.

    Out of the 20 nations assessed, only Italy got a four-star rating, ostensibly for its National Energy Strategy, which was approved last November. Sixteen nations (including Nigeria) got three-star ratings, while three got one-star assessments. No country or region got a two-star rating.

    The countries include: Australia, Germany, India (one-star), Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Eurpean Union, France, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Nigeria, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States (three-star) and Italy (four-star).

    According to Climate Scorecard, the monthly Global Summary Reports are intended to be of use to those concerned about climate change and the success of the Paris Agreement, pointing out that it provides links to spotlight reports on activities in leading greenhouse gas emitting countries in relation to climate change mitigation and/or adaptation.

  • ‘LUC to tackle $50 billion infrastructure deficit’

    Since the beginning of its implementation last month, the Land Use Charge (LUC), a revised Lagos State property tax law of 2018, has remained in public discourse. The LUC, a consolidation of ground rent, tenement rate, and neighbourhood improvement levy, is aimed at raising revenue for infrastructural development in the state.  Notwithstanding the government’s intension, it has drawn criticisms from some sectors and polarised stakeholders in the real estate market. The Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade,  in this interview with real estate reporters,  explains the nitty-gritty of the LUC and how it will be implemented. MUYIWA LUCAS was there. Excerpts:

    What is Land Use Charge (LUC) based on and why its introduction at this time?

    The Land Use Charge(LUC) is not a new form of taxation.The Law backing it was first enacted in 2001. The LUC Law was repealed and re-enacted to address some identified challenges which include but not limited to lack of clarity on the LUC formula to support self assessment; obsolete rates which had not been reviewed in over a decade; need to improve LUC administration efficiency. The new LUC law also provides a robust legal and regulatory framework to support ongoing LUC administration reforms aimed at growing the state’s economy. LUC shall be payable in respect of all real estate property situated in Lagos State.

    In what area of the economy will government plough the proceeds from the LUC to?

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s passion for infrastructure development has never been in doubt. His urban renewal, infrastructure development and employment drive requires humongous amount of money, not to mention healthcare delivery, housing, education, or security. Therefore, to meet the infrastructural challenges, occasioned by the ever-growing population, we would channel the proceeds of the new LUC to tackle $50 billion infrastructure deficit in Lagos within the next five years. To continue to renew our infrastructure and build new ones, we would need to spend $50 billion. With this reality, if we have to spend all our budget without doing any other thing, it would take 19 years to be able to fix the deficit and if the state government borrows money to meet the need, it would be at high interest rates. But who will even lend us such money? Therefore, the new tax regime is property taxation system.

    There has been resentment with the public and interest groups calling for a return to status quo ante. How would you react to this?

    Look, any sincere resident, especially property owners, would agree with the government that increase in the LUC was progressive because it collapsed three previous taxes into one. Besides, the previous LUC which became obsolete, was supposed to be reviewed every five years but was not updated for 16 years, hence the new LUC, which captured current economic realities. Also to reveal government’s consideration, openness and transparency of the new regime, it had different rates for property owners and relief of 40 percent on taxable property value across board. The state government will implement  the new tax regime with human face. Lagosians must trust us with the tax; we are going to invest it in infrastructure judiciously.

    How will the LUC affect businesses in the economy?

    The new LUC was factored to facilitate ease of doing business. Under the new Land Use Charge Law, owners-occupiers would be expected to pay 0.076 percentage of the value of the assessed property. For example, the retirees and those with any disabilities would be exempted from any form of payment. There is also an assurance that the government would protect tenants whom landlords might want to exploit because of the LUC.

    Do you share the position that the LUC may lead to reduction of investments in real estate sector?

    How will that happen? To start with, is tax payment a statutory obligation or punitive legislation? If it’s part of civic responsibility of citizens to pay tax, where is the error in paying land use charge? What I think people should be talking about is fairness of valuation, whether it’s arbitrary or just. And if you look at what we have been saying, you’ll see the sincerity of purpose on the part of this government as far as land use charge issue is concerned.

    So, how did you arrive at the percentage charged for LUC?

    The formula that shall be used to determine the annual amount of LUC payable is the Land Value + Building Development Value multiplied by Relief Rate and Charge Rate. The formular is [(LA x LR) + (BA x BR x DR) x RR x CR], where LA= area of the land parcel in square metres; LR= average Market Value of a land parcel in the neighbourhood, on a per square metre basis in naira based on Market Value of the property as determined by professional valuers appointed by the Commissioner for Finance for that purpose.

    What are the palliatives you have built into this LUC tax regime?

    There is 40 percent relief for all property liable to LUC. Also, a 10 percent relief for owners and occupiers, including persons with disabilities; a 10 percent relief for owners and occupiers of 70 years old and above; a 10 percent relief for properties above 25 years; a five percent relief for properties occupied by their owners for over 12 years; a 20 percent relief for non-revenue generating federal and state government property, and 20 percent partial relief for non-profit making organisations. In addition, some properties are exempted from the LUC payment, such as properties used for public and religious activities; properties used as registered educational institutes and charitable activities; properties occupied and owned by pensioners of 60 years and above; public cemeteries and burial ground and all palaces of recognised Obas and Chiefs in the state.

  • Surveyors challenge professionals at product platform launch

    Determined to checkmate the activities of quacks in the building and construction industry, the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) through its Faculty of Estate Agency and Marketing, has launched a Multiple Listing Site for members to have contact with buyers of real estate products.

    At the unveiling of the website in Lagos, the chairman of the occasion, Emeka Eleh, an estate surveyor and valuer, described the initiative as worthwhile, noting that it is something that members have been expecting for a longtime.

    He lauded the Faculty of Estate Agency and Marketing, a business division of NIESV for berthing the dream which, he said, would  promote credibility in real estate transactions.

    Speaking on the initiative, the chairman, Faculty of Estate Agency and Marketing, Sam Eboigbe, noted that the website is for NIESV members nationwide to advertise lands, and property in Nigeria and abroad. He stressed that the scheme would redeem the already bastardised name and promote easy identification of the core professionals who will render truthful service.

    “We have decided to do things more professionall and efficiently to ensure that we serve our clients all over Nigeria. Here you are dealing with professionals who are regulated by law. If you engage with us directly, you won’t pay us fees. About 400 members are already registered on the platform. It will be beneficial to our clients and our members. We have codes to follow on the platform and if you don’t follow the codes, you will be disqualified”, he stated.

    In a lecture, the Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Shepherds Limited, Idorenyen Enang, stressed that activities of quacks in the profession have made it difficult to differentiate between the professionals and those who are not supposed to be in the trade. He stated that what needs to be done at the moment is to identify and establish brand positioning as well as brainstorm on ideas and technologies that would turn the fortune of the business for good.

    Delivering a lecture on the theme: Business Frontiers in the real estate industry,  Enang suggested that what needs to be done is to identify and establish brand positioning and brainstorm on ideas and technologies that would make the profession more profitable amid the economic challenges.

    “NIESV should build great brand, this must have staying power, authentic, and maintain consistency which is about building credibility that is communicated to everyone. You should not commoditise your profession but make it a brand. You must articulate a vision; define your value proposition, the unique value you’re offering to the clients, create a good identity, logo and communicate your brand with consistent value offering. Positioning is the way we want consumers to think and feel about our brand. NIESV needs to know that positioning is often the difference between marketing success and a failure. What makes a brand include; memorability, meaningfulness, likability, adaptability and protectability”, he stated

    In his presentation on: “New opportunities, prospects, compliance and proposals”, a Principal Partner of Gbenga Olaniyan & Associate, Mr. Gbenga Olaniyan, explained that members should develop the types of property that the people require, offer flexible payment plan because of the market and  form partnerships to consult for investment clubs.

    He noted that some of the opportunities to explore include facility management, research, virtual office development, guaranteed rents, auctioneering, concessions in ‘A’ grade property letting, portfolio optimisation consultancy, among others.

  • Cities responsible for 75% of global Co2 emissions

    A study has shown that cities are responsible for some 75 percent of global carbon dioxide (Co2) emissions; transport and buildings are among the largest contributors.

    To this end, experts have established a global blueprint to better understand climate change, its impacts on cities, and the critical role local authorities play in solving this challenge. The research agenda was drawn up at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Cities and Climate Change Science Conference that ended in Edmonton, Canada, this month.

    “The impacts of climate change are already being felt in our urban areas, and the next few years are critical for determining how effectively we will rise to the challenge of protecting our cities. However, we can’t undertake this work blindly. At this conference, we have been able to coalesce around the most important areas of inquiry so we can use precious time and resources in the most efficient and targeted way possible. And this research won’t just help save our cities,   it will also improve them for generations to come,” said Seth Schultz, Director of Science and Innovation, C40 Climate Leadership Group, and one of the co-chairs of the conference’s Scientific Steering Committee.

    A primary focus of the conference was on the Paris Agreement, the UN’s Sustainable Development goals, the New Urban Agenda, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, all of which require cities to implement new sustainable development plans to adapt and respond to climate change.

    The range of knowledge gained from the sessions helped chart a course for current and future sources of emissions, urban climate impacts, and pathways for cities to pursue emissions reduction and resilience strategies.

    UN Climate Change is also promoting more climate ambition on the part of cities and increased investment in investing in livable, low-carbon, resilient urban development.

    The recently launched “Cities and Regions Talanoa Dialogue” provides opportunities to advance governance on climate action, specifically in urban areas. The scheme aims to ensure coordinated action across all levels of government, and will be facilitated by ICLEI -Local Governments for Sustainability with Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy and UN-Habitat as special partners.

    This is part of the wider Talanoa Dialogue launched by the Presidency of the UN Climate Change Conference COP23 in Bonn last year, an important international conversation in which countries will check progress and seek to increase global ambition to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

    The conference was co-sponsored by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) , with nine partners – C40 Cities , Cities Alliance, Future Earth, ICLEI, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment), UN-Habitat, and the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP).

    “Years from now we will look back at this conference time in Edmonton and celebrate how the collaboration between the scientific community, policymakers and practitioners helped initiate positive change at the local level. I’m so proud that Edmonton was able to play host to some of the brightest minds on our globe and I’m committed to furthering the efforts that came out of this conference,” said Don Iveson, Mayor of Edmonton.

    The CitiesIPCC conference helped forge stronger partnerships among the 750 leaders, innovators, and influencers who registered, and cultivated a collaborative environment among academics, policymakers and practitioners to share new findings, initiatives and programmes. Over 6,000 others from more than 30 countries followed the conference online.

    “Business-as-usual will not save the world. This conference disrupted the traditional story of the world’s cities to show how science can partner with policy and practice to transform the world’s cities into climate-smart, equitable and sustainable homes for all,” said Debra Roberts, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group II, and a member of the conference’s Scientific Steering Committee.

    “With the contributions of cities and the risks to cities in the context of climate change loud and clear, solution-oriented knowledge is a must. This conference was a milestone on the way to a collective effort by the science, policy and practice communities to co-create and co-design a global research agenda for the future and for forging partnerships among them,” said Shobhakar Dhakal of the Asian Institute of Technology and one of the co-chairs of the conference’s Scientific Steering Committee.

    “This conference is not just a milestone for how the research community thinks about co-designing its priorities with diverse voices from across society. It has also issued a call to strengthen the social sciences so that we can better understand complex questions like the role of informal settlements in addressing climate change. We can only create real transformative changes in cities through research focusing on issues of equity, power distribution, integration of values, and human behaviour,” said Anne-Hélène Prieur-Richard, Global Hub Director, Montreal, of Future Earth and one of the members of the conference’s Organising Committee.

  • LASURA partners NGO on slum redevelopment

    In accordance with her plan to reduce the blighted areas in the state at five percent yearly, Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA) has collaborated with Justice and Empowerment Initiative (JEI), a non-governmental Organisation, to rid the state of challenges facing slum dwellers in the state.

    At a stakeholders meeting held in LASURA’s Ikeja office, the General Manager of the agency, Mr. Lateef Sholebo, stated that his agency’s plan of five percent annual reduction of slums in the state is crucial for improving the living condition of slum dwellers for a sustainable environment. He assured that his agency would not relent in achieving that plan.

    He said the Orisumbare Community was one of the slums LASURA plans to intervene in by facilitating the improvement in their living condition. This is by way of upgrading and empowering the community through the provision of infrastructure such as roads, drainages, drinkable water and electricity, among others. He revealed that it was one of the reasons why officials of the agency conducted enumeration and profiling of the residents of Orisumbare, in partnership with JEI.

    According to Sholebo, the study made the agency to know the basic infrastructure needs of the community, which he said would be provided by the government before total redevelopment of the slum.

    He assured the residents of the community that they would be encouraged to participate in the process of achieving the goal of upgrading and future redevelopment of the slum, adding that his agency intended to partner with private investors, NGOs and  other stakeholders in achieving the goals and objectives.

    The General Secretary of Orisumbare Community Association, Mr. Owolabi Mudashiru, praised LASURA for showing concern for the community and pleaded with the state government to urgently intervene in the community by providing basic infrastructure like water, drainages, electricity and roads for a better living condition.

    The co- founder of JEI, Mr. Andrew Mavin, thanked Sholebo for giving his organisation the opportunity to partner with the agency. He solicited for more synergy between the two organisations for bringing improvement to the slum.

    Andrew said that it was good for his NGO to work with LASURA as partners in progress since it was the responsibility of government to ensure general welfare of the people and that encouraged his organisation to associate with the agency.

  • Adediji is EDM President

    A past President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Mr. Oyebode Adediji, is the president of the Alumni Association of the Faculty of Environmental Design and Management (EDM), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

    The association was inaugurated last week on the sidelines of the Alumni Reunion of the faculty, under the chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof Chris Ajila.

    Adediji holds a Bachelor of Science in Estate Management and was the best graduating student of the Department in 1979. He also holds a Master’s in Estate Management (Urban Land Appraisal), Reading University, United Kingdom.

    He is a member of many professional bodies, including NIESV; Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON), International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI); African Real Estate Society (AFRES), Nigerian-South African Chamber of Commerce(NSACC) and Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria.

    The new cabinet members of the association include: Lasabi Tunde, Biyi Adesanya, Akin Olawore, Leke Oduwaye, Toyin Akpan, Wale Olaoye.

    Others are Wasiu Akewusola, Sesan Obe, Lekan Adeosun and Olanrewaju Akintilo.

  • Don proffers solution on saving Lake Chad

    Academic and environmental expert Prof. Haruna Ayuba has proposed evaporation suppression as alternative technique to save Lake Chad from extinction.

    Ayuba, who teaches at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), spoke in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    He said water transfer was the first option in restoring the lake, adding that this will require the movement of water from another river.

    ‘‘Suppressing evaporation can also help in the restoration of Lake Chad. We live in the tropics and we receive much water from rainfall.

    ‘‘The water disappears through evaporation; we can suppress the evaporation which is the amount of moisture that goes up into the atmosphere.

    ‘‘Part of the reasons for the drying up of Lake Chad is the high rate of evaporation of water,” he opined.

    The don said stakeholders should create more awareness on measures to save the lake.

    ‘‘Climate change is a developmental issue, every hand must be on deck.

    ‘‘We need to build capacity, tell people the signs of climate change, because some people don’t understand that.

    ‘‘We need all the experts, stakeholders to develop a policy framework that people need to follow,” he said.

    Similarly, he said with proper use of science and technology, scientists can reduce challenges of restoring the shrinking lake.

    According to him, development of science and technology in Nigeria is still laid-back, adding that the country lacks a strategic plan to build the sector.

    He decried the lack of equipment for science-related courses in tertiary institutions.

    Ayuba noted that polytechnics, which were established to drive the sector, have been allegedly disregarded.

    ‘‘We have also killed our polytechnics; the polytechnics are supposed to help in building the technical manpower in the country.

    ‘‘Now, the emphasis is on paper qualification, even those who graduate from polytechnics are coming to take degrees all over again,” he said.

    He said the nation should  emphasise practical application of acquired knowledge and discourage paper qualification.

    NAN reports that Lake Chad Basin has shrunk to 2,500 square kilometres in 2000 from its 1960s’ size of 25,000.

     

  • Akiolu seeks support for Lagos waste management policy’

    The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has advised private  waste managers against sabotaging the government’s Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI).

    Speaking against the backdrop of some Private Sector Participants (PSP) arrested for allegedly dumping waste on major streets across the state, Oba Akiolu said the development was unfortunate and  cautioned them against discrediting the new waste management regime.

    He warned residents against dumping refuse in public places, saying the CLI was for the benefit of all. The Oba called for support for Visionscape to rid the state of refuse.

    Oba Akiolu spoke at a Town Hall meeting at the City Hall on Lagos Island to sensitise market women and others on the CLI project and to ensure a cleaner environment.

    According to him, Lagosians will ensure that the state is not littered with refuse, warning that he will not beg for anybody arrested by the government for dumping refuse at unauthorised places.

    The monarch said the government had put in place a mechanism to deal with waste, saying  this kind of enlightenment would be carried out in other parts of the state.

    He urged Lagosians not to patronise cart pushers as some of them hide arms in their carts to wreck havoc, as well as dump such refuse in inappropriate places.

    “I was in security service for 32 years, most of these miscreants are armed robbers who hide their guns, live ammunition under these carts  but with the initiative of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, things are going to be better. We are going to have a cleaner Lagos provided we have 100 per cent cooperation from the citizens, which is very necessary,” he said, adding that the need for such cooperation of the people made him to hold the  meeting.

    Lagos, he explained, has started to grow better and bigger; hence, the need for market women and men to cooperate.

    Also, the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosimi-Etti warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorised places, saying that perpetrators would face sanction.

    The commissioner reassured that the new solid waste management system was well-thought out and positioned to offer solution to the waste management challenge thrown up by population increase and facility deficit that the state has had to contend with over time.

    He said the PSP operators could not cope with the huge refuse in Lagos because the population kept growing, saying that they did not have the equipment to cope, especially with the rise in foreign exchange.

    According to him, this was what informed the Ambode administration to get a new consortium, Visionscape, to handle domestic waste, while the PSP operators would handle commercial waste.

    Durosimi-Etti appealed to Lagosians to bag their waste properly so that refuse would not litter the streets, urging them to report people seen dumping refuse in unauthorised places to the government.

    The Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, said Lagos had always been a role model to other states, urging the market women to contribute their quota to make Lagos cleaner and better than it was.

    He called on Visionscape and the government to provide market women with thicker waste carriers so that they could bag their waste properly, assuring that the market women would cooperate to make Lagos clean and embrace CLI.

    Chairman, Lagos Island Local Government, Prince Adetoyosi Olusi appealed to people on the Island to embrace the culture of bagging their waste and dumping them in designated places where the waste collectors would cart them away.

    He called for the ban of scavenger, saying they normally litter the environment.

    Temidire Folashade Tinubu-Ojo Market Secretary, Ikawoolaso, Oshodi, Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area, Mr. Mukaila Bolaji, praised the government for the initiative and promised that his members would cooperate with the government.

    He said the gathering had made him and his members to be more informed about the operation.

     

  • PSP operators to Ambode: bring waste managers together

    THE Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWMAN) have urged Governor Akinw unmi Ambode to bring operators, including Visionscape Sanitation Solution, together to fashion out the best way to deal with waste.

    The operators suggested a six-point agenda to help the sanitary condition of the state. It includes waste being tackled at the point of generation by enforcing the government’s policy of door-to-door collection; ensuring that dumpsites are accessible, especially during the rains; massive advocacy and enlightenment programmes for the people and enforcement of sanitation practices of bagging and containerisation of wastes.

    Others are: sustainable enforcement for non-compliance to house-to-house disposal and non-payment as well as the need for  stakeholders to avoid creating division in waste management.

    “We are proud of being responsible for making Lagos a clean state, but we are saddened to see wastes return to our beloved city. Besides, we are not ready to yield to official blackmail but rather, to adhere strictly to continue work, despite the air of uncertainty that surrounded this sector in the past two years, especially, the state of dumpsites,” Egbeyemi said.

    Similarly, a member of the rival group, under the aegis of Concerned Waste Collectors (CWC), Mrs. Bamidele Hussein, while praising Ambode for allowing her group to stay, claimed that it’s their love for the state that made them to resume activities and not the desire to make money.

    Responding to AWMAN’s allegation, she accused the CWC of betraying the struggle for better business climate, Mrs Hussein said the former were not being considerate.

    “Yes, all of us went to court at the beginning of this struggle. But having realised that we want to jeopardise the health of our people by not collecting wastes, and for the fact the government has agreed with some of our terms, the most responsible thing is to go back to work, which our partners refused to do,” she said.

  • Hubmart opens Lekki outlet

    THE retail sub-sector of the property market got a boost recently with the inauguration of the Hubmart Store, Lekki, Lagos.

    The outlet, situated beside The Place on Admiralty Way, is the brand’s resolve to remain a key player in the retail space.

    Hubmart’s Managing Director, Mr Murat Bekhtaslar, said at the inauguration  that the objective of the brand is to be accessible to Nigerians.

    He said Hubmart is a Nigerian brand that its customer-centric.

    “We believe we are the ultimate service provider to our customers as they are utmost in our minds in whatever we do,” he said.

    Murat highlighted the importance of Hubmart’s activities and its contribution to growth. “With each outlet, we significantly increase the number of people gainfully employed, of vendors within our system and those who offer support services.

    ‘’The multiplier effect of this definitely impacts positively on the earnings of our people and, in turn, economic growth,” he said.

    He explained that in the new retail outlet, Hubmart emphasises  equipment, products, and its principal goal of delivering fresh products to its consumers.

    He said: “We are convinced that we are the leaders in fresh products as we leave no stone unturned technologically and otherwise to ensure our products get to our customers fresh.”

    Also, the firm’s Vice President, Marketing Cheng Fuller, said during the last Valentine’s Day, the store harped on its mantra of “Happy to Help … always” as guests thronged its “love corner.

    Muratsaid plans were afoot to open other outlets within the Lekki axis and three more malls before the year runs out.