The Nation Newspaper

Category: Building & Properties

  • SON, stakeholders begin review of cement standard

    SON, stakeholders begin review of cement standard

    The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has held a stakeholders’ Technical Committee Forum on the review of standard for Cement NIS 444-1-2014 with the theme: “Repositioning the Cement sub- sector”.

    The forum, which held in Lagos, comes four years after the Federal Government approved new cement standard for the producers, aimed at  reviewing the quality of the products.

    The grade-strengths of cement production in Nigeria have been NlS 444-1, adopted as conformity criteria for cement.

    The committee in the wake of  protests against the building collapse, fingered low quality of cement as a key factor. There were  fears over misapplication of the different strength classes of cement allegedly attributed as the cause of frequent collapse of buildings in the country.

    At the forum, SON’s Director-General, Mr. Osita Aboloma, noted that the exercise is “imperative as standards can be reviewed after five years or at anytime at the instance of the stakeholders or if found inadequate due to changes in technology, test methods and government policy”.

    Aboloma, represented by the Director, Standards Development, Mrs. Chinyere Egwuonwu, said cement standard is a important, given that about 80 per cent or more of buildings and other infrastructural development of any nation are carried out with the use of cement. He expressed confidence that the proposed standard will help monitor the quality of cement in Nigeria as well as checkmate the menace of incessant collapse of buildings and concrete structures by poor cement quality and application.

    Egwuonwu said this makes the review of the NIS444-1-2014 very necessary so that the country can attain world best standard, while  promoting product sales.

    She maintained that to develop a certain standard for the country certain principles must be adhered to because the country also belong to an international standard body.

    “Cement is a binder for all the components of the building and its poor application in the construction has been blamed for failures and collapse in the building and construction industry. The standard is a consensus document that promotes trade and ensure a positive impact on the national economy, if strictly adhered to. “Standard development is a stakeholders responsibility for which the SON provides the secretariat,” she said.

    The Chairman, Technical Committee for the review, Professor Joseph Odigwe, said the forum was aimed at regulating the standard of the product in the country and the concentration  is to create standard for all brands of cement in the country.

    The Founder, Building Collapse and Prevention Guild (BCPG) Mr. Kunle Awobolu, advised that government can help in the reduction of prices of cement through the provision of infrastructure such as road and electricity, adding that cost and price are as important as standard.

    The national president of block moulders association of Nigeria, Mr. Rasheed Adebowale, explained that the way cement is mixed is of great concern.

    He, therefore, called on the public and the SON to assist the association in identifying quacks in the system because they cannot do it alone.

  • Hotel wins two awards

    Fraser Suites Abuja has bagged two International awards in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

    Fraser was awarded the Luxury business hotel award for Nigerian and the Global winner for Luxury business serviced apartments.

    Brandon Lourens Chairman and Chief Executive Officer  said Fraser Suites  received the award in recognition of sustained committment to excellence in hotel business and outstanding achievement in international luxury hospitality industry.

    In a statement by Fraser Suite’sMarketing Communications  Adviser, Haroun Audu, the world luxury hotel awards certified the participation of Fraser Suites in the awards and congratulated it on the achievement.

    Audu said: “ Fraser Suites, Abuja marks Fraser Property Limited’s foray into Africa,which makes Nigeria’s made-to-measure capital, Abuja, the latest addition in the luxury hotel group‘s global collection. Fraser Hotel Abuja was soft-launched on 15th June, 2017 and it is set for a grand commissioning in the first quarter of 2018.

    “Fraser Property Limited is a global hospitality operator, which has grown since its inception in 1998, from an initial 412 residences in Singapore to more than 23,600 keys worldwide.

    “Since its soft opening, the hotel has been making waves, hosting high profile events, corporate clients and personalities.

  • Lagosians ain’t seen nothing yet’

    Lagosians ain’t seen nothing yet’

    Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development Mr. Abiola Anifowoshe, in this interview with MUYIWA LUCAS, says things are getting better with urban planning under him. 

    It’s two years since you became commissioner for the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development. Will you say the masterplan of the state has been fully implemented, especially in  Ikoyi and Lekki-Ajah?

    We have concluded the Masterplan of Lekki, Victoria Island. We have also done that of Lagos West; but we have not done that of Lagos East. We have done Alimosho and Badagry. We have done Mainland; at present we are doing Oshodi. Some will be finished before the end of this year; some will be finished in the first quarter of next year. It remains only that of Kosofe to be implemented. We are working to ensure that we have a comprehensive master plan of all the segments of Lagos to be concluded 2018. By 2019, we will  collate them and have a comprehensive master plan for Lagos  which will last 25 years. If we had that master plan, every inch of land in the state would have been planned.

    There is a lot of coastal development going on. Are you not worried about them considering the processes involved like dredging and sand filling?

    If you are worried about dredging, then there may not be any development, especially in a state like ours. Dredging allows for more depth and allows for an heavy vessels to ply your waters. The entire Netherlands is on water, so if there is proper sandfilling, there won’t be any problem. Lagos is the smallest state in Nigeria in terms of land size and yet is the biggest in terms of population. For this enormous population, we must cater for them.

    So, how does this development fit into the Lagos Masterplan?

    We never had a coastal development that is not recognised by the government. If you look at the master plan of Lagos State, especially the Ikoyi-Victoria Island, all those islands have been identified and incorporated with the Masterplan; we will not just do anything to jeopardise the lives of the citizens of Lagos.

    How are you integrating new town development into the settlements?

    Well existing settlement to start with, it is unfortunate that planning is chasing development; in a civilised society, the reverse is the case. It is supposed to be planning first before development. But be that as it may, there is something we call development guide. Rather than total removal of existing structure with people, before you do a development guide, you factor the existing structure in. First, you need to do development guide for the old town so that you will not ask those people who are in old town to move to the new town because every amenity we have in the new town is also provided for in the old town; so you balance the two together.

    You are tightening the noose on new structures to prevent collapse. What are you doing about old structures?

    If you recall early this year, I did two announcements in national dailies advising property owners to do something about their properties, and that this must be done in laison with the ministry so that the two of us could be on the same page. Some refused to comply, some did. What we did was that we complied their list sent to his excellency Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; we have removed over 100 endangered houses in the state. When we remove a dangerous structure the cost of removal will be borne by the owner and if he fails to pay, the property is forfeited to the government.

    How much has it cost the government to pay compensation to property owners who’s structures gave way for right of ways (RoW)?

    The cost of compensation is ongoing. Whether you have papers or not; whether you have approval or not, you are paid compensation. It is in billions of naira, so far.

    Is there an understanding between the state and Federal Government to refund the expenses incurred on building roads belonging to the Federal Government?

    The one that was done by his predecessors up till now has not been paid. Whatever the governor does is for the citizens because he loves them. This is our state we are developing our state- whether the road belong to the Federal Government or state.

    How realistic is the 28-day approval your ministry claims?

    The most difficult thing in life is change. Our people are used to old ways of doing things. When I said approval in 28 days, I meant it. But that 28 days is excluding submission of documentation. Until you submit your documents and a file is opened for you. with a number allocated, that is when you start counting your 28 days. There is a law here that no file must spend 24 hours on your table. So, the 28 days is real. This is just the beginning as time goes on, it is still going to reduce. What stops you from doing approval in 20 days?

    Is Lagos ready for full vertical development?

    Of course. You see urbanisation,  whether they like it or not, we have to change. Twenty years ago, the population of Lagos State was not as much as this. We are not where we were 20 years ago. At present, we have 23 million people in the state, and every hour 87 people keep coming to Lagos. The reason we are ready for this is that, in the past our master plan lasted 25 years and due for review every three to five years.

    So, what should the citizens expect in the next two years?

    For now, all I want to tell them is that,they ain’t seen nothing yet. All I am only asking for is to keep supporting the government.

    What will you say is the landmark achievement in your tenure, so far?

    Well, I think the e-planning that has been on drawing board for years which we have implemented and has kicked off is a major feat. The master plan of Lagos State was still on the board when we came has also gained steam.

  • Why ‘ghost’ houses exist, by don

    Why ‘ghost’ houses exist, by don

    What are ‘’ghost houses’’? This issue caused a major stir in Abuja during the maiden Nigeria Housing Finance Conference, with the theme: Financing affordable housing: realities, necessities and possibilities.

    The guest speaker, Prof Oyebanji Oyeyinka, started it all when he spoke of what he called ‘’ghost houses’’ in Abuja, Ikoyi and Victoria Island.

    According to him, these are empty houses built with looted funds. He said nobody would build choice properties with his hard earned money and allow them to lie fallow.

    Oyeyinka urged the government to tax “big houses’’ in Abuja, whether occupied or not, as another way of raising money for affordable housing.

    “I call them ghost houses because they are empty; they’re based on awuf economy. If you use your hard earned money to build a house, even if you have to half the rent, you will do it just to pay back your mortgage or loan.

    ‘’But when someone leaves a house of eight-bedroom empty for three to 10 years, then something is wrong.

    “On the one hand, we are in a democratic government, so you can’t just go and seize someone’s house but there are creative ways government can put some sort of levy on these houses.

    ‘’I know some people would not like this but I have to say; in a country where majority of the people don’t have shelter, it’s a problem. In most of the countries, they put some tax and even levy them by space, say per square metre.

    “Of course, government is doing a lot on anti-corruption, but there is something wrong for empty houses to be everywhere in Abuja, Ikoyi, among others,” Oyeyinka said.

    He suggested the use of about 30 per cent of pension fund for affordable housing as done in many countries.

  • ‘Cost a major disparity between high street, mall’

    The disparity between the high street and malls topped discussions at the West Africa Property Investment Summit (WAPI)  in Lagos.

    Participants agreed that the choice of the high street or mall for retailers is determined by cost.

    For long, the debate on high street or retail malls has been a burning issue for retailers as it impacts profitability.

    Retail Portfolio Executive/Head of Property Management, Broll Nigeria, Mr. Gavin Cox, in a paper titled: “High street versus mall,” noted that the retail environment has changed.

    “Starting with two malls that existed in Lagos and Abuja, that covered only 30,000sq metres, there has been an exponential increase in the retail industry. This has resulted in competition between high street and the mall. Retail is once again competing with the high street due to cost. Cost is significant and important. That is why high street challenges the mall,” he noted, adding that the increase in mall square meterage in stands at 1000 percent in the last 12 years.

    Cox noted further that rent service is higher in the malls and that justifies why some retailers don’t want to be in the malls, making indigenous retailers to want to operate from the high street to save cost.

    “The debate on high street and the mall has always been an interesting one and this is a good platform to talk about it where we have experts giving their perspectives on the topic. I believe that the insights given will help stakeholders from all sides get more on the issue,” the CEO Broll Nigeria, Bolaji Edu, added.

  • Group plans ConMin West Africa

    The second international trade fair for construction machinery ConMin West Africa will take place in Abuja mid-next year. This is coming on the heels of the success of ConMin West Africa 2017,

    The German service provider for international exhibitions IMAG, with its Nigerian partner Afrocet Montgomery, is offering companies the opportunity to showcase their products in Nigerian market.

    The trade fair’s inaugural edition last June and the attendant national mining summit were very successful as it attracted over 1,500 visitors and 44 exhibitors from 11 countries. They included industry giants, such as Bosch, Case, Dangote, Elkon and thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions.

    ConMin West Africa will see suppliers, manufacturers and solution providers showcase an array of products from the construction, building materials and mining sectors. The show’s organisers have unveiled a new pavilion for 2018 for sustainability; companies will showcase their products for water treatment plants, pipeline construction as well as waste systems. As last year, the conference will be accompanied by a business forum with technical sessions to which exhibitors will make contributions.

    The summit will once more take place alongside ConMin West Africa. This two-day conference will see experts share their views about the latest development in the sector.

  • Turkish Airlines signs pact for wildlife protection

    Turkish Airlines signs pact for wildlife protection

    Amid the renewed fight to protect wildlife, a European carrier, Turkish Airlines, has expressed its commitment to tackling illegal wildlife trade with its resolve to increase its passengers, customer, client, and staff awareness about the  consequences of illegal wildlife trade.

    To further strengthen the awareness, the Airline says it is developing mechanisms that will enable the transport sector receive timely information about the transport of suspected illegal wildlife and their products, including methods of transportation, key routes, ports and other locations.

    Such information, Turkish Airlines further revealed, will be made available to relevant customs and law enforcement authorities, where permitted by law; just as it plans to support the development of mechanisms by the World Customs Organisation and national customs authorities to aid the detection and prevention of trade in illegal wildlife and their products.

    Turkish Airlines Deputy Chairman and CEO, Mr. Bilal Eki, disclosed this at the signing ceremony of the United for Wildlife Buckingham Palace Declaration (UFW), where parties in attendance pledged zero-tolerance regarding the illegal wildlife trade.

    “With this declaration, we as Turkish Airlines are not only underlining one of the most important environmental issues of our times, that is, trafficking of wildlife, but we are also setting an example of responsibility. Today with this signature we hope that we are contributing to the level of awareness on the issue and smoothing the path for legal enforcement procedures against the traffickers,” he said.

    Eksi noted that governments alone could not curb this phenomenum, and, therefore, called on international organisations, more importantly airlines, who are key players in the international wildlife trade, to play a more important role in preserving the wildlife diversity in global economy.

    Wildlife is a very important component of the ecosystem and it is expedient to stop its illegal trade in order to conserve wildlife for posterity and ecological balance. It is important to note that different species in nature are connected through various food webs, and the disappearance of one species could affect several others down the line. The need for innovative solutions and improved data to facilitate interventions to stop illegal wildlife trade has been noted by the United Nations and USAID-supported Wildlife Crime Tech Challenge. Organisations with the power and influence to effect change should take it upon themselves to champion this intiative helping to secure a safer future for not only the human species but also to wildlife, including plants.

    “The illegal wildlife trade threatens to extinguish many of the world’s most iconic and special creatures, forcing them to the brink of extinction and threatening our global biodiversity. This illegal activity has deeper socio-economic impact, fuelling organised crime, undermining the prosperity of economies and feeding insecurity across the globe,” Eksi said.

    In Nigeria, stakeholders in the environmental protection movements are worried that it is a common sight in the country to see hawkers displaying for sale the remains of various animals killed in the course of hunting. Rural as well as some urban communities in the country have gone as far as legalising the hunting and killing of wildlife to the extent that certain days are set aside every year in various communities for hunting.

  • ‘Building cost control not fully optimised’

    Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) President Mr. Obafemi Onashile has said building cost control has not been fully optimised in the country.

    He therefore wants a reform. Onashile spoke on the sidelines at the Dinner/Awards nite of the Lagos Branch of the NIQS.

    The president said in terms of procurement in the construction industry, a lot more needed be done.

    “We are talking of civil engineering like power construction, power installation, mainly engineering works, we need to do more. Our impact is still not fully felt in these areas,” Onashile said.

    He assured that in the build up to the Procurement Act, awaiting the President Muhammdadu Buhari’s accent, the institute would play a major role leading up to the procurement in the country.

    This, he further explained, would be achieved by rallying round and partnering other professionals in the industry to reform the industry.

    “Our industry is running in adversarial manner and it is not too good for the nation. When all the professions come together, then we can be more effective and function. For now, building cost control is not fully optimised. Quality control is becoming an issue in the country and its beyond just one profession,” Onashile said.

    The NIQS chief said the better cost control in procurement at the Federal Government level is a testimony to the effectiveness of the head of the procurement bureau also a qauntity surveyor.

    Similarly, the Chairman of Lagos chapter of NIQS, Mr. Bamidele Mafimidiwo, told reporters that quantity surveyors were better off with the Procurement Act, arguing that it would ensure probity.

    He said when quantity surveyors are in strategic positions in the construction industry, you not only get value for your work,  you will also be able to save more on your projects as wastage are cut off.

    He is happy that quantity surveyors are taking key roles in the industry and that the country will benefit more.

    The awards, Mafimidiwo said, is a programme that caps the institute’s activities for the year. We have done a lot of programmes this year. This year’s dinner, he explained, is unique because of the award introduced.

    In all, 17 persons, including Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the first female president of NIQS, Mrs. Mercy Iyortyer, several private sector operators, among others, were given awards for their contributions to the industry.

  • Shopping malls: Ogun to revoke unused allocations

    The Ogun State government is set to revoke the shops allocated to some traders in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    This followed the expiration of the six-month moratorium given to allottees of the recently-built government ultra-modern shopping malls and shops.

    The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Facility Management, Mr. Segun Adebayo, issued an ultimatum to erring allottees who  failed to put the facility to use eight months after they got the allocation.

    The 72-hour ultimatum to all allottees to move in or risk revocation expired yesterday.

    A statement signed by the Head of Media in the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ayokunle Ewuoso, said the government could no longer tolerate the lack of commitment by the affected traders. Governor Ibikunle Amosun last March, inaugurated and allocated 1,050 shops and stalls to traders whose shops were destroyed for the construction of roads in Omida, Shapon, Kemta, Itokun and Isele-Igbehin, all in Abeokuta.

    “So, if you are given such opportunity since April and you didn’t utilise it, but only took the allocation and locked up these shops, it means that you are not interested in the shop and allocation,” Adebayo said.

    He said about 40 percent of the  shops had not been occupied, adding that many members of the public have continued to show interest and that the government could not afford to fold it arms and watch it money go down the drain.

    A breakdown of the shops shows that in Omida, 52 shops were allocated while 27 of these remained unused by the allottees; in Imo, six out of 36 allocated are under lock and key.The story is not different in Laderin where only 12 out of the 48 shops has been occupied.

    Kemta-Oloko has just four shops occupied out of the 48 shops allocated. Similarly, in Itoku, of the 130 shops allocated, only 82 have been occupied and opened for business, while Sapon has 45 occupiers out of the 91 allocations with Isele -Igbehin having 37 occupied shops from the 64 already allocated to traders.

  • Lagos advises miners, dredgers on environmental protection

    Lagos advises miners, dredgers on environmental protection

    The Lagos State government has urged sand miners and dredgers to protect the environment of their operation.

    The Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, gave the charge at the World Soil Day held in Ikeja.

    He said in line with the theme of  event, which was “Caring for the planet starts from the ground,”the government decided to raise awareness on the importance of sustaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the challenges in soil management through the seminar.

    He said organisations, communities and individuals should give attention to the problems affecting soils, such as soil contamination, degradation, over mining, oil spills, poor waste disposal, flood and erosion among other activities impacting negatively on soils.

    He stressed that the soil must be protected because it was responsible for our food, shelter and sustenance while the quality of the soil impacts so many other critical elements like water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, plant growth and crop production.

    “The message must be loud and clear; we must do all we can to protect and improve soil and its resources because it is the only home we have,” he said.

    Adejare said the ever-growing population of the state with the attendant increase in demand for shelter and food brought about aggravating pressure on sand mining and dredging on land and water, adding that these activities contribute to the impact of climate change and sea water rise, resulting in heavy erosion of coastal communities and flooding in the state.

    He said it was imperative for the government to engage the stakeholders in regular seminar to address the soil challenges and threats as well as regulations required for the overall achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda 2015-2030.

    “The seminar will review some environmental challenges associated with sand mining and dredging in the state and appraise the prospects of the activities if carried out in sustainable patterns, showing scientific evidence as applicable across the globe,” he asid.

    The Environment commissioner reiterated that ensuring a safe, resilient and sustainable Lagos, through the conservation, protection and restoration of terrestrial and aquatic natural resources for the well being of the citizenry in urban and rural areas of the State remained imperative to the government.

    He advised residents to desist from indiscriminate disposal of spent oil, uncontrolled tree felling and urged tree planting to protect the soil from the ravaging effects of erosion.

    Stressing the government’s commitment to the protection of the soil as a vital resource, Adejare warned those involved in illegal sand mining to desist as such would not be tolerated.

    December 5 has been designated by United Nations as the World Soil Day, following the adoption of the 68th UN General Assembly Resolution in 2013.

    The maiden edition was commemorated by Lagos State last year.