The Nation Newspaper

Category: Building & Properties

  • Fed Govt to avoid housing mistakes, to award contract for 69 roads

    The Federal Government has said it is working hard to avoid mistakes committed in previous housing initiatives, just as it has concluded plans to award contract for reconstruction and rehabilitation of 69 highways nationwide.

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola disclosed this at an interactive session with members of 21 Civil Society Organisations and the media in Lagos.

    Fashola explained that government was working on avoiding mistakes of previous housing projects that saw the houses abandoned. He explained that some houses constructed by some past administrations were not occupied because they did not take into cognisance the issues of culture of the people, climate and location of projects.

    “All across the country you will see houses but they are not occupied,” he said.

    He said that in 2016, the government took time to sample opinions of Nigerians across the country on what type of houses they wanted and how much they could pay, while state governors were approached for land at suitable locations to make the houses attractive for intending house owners.

    “At this moment we are constructing in 33 states, when we finish then we would subject that design to affordability test. When we find its works then we will subject it to acceptability test,” he said.

    “This is the first time that Nigeria is undertaking a national housing scheme after Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s housing scheme.

    “There has been other interventions, previous governments have been building houses but a national housing scheme, this is the second time. Shagari’s was the first.”

    In a  similar vein, he disclosed that 25 roads would receive attention soon as bid processes to deliver the Sukuk bond were almost completed.

    “Each zone of the country is getting N16.67 billion and they are going to those major arterial roads that take us from the ports to the Sahel. Since the Sukuk was agreed we had to follow due diligence,” he said.

    He said that with the dry season ahead, a lot of construction would be witnessed nationwide, adding that the 44 other roads captured during a nationwide tour of roads were also under procurement process.

    “If we complete the procurement we would award the contract to cover six zones of the country,” he said.

    The minster expressed hope that all the 69 roads to receive attention would become motorable within a short time.

    Fashola sought public support in the fight against illegal mining of sand on road edges and other forms of road abuses.

    He expressed worry over activities of illegal sand miners who dig up road verges (edges) to cause rapid road degeneration and collapse of federal highways.

    He said that it was unfortunate that some people took pleasure in “destroying our common assets” and appealed to members of the public to join in the surveillance.

    He said gadgets like cell phones could be used to get evidence of such acts to ensure perpetrators were brought to book, adding that there was a law against road abuses that needed enforcement.

    “We have set up a Right of Way (RoW) Recovery Committee and I know that it has started working.

    “We are trying to recover all the RoW that used to belong to the Federal Government across the country breaking them into zones.

    “It is a lot of work, but  there was no budget for it, so, all of the costs are being compiled and then we are hopeful that in 2018 we would be able to do something if we get the project approved.

    The minister explained that vegetation control was also ongoing as part of its RoW recovery plan.

    He added that the government was ready to hand over more roads to states governments who were willing to take them over.

    Speaking on the Ota-Abeokuta Road, he said that the project was going to be redefined because the road was not initially in the 2018 budget and the contractors made some additional claims.

    He said that the road would be stabilised before the end of the year.

    Some of the civil society groups include Centre for Democracy and Social Economic Rights, Alliance for Good Governance, Grassroot Democratic Initiative and Centre for Social Economic and Human Rights.

  • LASPARK, Reliance Gardens partner on tree planting

    Determined to ensure a safer environment, especially in the wake of climate change, all estates being developed in Lagos State will now have to have green area, especially with trees planted.

    This was the submission of the General Manager of the Lagos State Parks and Gardens (LASPARK), Mrs. Bilikiss Abiola. She spoke at the tree planting ceremony of a housing developer, Reliance Gardens, in Ajah, last week.

    According to the LASPARK boss, the agency will henceforth monitor all estates being developed in the state to ensure there is proper “green cover.” This, she further said, is now a huge aspect of housing.

    “We will be monitoring all estates in the state to ensure we have green cover. It is a huge aspect of housing. You don’t just put a building, you must ensure its greenery. Our ideal is to promote good living through greenery and we are determined to ensure a greener and healthier state with private sector organisation,” Abiola said.

    While praising the Reliance Gardens management for its efforts in greening of the state, Abiola revealed that the firm had earlier partnered with her agency to plant 700 coconut trees along the Lekki-Ajah expressway.

    She, therefore, urged other estate developers to ensure that they have green locations within their estate, because it has now become a very important component of any estate that is being developed to have a green area that is set aside for a park and garden for people living within that area to enjoy.

    Laspark, she further said, is committed to greening Lagos because “that is the only way we can secure the future of our children. If we don’t have greenery, a healthy and thriving ecosystem, it will directly affect our health and future of our children.”

    In a similar vein, the Head of Tree planting, Laspark, Mrs. Funke Dawodu, disclosed that the firm has always been a worthy partner of the agency. For instance, Dawodu revealed that Reliance Gardens collaborated with LASPARK on the school advocacy programme for the tree planting day celebration by branding school pupils for that day.

    She regrets that the several trees that have been felled in the past without replacing them is a key factor that has led to climate change. “Tree felling is a major reason for climate change. The importance of trees are numerous. Without trees we cannot survive. Trees supply us with oxygen,” Dawodu said.

    She also praised the firm for deeming it fit to approach LASPARK before commencing work on the construction of their estate especially knowing that some trees will be felled in the process of development.

    “They gave us a pledge that they would replace tress felled with multiples and today they are fulfilling their pledge. Please plant trees to commemorate events as it is a show of commitment to greenery, “ she admonished the audience.

    The Group Chief executive officer of Reliance Gardens, Mr. Kishin Wadhwani, said his firm is committed to ensuring that the environment remain habitable for mankind. Besides, he explained that as a responsible corporate citizen, laws of the state must be adhered to; hence, the reason for the partnership with the agency.

  • Turkey, South Africa, Nigeria others partner on home decor exhibition

    The Republic of Turkey has said it is happy to participate in the maiden edition of the International Home Décor and Giftware exhibition holding in Nigeria.

    Deniz Eralp, the International Sales and Marketing Manager for Turkey stated  at the opening of the exhibition at the Landmark exhibition centre in Lagos.

    “The ties between Turkey and Nigeria trace back in history and have always maintained good relationships. Both are members of an organisation of Islamic Co-operation and the Developing Eight nations and further maintain close co-operation  economically,” said Eralp.

    The president of the Retail Council of Nigeria (RCN), Ashiwaju Onafowokan, who was represented by the secretary of the organisation, Alhaji Kunle Hamzat, said the retail industry is fast growing and expected to be the biggest employer of labour and the major contributor to the country’s GDP.

    “2017 is no doubt going to be a great opportunity for our members to network with other international participants with a view to establishing business relationship which will eventually grow their business and I turn, the Nigerian Economy,” he said through written speech.

    Further in his submission, Hamzat pointed out that the event would create opportunities for the retail industry as well as create job opportunities for the youths.

    “What you see here today is the meeting of local and international minds. We have foreign investors coming to show interest in Nigeria and we have local buyers who want to tap from the investment to make Nigeria greater.”

    He said the event taking place at this time when the economy is not buoyant means ‘’we are not just limiting ourselves but are thinking outside the box to make things happen. When there is such collaboration, kind of synergised efforts then you see that the economy will bounce back’’.

    The three days’ event is organised by Clarion Events West Africa in partnership with the RCN, Defining the Nigerian Interior or Design Market (DENIM),  Transwalk Interiors,  others.

    Commercial Director Clarion Events West Africa Russell Hughes, in his opening remarks, said the event aims to open up channels of trade between Nigerian retail buyers and the interior designers with local and international suppliers and manufactures.

    “Featured in the exhibition is a vast array of made in Nigeria items as well as as some of the most sought after and newly discovered international brands,”said Hughes.

    President of DENIM, Binta Suleiman said home décor and giftware Nigeria creates  opportunity for dialogue and exchange of opinion and ideas in addition to increased knowledge and demonstration of company presence to the industry. He also stated that it will create an avenue to showcase what the Nigerian interior design market has to offer to the rest of the world.

    “To me, what is more exciting is the business opportunities because it provides us clients with higher poaching power as well as exchange in services, the opportunities are vast. This also gives me hope to see all this amazing brands giants.

    “Nigeria presents a wealth of business opportunities for South African companies. We have over 19 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs that are into  Home Décor and Giftware. These companies offer a wide variety of products in this sector and are already exporting to Europe and the USA,” said Annalize Van Zyl, for the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) South Africa.

    The CEO Adam and Eve, Mrs Modupe Ogunleesein, in her keynote address entitled: Nigeria’s Retail Businesses, Removing the Barriers, said people are afraid to spend money on home décor which is one of the challenges facing the sector. Adding that multiple taxation by government agencies is crippling the sector and urged government to make access to funding which would go a long way in boosting the sector.

  • Lagos begins dualisation of Irede road; assures Oyingbo, Apapa residents

    Lagos begins dualisation of Irede road; assures Oyingbo, Apapa residents

    The Lagos State Government has begun  the reconstruction and dualisation of Irede Road in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of the state.

    Addressing residents at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Victory Christian Church, Irede Road,  Abule- Oshun, last week, the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Abiola Anifowoshe, said the Irede Road dualisation and reconstruction project, being handled by  Fountain Construction Company (FCC), when completed would provide a “veritable and sustainable parallel route” to Lagos -Badagry Expressway and also serve as a link to Amuwo-Odofin and Oriade Local Council Development Area through old Ojo Road as well as Ojo Local Government Area through Dangote /Dansa/Tedi/Muwo and its environs.

    He also noted that the road, on completion, will improve road connectivity and standard of living in the area, as well as accommodating the expected increase in traffic volume, while eliminating traffic gridlocks, thereby reducing travel time. He noted that projects of this magnitude also impact positively on property value along its corridor.

    Anifowoshe told the gathering  that they had nothing to worry about over the project, especially as it concerns properties that may have to give way for the development. According to him, the state government under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, would not demolish any property without engaging the stakeholders to get their consent and hear them out.

    “This is the reason why we are here today to assure you that the Lagos State Government would compensate all affected property owners. My appeal to you all is that all affected stakeholders should cooperate with the state government for the growth and development of this area. We brought planning to your door step and we are here to discuss with you and appeal to you. By God’s grace, I will be here at the commissiing of this project,” he said.

    The representative of the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Shomide Lateef, explained that the road, on completion, would span 2.20km, while the Right of Way is 26.2meter. He revealed that the project which was awarded on February 2, 2017 would be delivered in February next year. A representative of the project contractor, FCC,  Mr. Adeola Agboola, solicited the support of the community to ensure that the project is completed without any hitch.

    The Oba-Elect of Irede, Oba Sheriff Bello, thanked Ambode and his team for deeming it fit to bring development to their door step especially in Irede Road, which according to him had been in dilapidated state for decades. He assured the contractors of full cooperation from his community and appealed for speedy completion of the road.

    In a related development, Anifowoshe, in another meeting with residents and stakeholders of Oyingbo and Apapa Road, assured them of adequate compensation on the proposed demolition of their structures so as to give way to the Bus Terminus construction at Oyingbo. The commissioner, at a meeting with stakeholders from the affected area in his office on Tuesday, explained that “for a modern city to come up, there is need to change the face of the state,  hence the plan of the state government is to allow some structures give way to allow the modern terminus as being proposed by the Ambode-led administration to take shape.”

    He was emphatic that the state government would compensate all affected as long as there are evidences and proof that the identified structures belong to the person laying such claims. He consequently admonished all affected property owners to bring any proof of ownership to his office. However, those without such evidence, Anifowoshe said, should take  photographs of their property and bring it to his office for verification.

    He added that affected property owners with building permit, survey plan, land conveyance or receipt collected from the family that sold the property would be adequately compensated.  “As long as you have the photograph of your structure and it is proven to be yours, government would compensate you,” he assured.

    The Project Manager, Mr. Femi Fayombo, enumerated the scope of the project to include a rail and  bus terminus at Oyingbo interchange point,  whereby a passenger can decide to take BRT bus to the terminal and join a train from the same point to Alagbado or Agege as the case may be.

    One of the stakeholders, Mrs Alaba Ogunlaja, made a passionate appeal that in as much as they are ready to cooperate with government on their planned upgrade and development, they should ensure adequate compensation is given to the stakeholders without unnecessary delay or outright failure, adding that government should ensure adequate monitoring of the marked buildings so that all unscrupulous people would not take the advantage of demolishing people’s properties.

  • Engineers urged to join politics

    Members of the Nigerian Society of Nigeria (NSE) have been advised to join  politics to provide direction in leadership, revolutionalise the nation’s infrastructure and ensure rapid economic growth.

    Flour Mills Plc Human Resources Director,  Wale Adeniran, made the call while speaking as a guest speaker at the 8th memorial lecture of the late Dr Ralph Alabi, the first  Ikeja branch chairman of the society. The lecture was organised by the Ikeja branch of the NSE. He spoke on the topic: “Political and Human Re-Engineering: An exemplary passion of an Icon for his nation.”

    Adeniran said political leadership should be accessible and affordable to engineers in order to make the desired impact needed in the nation’s economy.

    The guest speaker said engineers were trained to provide solutions and manage human resources, and as such, would do better in political leadership.

    He said engineers provided leadership in most developed countries, noting that China revolutionalised its infrastructure and economy because it had engineers in politics.

    Adeniran explained that some countries like Indonesia with history of military rule developed rapidly because their engineers were given opportunity in governance.

    “The NSE must take it as a challenge to mentor engineers to provide leadership. In the case of China, they have engineer politicians. Where are our own engineer politicians?,” he asked.

    The NSE Ikeja branch chairman, Mr Akin Akintola, said the branch was ready to lead the campaign to mentor engineers into politics.

    “I am a politician myself and will encourage and give my members optimum support to go into politics for the overall good of Nigeria,” he said.

    Akintola said the legacies of the first chairman, the late Dr Ralph Alabi, being celebrated, was worthy of emulations.

    An elder and past chairman of NSE Lagos Chapter, Mr Tunde Zedomi, also stressed the need to take the campaign for participation of engineers in politics serious.

  • Lafarge Africa Plc partners Canaancity on safety

    A building solutions provider, Lafarge Africa Plc, has partnered an association of indigenous and foreign companies, Canaancity Consortium, on a safety awareness programme training for 200 employees of the consortium.

    The partnership is aimed at improving the safety standards and practices at Canaancity sites, which is building over 700 housing units in the first phase of estates it is developing. More estates are still being planned. Directors and heads of projects of the consortium attended a one-day health and safety training at the Covenant University Guest House, Otta, Ogun State, last week.

    Speaking on the training initiative, Director for Health and Safety at Lafarge Africa Plc, Graeme Bride, said: “We are always pleased to share our experience on safety in the Nigerian construction industry. Our aspiration to do business with zero harm is not limited to our factories and employees. We are also particular about safety on the sites of clients and contractors.”

    Canaancity Consortium Chief Executive O fficer (CEO) Pastor Tokunbo  Olofin said: “We are happy to partner Lafarge on this initiative. It will improve our project site safety standards and reduce lost time incidents. We see this engagement as an avenue to build a stronger relationship with Lafarge.”

    During the training programme, engineers, technicians and other operational employees were trained on the risks related to their construction work while health workers were trained on how to prepare for and respond to emergencies. There were also sessions on the best onsite safety practices such as deployment of safety signages as well as procedures for reporting and responding to incidents.

  • Investors raise N1b for Banana Island project

    An indigenous construction firm, Sujimoto Construction, has raised over N1billion from local investors for its ongoing project on Banana Island, Lagos.

    Banana Island has been adjudged as one of the most expensive  abode for the rich. It boasts of the wealthiest Nigerians as residents with  most of the structures  on the Island selling between N250million and N500 million for a terrace house. The Nation learnt that the firm is yet to fix prices for the terraces, but from the design,  sophistication and quality of work, observers said it may inch towards the  going price or lesser.

    According to experts, subscribers are banking on the profile of the company to pay before actual delivery as  a result of their consistency. Little wonder they have raised the huge amount to the extent that the project has been oversubscribed.

    The firm, Sujimoto Construction, has lent credibility and confidence to the Nigerian Real Estate Industry. Sources said the  project, which has been kept a secret by Sujimoto boss,  Mr. Sijibomi Ogundele, is a development of extremely luxurious terrace houses in the heart of Africa’s most expensive neighbourhood.

    However, a reliable source revealed that it will be an iconic project that surpasses the extravagant cliché of homes in Banana Island.  On the features of the houses, Ogundele said it  is a home  with two massive master bedrooms, two luxury and contemporary kitchens , two standard maid’s rooms and a private elevator in each unit.

    He confirmed that it is first of its kind in the country.  He said: “We have a standard and panache in delivering on our projects. What we are delivering is a home that encompasses a  unique and groundbreaking standards. Innovative feats, sophisticated homes and extravagance splendor is our motto.”

  • ‘Pension fund key for infrastructure financing’

    The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has called for meaningful private capital fund to implement plans that will kick-start rapid infrastructure development in the country.

    The cocmmission’s Acting Director-General,  Chidi Izuwah, who made the call at the 2017 Institute of Directors (IoD) Fellows Investiture ceremony, said piecemeal funding of projects would not yield the desired infrastructure transformation for the country.

    Speaking on the theme: “Infrastructure for National Development and Economic Prosperity”, Izuwah said provision of adequate infrastructure such as power, roads, trains, hospitals, schools and others need meaningful investment, which can only be brought about with meaningful private capital fund.

    Izuwah mentioned some of the successful Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects in the country to include the concession of the Nigerian Ports, Murtala Mohammed Airport and Garki Hospital, Abuja.

    “Nigeria’s huge infrastructure deficit is an opportunity to partner on a win-win basis with the private sector in virtually all economic and social infrastructure space,” he added.

    According to Izuwah new regulatory framework is now in place to foster seamless private involvement, security of investment, affordability, public interest and investors’ protection under the Federal Government’ Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme.

    He hinted that the commission was looking at improvement on infrastructure financing through funds, which according to him, is a good private capital fund that should be invested in infrastructure for better turn over.

    He explained: “First, it is important that we need to put forward bankable projects because the private sector is interested in bankable projects. Bankability requires that if the private sector invests, there must be returns on investment. We are looking for the right mechanisms for these projects, and provide the right frame work that can attract investors.”

  • African countries not dependent on donor support for climate adaptation-study

    African countries not dependent on donor support for climate adaptation-study

    About 20 per cent of African countries’ total needs are being spent on climate adaptation, which is more than their fair share without any support from the international community. A new study by the United Nations (UN) has revealed.

    Early findings from the study, jointly commissioned by the UNDP Regional Office for Africa, and the African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) to review African commitment to adaptation, have, therefore, dismissed the insinuation that African countries are not investing in their climate adaptation responses and are instead waiting on the international community as recipients of support.

    “African countries are already spending between 2 to 9 per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on adaptation, thus reducing the potential impact of climate change by more than 20 per cent,” Dr Johnson Nkem, a Senior Climate Adaptation expert at the ACPC told PAMACC News at the ongoing climate negotiations in Bonn, Germany.

    The UN study is being implemented by two United Kingdom (UK) centres – Climate Scrutiny and Mokoro – to provide estimates of Africa’s public expenditure on adaptation as a proportion of the total cost for adaptation.

    Although the level of investment as a proportion of the GDP expenditure varies among countries, it ranges between 2 and 9 per cent of GDP; and represents more than other forms of expenditure in public services such as healthcare and education.

    “This contribution is significantly higher than the adaptation resource flow from international sources,” Nkem said.

    The study, therefore, recommends that the disproportionate share of investment in adaptation as opposed to its smallest share of contribution to the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, needs to be fully recognised and boosted under global financing mechanism for climate response, especially under the implementation of the nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

    Some of the study’s key findings are that, African countries are already making a major contribution to adaptation that constitutes; that for Africa as a whole, the estimated adaptation gap is about 80 per cent; and that the adaptation gap is greater than 90 per cent in nine countries. Most of these countries face major exposure and sensitivity to climate change risks as well as fiscal challenges.

    Countries that have reduced the potential impact of climate change by more than 20 per cent, include those with low climate change risks like Liberia, Namibia and Zimbabwe; high expenditure, for example Ethiopia, Gambia, Zambia and lower risk and good expenditure countries like Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda.

    The objectives of the Review of African Commitment to Adaptation was to provide some initial estimates of the current spending on adaptation by African governments, and to  assess the extent to which the funding meets the scale of the adaptation challenge as determined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other assessments.

    According to Nkem, there is a growing political will and socio-economic motivation in addressing climate change in Africa’s development agenda as demonstrated by the level of public expenditure on adaptation to climate change in the continent.

    He pointed out that most adaptation expenditure in Africa is primarily linked to development expenditure, which provides good benefits with current climate conditions.

    Estimates of the adaptation expenditure were provided by classifying the most recent public finance data, preferably actual expenditure data, rather than budget data, if it is available.

    Actual data for 10 countries, and data obtained from the internet for additional 24 countries were used for the analyses in this study. The entire analyses in the study do not include expenditure by development partners that are outside the budget.

    The study noted that despite its miniscule share of responsibility for the causes of climate change, Africa has always been labelled as a tenuous recipient of development assistance, with unending expectations of support in addressing climate impacts on its development.

    While this stigma is baseless, it remains to be fully disbarred, using empirical studies demonstrating regional investments for climate adaptation by the countries.

     

    • Courtesy: PAMACC News Agency

     

  • Experts canvass investment in infrastructure

    Equipment manufacturers and experts in the built environment have called for massive government investment in infrastructural development, saying it is the only way the nation can develop economically.

    They spoke on the sideline at an international construction and building exhibition, organised by ELAN, which was held in Lagos. The exhibition, which is believed will open up investment opportunities as well as other value chain in the built industry, had  several exhibitors from over 17  countries such as Turkey, Italy, Ukraine, India, Egypt, China and the United Arab Emirate (UAE), among others.

    ELAN EXPO Project Coordinator, Mr. Jude Chime, explained that the event brought together building professionals in the country, including international manufacturers and service providers in the sector. He said the EXPO has attracted billions of dollars into the Nigerian economy and will grow the sector.

    Chime said the EXPO brought to the fore the rapid growth in the last 20 years in the building and infrastructure construction, adding that the expo was considered in order to meet the growing demands in the sector. He said the large Nigerian market attracted a lot of investors, who want to be part of the lucrative infrastructure market.

    “On his part, General Manager, ElanExpo International Trade Fairs, Mr. Nihat Suer, explained that this year’s expo was hinged on stronger international partnership with delegations from Egypt, Turkey, Poland, India, Italy, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and China, among others.

    He said the fair brought together important professionals around the world and offered opportunities to network with foreign investors and explore other areas of investments apart from oil. “Sharing knowledge is the key for development and the need for adaptive technology cannot be over emphasised,”he said.

    Sharing her experience on the ongoing infrastructure reconstruction work in Maiduguri and the need to embrace competitive infrastructure upgrade, an engineer with the Bornu State Ministry of Works & Transport, Mrs Kori Shettima, gave a detailed and graphic information on the post war reconstruction of the war torn Northeast state of Maiduguri.

    She said her ministry had the mandate to repair the war damaged infrastructure in order to reactivate the local economy. Drawing example from Kosovo, a breakaway Republic from Yugoslavia, she pointed out that it has remained a good example for the government of her state where mixed research approach was used with quantitative and qualitative data collection to explore planning and implementation of post conflict reconstruction of infrastructure projects.

    On the challenges encountered in post conflict reconstruction, Shetima listed some of them as endemic corruption, lack of communication, lack of transparency in decision making, donor conditionality, lack of resources and poor procurement process.

    The incoming President of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Mrs Felicia Agubata and the vice-chairman, Nigerian Institute of Mechanical Engineers, Lagos Chapter, Mrs Funmi Akingbagbohun, assured that stakeholders will continue to explore solutions to infrastructural gaps in the country.