The Nation Newspaper

Category: Building & Properties

  • Group to partner govts on housing

    The Society of Real Estate Developers of Nigeria (SOREDON) is ready to partner the federal and state governments to address the 17 million housing deficit in the country.

    According to its Chairman, Mr. Michael Adedeji, to solve the problem, experts and financial competence, the forte of SOREDON, because of its ability to raise offshore funding to tackle housing deficit, are needed.

    “We can’t just blame the governments for the housing deficit in Nigeria because there are people who should tackle this challenge. If we are providing one million housing every year, maybe it should have been addressed all these years. Together with our foreign partners, we have earmarked $5million for take-off.  We are capable of providing 500, 000 housing units annually and we also guarantee high quality houses,” Adedeji said.

  • NIOB seeks regulatory agencies unification

    NIOB seeks regulatory agencies unification

    • 2017 AGM/conference begins today

    The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Lagos State Chapter, has reiterated the need to unify regulatory agencies in the built environment to enhance better co-ordination among various government agencies.

    The regulators include the Lagos State Land Bureau; Lagos State Survey General Office, the state’s Ministry for Physical Planning and Urban Development, the Building Control Agency, the Physical Planning Permit Authority and the state’s Safety Commission.

    This position of the NIOB, among others, will form the fulcrum of the institute’s 2017 annual general meeting (AGM)/Conference which begins today place at the Academy Inn and Multi-Purpose Hall, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Lagos, with the theme: Regulatory Authorities: Panacea for Building ProjecAt Delivery in Lagos State.The Conference, which ends tomorrow, will address issues pertaining to problems encountered by the developers, investors and other stakeholders in the state.

    According to the Conference Committee Chairman, Mr. Adelaja Adekanbi, the NIOB, Lagos Chapter, deemed it necessary to bring together the end users and government officials saddled with the responsibility of regulating the various activities in the built environment to educate, fine tune and discuss best mode of their operations.

    He further explained that the designated agencies are not giving adequate information on their mode of operations, thus, the cause for many abberations encountered by the major players in the industry.

    “Their performances in their respective capacities tend to not only be contradictory, but filled with duplicity and in some cases, causing confusion by which developers, investors and private project owners become wary of their activities,” Adekanmbi said.

    In similar vein, the NIOB Chairman for the state, Mrs. Adenike said while regretting that the incidences of building collapse in the metropolis have become not only an embarrassment to government, but also to the professionals in the sector, observed that the regulatory agencies most times cause conflict, deliberately or otherwise, which needs to be addressed; hence, the convergence of all relevant stakeholders in the industry at the conference.

    For the Honourary Secretary of the NIOB Lagos chapter, Mr. Alani Adegoke, some of the laws put in place by the authority appear to be contradictory, a situation that has been a source of concern to the investors. This, he said, is why it is necessary to ensure that these agencies come open to clarify their roles and functions in clear terms so that the public would know every requirement, stage by stage, in the processing of their building documents.

  • ‘Lagos govt is committed to affordable housing delivery’

    ‘Lagos govt is committed to affordable housing delivery’

    The Lagos State government has concluded plans to deliver 20,000 housing units in the next three years. This is aside the 4,355 housing units that have been commissioned across the three senatorial districts in the state. This, according to the government, will reduce the housing deficit gap and improve Lagosians‘ access of to affordable housing.

    This was the submission of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode last week at the celebration of the World Habitat Day in Lagos. The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Idiat Adebule, said the effort was connected to the overall objective of making the state liveable, especially its urban renewal and slum upgrading/regeneration.

    According to the Ambode, this year’s celebration, themed: “Housing Policies: Affordable Homes,” is an integral part of the “Lagos @ 50” celebration to showcase the administration’s achievements in regeneration and urbanisation of the state.

    He further stressed that with this year’s theme, the United Nations (UN) was calling the attention of governments around the world to the need to make housing within the reach of the common man.

    “Shelter is one of the basic needs of man. The challenge before us is to explore innovative ways by which this can be achieved through public private part Wcontent in the construction of houses, ensure efficiency in land utilisation, as well as develop a financing system that is convenient, reasonable and economical,” the governor noted.

    He said his administration’s position on affordable housing has been demonstrated through the Rent-to-Own scheme and Rental Housing Initiative, which are specifically designed with the low income and middle income earners in mind. Under both schemes, Ambode said, apart from reducing the initial deposit requirement from 30 per cent to five per cent, a larger proportion of 80 per cent of the total stock of housing units under this programme is dedicated to the Rent–to-Own scheme, which is targeted at the low income group.

    He listed some of the projects the state is implementing under this include the redevelopment of Adeniji Adele Phase I-V, comprising 720 housing unit, into a residential mixed use development of 2, 500 – 3, 500 housing units and the redevelopment of Isale Gangan Phase I leading to the construction of 11–floor structure, which comprised 48 serviced luxury apartments. The second phase of this project, planned to be a 13-floor structure, is under construction.

    “As we strive to provide the enabling environment for investment in the housing sector, we are open to new ideas, new technology and new methods, the private sector remains our key partner in ensuring the delivery of decent, functional and affordable housing in the quantity that will match the increasing demand across the state,” Ambode remarked.

    Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Anifowoshe Abiola, said making housing available and within the reach of the common man is one of the most critical issues in the socio-economic well-being of the people. This, he explained, is the reason the ministry is ready to partner more than ever before, with all stakeholders in the built environment in order to realise and bridge the gap of the housing stock deficit.

    The guest speaker at the event, Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey, maintained that the citizens have a responsibility of paying their taxes to make the implementation housing policies and actualising same to happen. He advised that people should have a clear cut idea of what they intend to use a house for before embarking on its ownership because owning a house is not necessarily a must.

    “The reality is that majority of people cannot afford a home by themselves, hence, the reason for informal houses,” Arthur-Worrey said, while urging government to intervene in the unhealthy relationship between landlords and tenants, especially as it concerns incessant increase in rent.

    Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal, argued that to make houses affordable, there is a need to scale up the income of the citizens. He also advised the Federal Government to reduce interest rate on mortgage so that transaction cost will be reduced and that more people can come into the mortgage net.

    In a similar vein, the UN Habitat programme manager in Nigeria, Kabir Yari, commended the state for consistently hosting the World Habitat Day and for being the only state in the country to be doing so.

    He said affordable housing is a challenge that has made a lot of Africans live in slums, including about 60 per cent of the population living in informal settlements without water. He disclosed that this year’s Habitat Day is used by the UN to reflect on the state of towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter.

    “Housing policies: Affordable homes, promotes one of UN-Habitat’s focal areas such as inclusive housing and social services. A safe and healthy living environment for all. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) number 11 target is that by 2030, everybody should live in safe and affordable houses; I have no doubt that Lagos State will continue to do the right thing,” Yari submitted.

  • Engineers to sensitise on safety, prevent disasters

    Engineers to sensitise on safety, prevent disasters

    The Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (NISE) has embarked on efforts aimed at preventing disasters and improving safety awareness on fire, flooding and building collapse.

    According to its Chairman, Abiodun Oyedepo, the move became necessary after safety concerns were raised in several quarters on fire, flooding and building collapse.

    As part of NISE’s efforts towards sensitising the public on preventive measures, Oyedepo said NISE leadership had been paying visiting various organisations and agencies, such as Chevron, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) (Retail), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Minister of Labour and Productivity, among others.

    At the places visited, Oyedepo said their responses were warm, with people expressing appreciation that Nigerian engineers had risen from their slumber.

    To this end, the NISE has slated its first conference, with the theme: “Assuring public safety in Nigeria: The roles of engineers”.

    The conference will hold from  November 7 to 10, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

    “We are building a foundation for others to build on and are setting up chapters in more states of the federation, with the first one recently being inaugurated in Awka, Anambra State,” Oyedepo said.

    The Chairman of the NISE Conference Planning Committee, Seun Faluyi, said institution would work with regulatory agencies on capacity development programmes to address building collapse. He lamented that regulatory bodies were not sufficiently staffed.

    “Engineers know what to do if you want to prevent flooding even where there is plenty of rainfall. Where you design buildings and factor in safety during the construction, collapses can be prevented,” Faluyi said, adding that the assurance of safety is higher when qualified engineers are actively involved.

    The Conference Planning Committee Secretary, Kayode Fowode, said the NISE was sensitising the public on the need for housing construction supervisors in every state to take proper measures during construction to prevent building collapse. He said there would also be training courses for registered builders to identify problems during construction and address them promptly.

    A member of the committee, Oluwafemi Ogunseitan, asserted that for the entire value chain, from design to construction on site, NISE would support other regulatory bodies, adding that it would ensure robust safety checks through capacity building and necessary standards. He said the institution was not formed to compete with other safety bodies and agencies but to collaborate with all, to improve safety, as an engineering body.

    The NISE, a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), was inaugurated in January, last year. NISE is made up of engineers who are registered with the NSE and active in safety practice. Membership of NISE is open to engineers; persons involved in safety jobs are also welcome as associate members.

  • GPP summit targets finance partners for infrastructure devt

    GPP summit targets finance partners for infrastructure devt

    The value of Nigeria’s infrastructure stock (road, rail, power, airports, water, telecoms and seaports) is only 35 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP). This is a far cry from some of the emerging market countries’ average of 70 percent. To attain a considerable increase in this area, it is estimated that the country needs to invest $3 trillion in infrastructure over 30 years.

    However, experts agreed that the government was not in a position to singularly make this a reality, except it sourced for private financing.

    “It is, therefore, critical that Nigeria leverages private financing opportunities for infrastructure development from global institutional investors through Public Private Partnerships (PPP),” said Managing Director/Chief Executive of Global Property Partners (GPP), Mr. Emmanuel Odemayowa.

    Odemayowa said GPP, a consortium of firms with diverse interests in real estate and infrastructure development, would organise a summit on infrastructure development in Lagos on October 26.

    Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, will be the special guest of honour. “This year’s summit is to create a platform for the engagement of global institutional investors for infrastructure development. The summit aims to raise Partners to Finance the National Economic Recovery Goals with regards to Infrastructure Development,” he explained.

    The summit, with the theme: “Infrastructural development as catalyst for economic growth”,  will focus on creating avenues to generate sustainable income and wealth through global partnerships, innovation and sound investments. Among the issues to be discussed are investment opportunities in Africa and beyond; mobilising institutional investments for infrastructural development and current government policies and regulations on public-private partnerships. There will also be networking opportunities with distinguished business executives and corporate leaders in the national and global infrastructure finance sector at the Summit.

    The summit will attract key players in infrastructure finance and development, both locally and internationally, including Dr. Zhao Changhui of China EximBank; Mr. David Smith of the British African Business Alliance and the Minister of State for Power, Works & Housing, Mustapha Baba Shehuri.

    Also billed to speak at the summit are Mr. Bismarck Rewane of Financial Derivatives Company; Dr. Joseph Nnanna, Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Ms. Yewande Sadiku, Director-General of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission; Arc. Gbenga Onabanjo, Chairman of GPP and Olabintan Famutimi, President of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, among others.

  • FHA, firm to develop FESTAC Phase II

    The New FESTAC Property Development Company Limited (NFPDCL), in conjunction with the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Southwest Zone, have partnered to develop the FASTAC Phase 2 Project in FESTAC Town, Lagos.

    The firm’s Executive Vice Chairman, Sir Isaac Chuks, said the FESTAC Phase 2 project has a land mass of 1,126 hectares, which was part of the 2, 040 hectares of  the entire land of FESTAC Town.

    He explained that the project, on completion, will be home to about 350,000 people, a feat he said would be a fantastic help to Lagos in view of the housing deficit gap in the state.

    “The city will be unique because of its proximity to the rail projects from Badagry, there will also be a road linking it from Ikeja airport, a kindergarten and secondary schools will be established, including a proposed university, which will afford children to start and complete their educational career within the city.  In the area of security, everywhere will be censored with cameras and independent power supply. There are also partners that have indicated their interest to establish a world class shopping mall and a world class hospital in the new city,” he explained.

    While assuring that the firm has done all the necessary groundwork to kickstart the project, including taking care of the issue of the land grabbers (Omo onile), Chuks revealed that the major off-takers are groups coming from South Africa, Egypt, United Kingdom and China, among other countries. These foreign investors, he explained, will buy and develop the land, just as a German and Swiss firms have also indicated interest in building Disney Island, on more than 40 hectares of land space within the city.

    The company secretary, Ajumogobia & Okeke, a firm of legal practitioners, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, described the project as “a mixed development,” in a new city concept, which he said is comparable to EKO Atlantic City in Victoria Island axis of Lagos.

    Ajumogobia, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, said the timing for the project was very perfect because of the new Badagry Express Way being built, which he said would open up the area.

    The marketing consultant to the project, and founding partner/consultant, M.I. Okoro and Associates, an Estate management firm, Mr. Meckson Okoro, said: “The only way we can engage the Artisans is when the government encourages massive investment in housing development, because housing development ensures that all kind of skill and unskilled labours are fully engaged. He expressed optimism that by the time the project is completed, it has have a good return on investment.”

    The president of BETONIQ JV Nigeria Ltd, one of the companies providing the technical support for the project, Air vice Marshal (retrd) Monday Morgan, is of the opinion that it is a good one because it will reduce the number of housing deficit in the country and  be a way of making their own contribution to the development of Nigeria.

    He said any technology that is used to give houses to Nigerians, but which does not attract employment for the youth, is problematic. This, he said, is a reason to support project as it will also ensure the menace of youth unemployment in the country is tackled given the number of youths it will employ. Morgan explained that the firm’s German partners in Germany will support the project by injecting 80 percent of required funding.

    BETONIQ JV Nigeria Ltd Chief Technical Officer, Mr. Teun van Sambeek, said his company was bringing to Africa for the first time, a technology used in Asia, Russia and Thailand. Still, he said the company will be providing materials for the building and infrastructure.

  • Brianfield redefines relaxation space

    Brianfield redefines relaxation space

    Special occasions, such as weddings, are usually held with much funfair. This is why couples to be take extra time in planning for their special day.  It was, therefore, not surprising when Adeola Ogunlere, an intending bride, combed the nooks and crannies of Lagos to find a befitting venue for her wedding. For her, distance was nothing compared to the ambience a good venue would offer her on her memorable day.

    After much searching, Ogunlere  discovered a venue on Igando-LASU Road, Lagos. She had no difficulty convincing herself and her groom-to-be that the Brainfield Event Centre, was a perfect choice. This, she said, was both in terms of facilities at the venue and her budget.

    “I am a woman with a large network of friends, so you can expect a huge turnout at my wedding. Apart from massive space at this venue, the features are also very attractive to make my ceremony very successful,” she explained.

    Ogunlere may not be wrong. A look around the event centre was quite revealing.  The Brainfield Event Centre, built in 2010, is a facility that has redefined standards in the event centre market, considering its offerings.

    For instance, its multipurpose hall, depending on the occasion and arrangement, can sit 1,000 people in conference setting, and 500 sitting in banquet position. With a platform for the sitting of  dignitaries, the well- ventilated hall is fitted with 10 units of industrial air conditioner, with good illumination. Depending on the taste and choice of an intending client, the hall can be decorated to suit taste and pocket. Apart from electricity supply from the national grid, power is guaranteed by two generators of 150 KVA and 60KVA capacities.

    The Barinfield Event Centre also caters for children’s needs while their parents are having a swell time inside the hall. Its outdoor garden, equipped with toys, keeps the kids busy all day. While the children play there, guards and supervisors keep an eye on them, thereby eliminating parents’ worry over their ward’s safety.

    Inside the centre is an exquisite bar and a relaxation corner. The corner is carved into small units where people desirous of privacy can sit and holdtalks. It is fitted with four units of air conditioner, exclusive leather settees and four large screen LED television sets. It is not an uncommon sight to see people in the environ and guests thronging the games room for as ludo, ayo, scrabble, chess and snooker, among others.

    Indeed, several youths in the Igando-LASU axis love the centre. This is because of its fully-equipped gym, with two instructors and trainers, to guide patrons seeking fitness. Two swimming pools close to the gym make it possible to continue exercising without breaking.

    A regular face in the gym, Mr. Tunde Owodunni, said the gym was comparable to any in the world. To him, the gym has eliminated the pains of residents  travelling several kilometres in search of a standard gym.

    A common denominator among centres such as this is parking space. But for this venue, it is not a worry.  According to a representative of GabbyCarl Investment Limited, the agency handling the centre, with parking space for over 100 cars, the road is left free of any disturbance to traffic, even during peak periods. Security is guaranteed as the premises is covered by a CCTV surveillance, and personnel patrol. Besides, it is sandwiched between the Igando and Idimu police stations.

    Brainfield Centre about 20 minutes drive from the Lagos airport, is up for sale. It is valued at N280 million.

  • Lakowe Lakes ups the ante in real estate development

    A firm, Mixta Africa, a subsidiary of ARM Limited, has upped the ante in real estate development with its 308-hectare Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate in Lagos.

    The estate, a gated community with an 18-hole golf course, guest cottages, corporate lodges, spa facilities, hotel and a clubhouse, offers a distinctive lifestyle in a serene and luxurious environment. The development, its promoters claimed, is unmatched by any in West Africa.

    According to the firm’s Head, Business Development, Sales and marketing, Mr. Korede Lawrence-Salu, the estate is divided into three communities – the Village, which is the luxury residential community within the estate. This consists of 18 residential homes, offering two distinct styles and specially designed to cater for a select few.

    He explained that each of the homes has amenities adaptable to residents’ requirements, with wide doorways, ramp access, handrails, lighting and security features. Home owners will also enjoy the exclusive use of a dedicated gym, mini-club house, swimming pool, landscaped gardens, bike rails, and walkways.

    “No future expansion is planned within the Village beyond these 18 unique homes,” Lawrence-Salu explained.

    The “Enclave”, which is the second community in the estate, is a premium residential community featuring a range of houses that are themed around some of the spectacular and renowned natural landforms in the country. The Enclave comprises 206 homes, delivered with roads, water, and sewage treatment plants. This section, according to the Marketing Manager, provides a unique Lakowe Lakes experience.

    “Here, residential units are offered in a range of styles to meet the diverse requirements of homeowners, including palatial retreats for executives, cozy homes for couples, corporate clients, and larger units for families,” he said.

    The third section is serviced residential plots that are delivered with facilities. In this section, intending clients are offered 10 house designs to choose from and they will be completed by only approved contractors by the firm. This, Lawrence-Salu said, is to ensure that standards are not compromised while the designs are also not altered.

    Mixta Africa Hospitality and Retail Managing Director, Mrs. Sade Hughes, said the estate was set up with as a corporate lodge facility, as well as a nature-inspired spa resort that promotes wellness, relaxation and recreation.

    Hughes said this was why it offers a perfect setting for corporate bodies looking for residential conference and retreat venues; leisure groups looking for weekend or holiday getaways; spa and wellness enthusiasts looking for one of a kind upscale experience or social parties and other celebratory events requiring a unique destination venue.

    The 18-hole championship golf course, she noted, takes advantage of the coastal forest with fairways surrounded by natural ecosystem. The golf course became functional in 2011 and had set new standards for golf courses in West Africa.

    Other golfing benefits include a gold academy, pro-shop, a 9-hole par-3 course, driving range, short game practice facility as well as a clubhouse, offering an extensive array of food and beverage to golfers and guests.

    “Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate continues to offer the promise of an unrivalled lifestyle of luxurious living and security. The estate has proven itself to be more than just a place for living and playing golf; it coexists with nature; it is a place for those, who know how to define their personality,” she submitted.

  • Luxury Villas to host FREIA

    Irrespective of the recent recession, the domestic property market has continued to attract investment opportunities. Stakeholders in the property sector at several times have attested to this, explaining that the real estate market has become a point of convergence for players from different sectors. The effect of this, experts say, is the steadily increasing investment in real  estate, a development that is opening up more opportunities and benefits to different markets.

    To further enhance this rising fusion of different market operators in the sector, Luxury Villas Group is set to launch ‘Fusion of Real Estate, Interior Design and Art (FREIA)’, an event that aims at bringing together stakeholders in these three industries to showcase, network and explore opportunities for business synergy.

    According to its organisers, the exhibition will highlight the underlying relationship between the industries and provide a platform for future partnerships. FREIA is scheduled to take place on December 8, 2017 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island Lagos.

    Operating since 2004 and evolving with new subsidiaries that are breaking boundaries in the luxury real estate sector, LVG has over the years, gained awards and recognition for their outstanding work within the shores of Nigeria and beyond. In 2017, the brand bagged two international awards; the Business Initiative Directions Quality Summit Award in New York and Best Real Estate Agency in Nigeria at the Africa Property Awards in Dubai, which focused on pacesetters in Real Estate in emerging economies and beyond.

    According to LVG’s CEO, Mr. Tommy J.Z Odama:“The only way to succeed is to love what you do, and we love what we do. We are thrilled to have won such prestigious awards and are determined to keep making giant strides to raise the bar for Real Estate services in Nigeria and beyond.”

  • Post recession: ‘Fund repatriation injurious to economy’

    Post recession: ‘Fund repatriation injurious to economy’

    Fund repatriation by  foreign construction firms has been identified as a major disincentive to the economy. If the trend is unchecked, the economy will continue to suffer, even in post-recession.

    This was the submission of practitioners and experts at the annual lecture of the Property and Environment Writers Association of Nigeria (PEWAN), at the LCCI Conference Centre, Alausa, Lagos.

    Speaking on the theme: “Economic recovery: The role of  construction sector in post-recession Nigeria,” Chairman on the occasion Dr. Meckson Okoro lamented that foreign firms, usually the beneficiaries of most contracts awarded in the country, repatriated the funds, including profit, to their countries.

    Okoro said this was injurious to the economy.

    President, Building Collapse Prevention Guide (BCPG) and First Vice President, Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Mr. Kunle Awobodu, listed the government’s lack of commitment as a factor militating against the growth of the industry in Nigeria. This, he explained, is caused by the government’s continued patronage of, and support for, foreign firms over indigenous ones. He said it was a disservice to the economy.

    Construction, Awobodu noted, is a determinant of development, warning that if the government’s policies were not tilted to favour construction, the nation might slip back into recession.“Many nation’s development is tied to the construction sector; this sector is the determinant of development in any nation. Government should take investments into construction industry serious, recession can re-occur due to our human errors,” he said, adding that the sector may not record significant growth until the citizens and government learn to use of local construction operators, fearing that recession might return if we failed to do the right things.

    The  Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) President, Mr. Otis Anyaeji, who was represented by the Ikeja Branch Chairman of the society, Mr. Akintayo Akintola, also regretted that most projects had become ‘processes’ because of lack of adherence to completion dates. He said conditions for award of contracts were usually and deliberately made difficult to eliminate local engineers, thereby making nonsense of the Local Content Law.

    In his submission, President, Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Mrs. Mercy Iyorta, represented by the Executive Secretary, Mr. Jide Oke, said the political class’ attitude and other challenges faced by the country were responsible for the recession.

    Oke noted that the infrastructure deficit was huge, adding that the private sector must drive the sector to speed up development.

    Construction is very important, it is the barometer to measure the growth of any nation,” he said.

    Okoro, who commended PEWAN for setting the agenda on issues of economic growth and development, tasked the Federal Government to show more commitment to the sector. He, however, expressed disappointment at the absence of the guest speaker, Minister of Power, Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the event, .

    “I think it’s not good enough that the invited guest speaker, in the person of Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, nor the host, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode were neither here, nor represented, knowing full well that the organisers of this event are the message carrier of their activities. Considering Fashola’s portfolio as housing minister, and this being a housing event, he should have at least sent a representative if he cannot be here.I think it’s quite unfair that they were not part of this event,” he lamented.

    In his goodwill address, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, expressed optimism that the country would get it right as long as the citizens joined hands with the government in its policies.

    Ooni, who was represented by- Oba Adebanjo Adedinni, the Asoya of Isoya, Ile Ife, and Oba Adetokunbo Awosunle, the Elejesi of Ife Kingdom, assured the organisers of the Ooni’s commitment to the construction industry, especially infrastructure provision and housing delivery.

    “I’m happy with what PEWAN is doing. Without you, the Property and Environment Writers, most of the success we recorded in the sector would have been possible; I thank you. Your continued advocacy on industry matters,” the Imperial Majesty said.

    Other dignitaries at the event were representatives of professional bodies such as the Nigerian Institute of Architects, the NSE, NIQS, the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), BCPG, Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), among others.

    Students from the Technical College, Agindingbi were also in attendance.