Category: Property

Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

THE Lagos State Government has assured residents of Agbado Okeodo, Mosan Okunola, Ayobo Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of a qualitative finish as work commences on the Akinola/Aboru drainage channel to curb flooding in the area.

Addressing stakeholders at a meeting at Abule Egba, Lagos, on the project, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, said the floooding had almost become intractable.

He stated that it was the resolve of the Sanwo-Olu Administration to prevent further loss of lives and properties occasioned by flooding that necessitated the award of the contract afresh.

He said the construction of Akinola/Aboru Drainage Channel would contribute to sustainable development and a quality living environment for all, adding that the cooperation of all residents was necessary to see the contract through.

According to him, ‘’without your robust contributions and buy-in, we cannot achieve the desired success, which explains the reasons why your input are being sought as we commence the job’’.

He charged residents to form a committee among themselves to supervise the project and report their complaints to the Ministry in case of discrepancy as regards the project.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Drainage and Water Resources, Joe Igbokwe praised the residents for collaborating with the  government on the construction of the major drainage channel in the axis.

He noted that construction of canals is ongoing in various areas across the  canals for water to flow, stressing that the government would not relent in maintaining flood free and clean environment.

He appealed to residents to take ownership of the project after completion and desist from the arbitrary dumping of refuse into canals in order to continuously sustain a flood-free Lagos.

Also, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Olalekan Shodeinde, described the channel project as an engineering masterpiece, which would run through three local councils. He said the project might come with some pains as building on the setback and alignment might be moved, but it is for good of the majority.

He added that the Akinola bridge that collapsed recently which measured about 20 metres would be reconstructed and expanded so that water would flow freely underneath without damage.

The Director General/Chief Executive, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof Aliyu Jauro, has said producers who do not  safely dispose their  electrical and electronic equipment will be sanctioned.

Jauro, who was addressing a building programme for enforcement officers  and value chain for extender producer responsibility (EPR) in Lagos, said electronics were becoming an increasing challenge for the waste system and that the agency would enforce regulations that will keep them out of landfills.

He said NESREA  was promoting  the reuse and refurbishment of products to reduce the amount of waste produced by electronics.

This is coming against the backdrop of Nigeria having a poor record in recycling e-waste despite being one of its largest producers.

He said the government was tacking 300,000 tonnes of e-waste.

According to him, the realities of climate change was affecting the economy through chemical emissions, adding that recycling e-waste was something local manufacturers must do to contribute to the nation’s sustainable future.

As a pioneer of EPR  in Africa, Jauro said the agency was determined to develop and implement benchmark metrics to measure industry performance and regulatory compliance, electronic producers and manufacturers in meeting their obligations throughout the country.

He stressed that a circular economy was the only way to ensure old resources were fed back into the system and used as raw materials when manufacturing new ones.

To ensure effectiveness of e-waste management efforts and to meet desired targets, he  added that the government would need strong support from stakeholders in the value chain. Jauro said ongoing awareness initiative was to  change consumer mindset to build a more-sustainable ecosystem for collection and management of end of life (EOL) products.

He said the agency held the programme in Lagos since the ports generate the largest quantity of  electronic waste. He said there was the need to enlighten value chain players to adopt measure to manage disposal.

The Standards Organisation Of Nigeria(SON) Consults Director, Dr. Justin  Nickaf, said the organisation was in support of NESREA  in its effort to strengthen EPR, to ensure the take-back of the end-of-life products.  He said there was a need for rules to govern the disposal of used and defunct electronics, which require e-waste to be collected, transported and safely disposed.

According to him, the bulk of e-waste is handled by the informal or unregulated sector.

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

The need to reduce obstacles and other environmental issues in Africa has been advocated by five environmental rights groups.

The groups called on governments to stop the acceptance of fossil fuel projects driven by European countries via their Export Credit Agencies (ECAs).

Speaking from Nigeria, the Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Dr Godwin Uyi Ojo, stated: “In Nigeria’s oil fields, oil spills and gas flaring have resulted in massive environmental degradation and marine resources depletion which local people depend on for livelihoods.

“The locals have continued to blame especially Shell Oil Company, and the Nigerian government for their impoverishment and human rights violations.

“To ensure improved clean energy access, there is the need for a post-petroleum economy devoid of oil and gas and embracing renewable energy sources to reduce carbon footprints and address climate change impact,” Dr. Ojo said.

Others involved in the research are Friends of Earth-Ghana, Abibiman Foundation-Ghana, Environment Governance Institute-Uganda and Friends of Earth-Togo in cooperation with Milieudefensie/Friends of Earth-Netherland and Both ENDS.

The groups analysed the prospects of a Just Energy Transition for Africa. They also analysed the question as to what the best solution is for limiting global warming to 1.50C on the one hand and facilitating universal energy access on the other.

Furthermore, they analysed the question of what role public financial institutions like ECAs could play in terms of promoting a green energy future in Nigeria and other developing countries.

“Export credit agencies provide insurances and guarantees to companies doing business abroad. Despite international climate agreements and national climate ambitions, export credit agencies continue to support fossil energy projects on a large scale,” Niels Hazekamp of Both ENDS said.

Nosa Tokunbor of ERA/FoEN said: “The only way out is the phasing out of finances for fossil fuel while channeling same to support renewable energy projects.”

On her part, Isabelle Geuskens of Milieudefensie/Friends of the Earth Netherlands, said: “In a world that is increasingly switching to renewable energy, the demand for fossil fuel is unsustainable and bound to decrease drastically.”

Their report said: “in spite of the Paris Agreement that seeks to cut back on carbon emissions, the rich countries insured dirty energy projects with a total value of $11 billion through their export credit agencies (ECAs).”

ECAs insured energy projects in Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Uganda with a value of $18 billion between January 2013 and August 2020.

The available data shows that only one per cent of the total support to the energy sector consisted of support for renewable energy, in the form of solar projects. No ECA support for wind projects in the four African countries has been found.

“More than half of this export support is related to fossil fuels. Only one per cent went to sustainable renewable energy,” it added.

For almost a decade, the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has remained a pain to road users and an embarrassment to government. But, last week, fresh hope of completion appeared on the horizon for the almost-moribund project. This is because the road is set to exit the class of projects suffering from lack of funding, reports Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie.

For commuters and other stakeholders in the road transport sector, last week brought some cheery news – an end to their suffering on the acclaimed busiest road in the West Africa- the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Indeed, the reconstruction of the 126.5 kilometre road will cost the Federal Government N311 billion and has had a history of delays as a result of funding gaps. The road awarded to Messrs Julius Berger Nigeria, and Reynolds Construction Limited (RCC) Nigeria Ltd, in 2013, was reviewed in 2018 following increasing infrastructural development on the axis.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, spoke of government’s determination to ensure the delivery of the project as scheduled, by May 2022, despite dwindling financial fortunes of the government, insisting that notwithstanding the revenue shortfall due to drop in oil prices, funding would not stop the completion of expressway.

“Even with zero revenue, the current administration is committed to completing ongoing projects, including the 2nd Niger Bridge at a cost of N414 billion because of their strategic position to the economy of individual businesses and the nation’s economy,” he said.

Fashola, who spoke during an interactive town hall meeting with stakeholders, last week Saturday, at Ogere, Ogun State, hailed the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to finance the project with the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), funded from the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) which ensures that projects have unfettered funding.

He said Section I of the project was the rehabilitation, reconstruction and expansion of Lagos-Ibadan dual carriageway of about 43.6km, commencing from old-toll gate at Oregun/Ikosi-Ketu Lagos and terminating at Shagamu interchange in Ogun State. On Section II, he said “it is about 84 kilometres and starts from Sagamu Interchange to Ibadan,” and is being handled by RCC.

After listening to the submissions of traditional rulers, representatives of the three major tribes, civil society, state government officials, contractors and traffic regulatory agencies, Fashola appealed to tanker drivers and their owners to move their vehicles off the road to enable contractors complete their work on schedule.

“My appeal to owners of articulated vehicles is for you to leave the road immediately. Trucking and trailer operations are private businesses and operators are supposed to provide parking spaces for their fleet.  You must plan your parking space; you cannot run your business at the discomfort of other people. We appeal that you move away immediately because parking on the highway is a violation of Highway Code. Government’s construction of truck parks should be taken as a robust assistance to the business. We also frown at road abuses by truck drivers who pour diesel and petrol on the highway, causing quick road degeneration. We are spending so much to build the roads and they don’t mind using the road as their mechanic workshop. Diesel and fuel are not good for asphalted roads that we are just constructing,” he added.

He further urged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to ensure the enforcement of traffic laws, as pouring of diesel and parking of trucks on completed sections of the road constitute traffic offences.

On the environmental impact of the work to surrounding communities, Fashola urged the contractors to ensure that remediation work was done on burrow pits and old roads damaged during the construction to ensure sustainability.

He also promised that works would soon resume on the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road and Lagos-Otta Road as funds for the projects have been captured in the 2021 budget.

Stressing the strategic importance of the highway, he explained that the highway was for interconnectivity and ease of doing business, hence, the need for stakeholders’ cooperation and sacrifice to ensure speedy completion.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director, Highways Construction and Rehabilitation of the Ministry, Mr. Olufunsho Adebiyi, said the Stakeholders Forum was organised to enable benefitting communities to see themselves as co-owners and to partner the government in achieving the project.

Adebiyi said the initial contract was only for the rehabilitation, reconstruction and expansion of Section l (Lagos to Shagamu interchange) and Section ll (Shagamu Interchange to Ibadan and also the rehabilitation of existing bridges on the road.

He hailed the decision of the President to establish the Presidential infrastructure Development Fund that ensures that projects we have agonised over have unfettered funding

Our Reporter

Adloyalty Business Network has been awarded Africa’s Most Innovative commercial and residential real estate development brand of 2020 at Africa’s real estate innovators award.

The innovative real estate brands Africa Awards 2020 is a celebration of innovation, leadership and the growth of the real estate and property industry in Africa.

The award honors real estate game changers, companies, brands, products, and personalities that have contributed to the development of the sector.

This award was in recognition of Adloyalty Business Network’s outstanding contributions to the development of real estate projects for making homeownership a reality for Nigerians while also empowering youths with gainful employment thereby helping the economic aspirations of its citizenry.

READ ALSO: Govt to sanitise real estate, seeks legislative backing for LASRERA

The first and biggest independent real estate network marketing platform in Nigeria empowers enterprising individuals to earn a fair share of Nigeria’s multi-billion dollar real estate industry.

Adloyalty Business Network is known as a credible real estate brokerage firm with an impeccable track record of prompt delivery of houses and allocation of lands to our numerous investors.

Mr. David Lanre Messan received the award on behalf of CEO Adloyalty Business Network, Dr. Freeman Osonuga.

Messan thanked the award organisers, The Africa Brands Magazine for their recognition of the work and sacrifice Osonuga has invested into the real estate section.

He received the award with utmost gratitude on behalf of the organisation.

The federal, state and local governments have been urged to provide policy and support programmes that would enhance the living standards of scrap and waste workers.

Demanding a comprehensive social protection programme for waste workers, the National Coordinator of the National Union of Scrap and Waste Workers of Nigeria (NUSWON), Mr. Friday Oku, said such programmes would protect its members from negative exposure on the job.

Oku, in a statement, said the lack of protection and poor access to healthcare has aggravated the risk his men face, especially during this COVID-19 period. He, therefore, appealed for personal protection equipment (PPE) for waste pickers who he said are prone to health risks through the collection of medical waste.

“The three tiers of government, NGO and Corporate Bodies should also look into the area of providing spaces e.g. Material Recovery Facility (MRF)  for sorting and storing as well as training and technical support for waste workers.The provision of financial support is also very crucial for survival of scrap and waste workers due to their inability to accumulate capital, expand and improve their activities,” he appealed.

According to him, NUSON, an affiliate of the Federation of Informal Workers’ Organisations of Nigeria (FIWON), is a platform that represents those at the base of the recycling industry whose source of livelihood depends on the collection, sorting and recycling of waste.

“As you may be aware, the scrap and waste workers provide the only form of solid waste collection, providing widespread public benefit and achieving a high recycling rate. Waste pickers collect household and commercial/industrial waste from private bins, dump sites, along streets, waterways and landfills which are used for recycling thereby contributing to the GDP of Nigeria economy,” Oku said.

Despite the enormous contribution of scrap and waste workers, the National Coordinator said they still faced a lot of challenges ranging from social, economic to health. Scrap and waste pickers are often subjected to social stigma, constant harassments and poor living and working conditions.

The pandemic has further exposed these workers to many health risks. Waste pickers are exposed to contaminants and hazardous waste materials, from fecal matter and medical waste to toxic fumes and chemicals, he added.

The Abuja Property Development Company (APDC), an agency of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA),  has unveiled plans to bridge the housing deficit in the nation’s capital. The firm is promoting an initiative under a planned “rent-to-own” scheme, aimed at empowering low-income earners to access affordable housing.

APDC’s Managing Director, Lawal Aliyu Magaji, said the firm was looking at the railway corridors in Abuja, to build affordable houses in such areas as it will also make other category of low-income earners live where they can access their work stations easily.

Blaming the rising cost of houses in Abuja on building materials as well as challenges posed by the unfavourable exchange rate regime, Magaji explained that “we are trying to come up with a rent-to-own scheme. Instead of paying rent to a landlord, how about paying for you to own the house ultimately? We are going to work on that. But it is going to be a tripartite thing between the off-taker, his organisation and then the APDC as the developer, because we need to have that agreement so that when people are exiting the service, we will be notified that he is leaving and then his entitlement will have to be kept until he liquidated or we take out the cost of the building. We have the intention of doing social housing and that has to be done with the FCT Administration to see that the cost of those houses is brought down. We also want to build houses for low-income earners. If you are a big man and you stay in Maitama or Asokoro and your driver or cook stays in Keffi or Suleja, of course, you cannot function well. We are looking at the railway corridors. The light rail as you know has started test running. We intend to have affordable houses around the corridors. That would allow the people to hop into the trains and go to work in any part of the city.”

Magaji said the agency was partnering some groups on affordable housing.

He said: “One of the challenges we have is the rising cost of building materials and when land is allocated, it comes with a lot of encumbrances which have to be factored into the cost of houses. If you are given a land that has infrastructure and it does not come with any encumbrances in terms of payment of compensation, of course the prices of the house will come down. The finishing materials of some of the houses have to be imported and foreign exchange is scarce.

“However, we are working with groups who are trying to proffer some other solutions, providing locally made building materials that we can use here or getting some of these companies to come and establish their plants here and produce these materials locally. This will go a long way, with the support of the government, to bring down the cost of the houses.”