The Nation Newspaper

Category: Property

  • Surveyors urged on ethics, professionalism

    Surveyors urged on ethics, professionalism

    By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

    The National Chairman, Association of Private Practising Surveyor of Nigeria (APPSN), Abayomi Bobadoye, has advised surveyors to avoid non- ethical acts.

    He said it is only ethical practice and discipline that would deliver quality services to their clients, while in return earn them economic benefits.

    Bobadoye spoke at the APPSN Quarterly National Assembly held in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.

    He said: “As co-manager of the Nigerian economy, we should work with  Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON), our regulatory body, Nigeria Institute of Surveys (NIS) the professional body and the office of the Surveyor-General of their various states, especially when the need arises.”

    He reminded his colleagues of their  importance to national development and  urged them to be diligent in their practice.

    According to him, the surveying is desirous of exactitude and it is ubiquitous such that other sectors  rely on the information for development.

    The Ogun State Chairman of the Association, Adewale Oluwafemi, said APPSN was established to take care of the professional practice and welfare of its members, noting that they have been struggling to take control of their profession.

    He said the inadequate number of surveyors led to the training of survey assistants by private survey practitioners in those days, saying that the consequence was what they were dealing with.

    “Sometimes in the past, in many states, steps were taken to introduce the payment of Mandatory Deposit for each job we do. This went a long way into stabilising our negotiating power and consequently our final remuneration.’’

  • NIOB to develop competent builders to check quackery

    NIOB to develop competent builders to check quackery

    By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

    The Nigeria Institute of Building (NIOB) has pledged to develop competent builders in the country.

    Its President, Kunle Awobodu said it would be counterproductive for the growth of the construction industry if competent builders were not trained and engaged.

    He noted a missing link between the number of buildings constructed in Nigeria as against the number of trained builders.

    The NIOB chief, who spoke at his investiture in Abuja, regretted that quacks were occupying the space meant for competent builders, adding that it is only a nation that lacks a veritable building code and effective mechanism for the implementation of building regulations that can entertain such an aberration.

    He observed that the major problem confronting the nations built environment is the non-understanding and appreciation of the importance of appropriate building production management.

    Awobodu noted that any society that allows the construction of its buildings to become an all-comer’s affairs is bound to reap a bountiful project failure in its various manifestations.

    He recalled that during the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) mobilisation against substandard construction, former President Olusegun Obasanjo identified the lack of supervision as a major cause of building collapse.

    Explaining an ideal situation at a building site, Awobodu said a builder should be in charge of  the building production site while the architect and engineers that designed the building at intervals to check that the construction work complies with their respective designs.

    Beyond this, the daily management of the entire construction process with the integration of the resources and technological know- how, including the supervision of the artisans remains the responsibility of the builder, he said.

    According to him, building construction is a delicate work that requires thorough supervision, hence, a client that leaves his or her building project in the hands of artisans without considering the supervision aspect is like shooting himself or herself in the leg.

    He maintained that building construction is a huge investment that artisans should not experiment or fiddle with for selfish reasons.

    for upgrading the skills of the existing and old building artisans.

    He asked for the implementation of Executive Order 5, which aims at improving local content in public procurement with science, engineering and technology components, stating that it would create a path of creativity if strategic mechanism for implementation and sustainability is established.

    According to him buildings are a major barometer of a nation’s physical development and the quality of buildings if not compromised adds to the nation’s investment.

    On how to check substandardisation , he responded that it is for government to ensure that only  licensed  builders would be allowed to manage building production and construction.

    He further suggested that severe punishment should be meted on individual that caused failure of building.

    According to him this will serve as a deterrent to those who perceive building projects as a juicy venture rather than a risky and delicate venture that requires expertise and diligence.

  • Architects score Public Procurement law low

    Architects score Public Procurement law low

    By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

    The Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has picked holes on the 12- year Public Procurement Act, maintaining that it has failed on its mandate and, therefore, should be amended.

    Speaking at a two-day public hearing at the National Assembly seeking to amend the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007, ARCON President, Mr.  Oladipo Ajayi, said their understanding of the bill is to have a speedy administration of procurement and quality administration in the process.

    In a statement, ARCON Registrar Umar Murnai, said the target of his association is to improve the performance of the industry, which is second to agriculture in contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    He noted overwhelming evidence as pointed out by the sponsors of the three bills, that there were evident failures of the ACT, which shows the limitations and constraints that continue to plague the nation in public procurement circles.

    He observed that this has adversely affected the construction industry evidenced in failed contracts, poor contractual performances, escalating corruption and incidence of collapsed buildings arising from loopholes in the ACT, which allow quackery.

    Ajayi said the proposed amendment of the ACT  would offer the  industry an opportunity to contribute to the consolidation of the gains of the exercise, which would result into increase in the GDP, thereby leaving a lasting legacy.

    Itemising the bills, he said the first bill, which is a Bill for an ACT to amend the National Council on Public Procurement and the Bureau of Public Procurement is fundamental to the Act.

    According to him the omission of the seven regulatory professional bodies in the industry as part of the full-time council is critical given that, over 60 per cent of the national budget in the last 20 years has gone into construction-related procurement of goods or services or related expenses.

    He suggested that the bill, among its propositions, should include all seven professional regulatory bodies in the industry to strengthen and sustain the effectiveness of the procurement.

    On the second bill, which is an ACT to amend the provisions of the public procurement ACT,2007, to increase the mobilisation fees paid to contractors and suppliers, and other matters related to it.

    He said: “Fundamental to this bill is the exceptions sort for ecological funds office and payments terms deemed delayed payments from 60 to 180 per cent.

    ‘’It is apt to reiterate the importance of the inclusion of the registered professional in respect of all procurement subject matters in the procurement process of the ecological fund and shall be referred accordingly by the procuring entity.’’

    Moreso, a six-month delay or 180- day in payment is financially injurious to any project, its time lines and ultimately the project outcomes.”

    ‘’Lastly, the last bill for an ACT to amend the public procurement ACT, 2007 to provide for specific time frame for the procurement process/proceedings and for other matters connected therewith.’’

    According to him, fundamental to this proposed bill is the time frame for formalising procurement within 60 days; from initiation to completion of the procurement process.

    He said: “The 60-day window for project planning of the procurement process by the procurement entity depends largely on the technical capacity of the procurement entity to handle the size in terms of number of staff input needs and technical inputs of subject matter of professionals. Where the procurement entity lacks the capacity then, the input of appropriate professional regulatory bodies shall be sought and obtained to facilitate the attainment of the 60 days time frame.”

    To forestall a gap in the initiation to completion of this process, he suggested an inclusion of a precondition evaluation template to be used by all procurement entities to ascertain their professional technical capacity.

    He canvassed a situation where it would be mandatory for procurement entities to refer to the appropriate subject matter to the requisite professional regulatory body.

    According to him, by doing, this it would improve the efficiency of the procurement and ensure credible outcomes within the 60-day time-frame.

    On other observations on the ACT, they canvassed the use of registered professionals for various assignments and certifications within the process, the need to define afresh multiple terminologies used all over the ACT and the new introductions of terminologies in the proposed bills to amend the ACT.

    He frowned at what he called areas of fiat actions, which confer absolute powers on the procurement entities to execute projects with the assumptions that the procurement entities are professionally and technically equipped to procure such services, goods and works during emergencies.

    ‘’It’s our opinion that such gaps negate the spirit of these amendments towards de-escalating corruption,’’ he added.

  • ‘Govt’s intervention in bridging housing deficit critical’

    By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

     

    Financing housing and empowering people to build their homes are two factors that require government intervention.

    Commissioner for Housing,   Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, stated this at a meeting with representatives of development partners in Lagos.

    Akinderu-Fatai pointed out that the housing challenge in Lagos is complex because of the influx of people from all over the country.

    He noted that given the rate at which the population of the state is increasing, there must be proactive measures to ensure that government interventions result in positive impact on the people.

    He reiterated that the government is working hard to map out housing  financing products that are domesticated to solve the peculiar housing challenges of the state.

    He said while global financing models were attractive, they might not address the unusual  problems of the state.

    He pointed out that provision of  mass and social housing is a key agenda of the state government but that the impact could only be felt when there is a structured financing mechanism that is based on predictable population growth.

    Apart from the Rent-to-Own scheme, which gives over 10 years’  repayment, the government is also looking at other  financing options that will help the informal sector, he said.

    “We have to formalise the informal sector so that majority of our people can take advantage of a financing product that supports installmental payments,” he said.

    The commissioner also said more vertical construction of homes would take place by government and private investors to optimise the land space available in the state.

    He said a viable housing development fund would address the financing of the supply and demand angles of housing.

    cpointed out that the commitment of the government is unequivocal and that “Lagos State will continue to work relentlessly until more Lagosians are brought on the home ownership ladder’’.

    Akinderu-Fatai noted that 492 allottees of the Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande Gardens in Alimosho area were given keys to their homes and that the Igbogbo  Housing Scheme in Ikorodu Local Government Area would be ready for 360 homeowners.

    Other schemes in the pipeline in the year, according to Akinderu-Fatai, include Sangotedo Scheme in Eti-Osa Local Government with 774 homes, Odo Onosa/Ayandelu in Epe Local Government Area with 668 homes.

    He said the state government plan to upgrade some slums in the area to liveable cities as part of a global plan to transform the state into a 21st century economy that is distinct and comparable to others in the world.

    “In with our passion for great progress in the sector, funding is needed and assistance from our development partners will be highly appreciated,” he said.

    Earlier, the Project Manager of Arctic Infrastructure, Mr Lookman Oshodi, made a presentation on the proposed Lagos Affordable Housing Development Fund, a financing product, which promises relief to developers and aspiring home owners in the formal and informal sector.

    According to Oshodi, the uniqueness of the financing package is that it is targeted at low income earners. It could also be accessed by construction firms and homeseekers and would be made up of contributions made by government and private sector, he added.

    The fund will also cater to training of artisans and mortgage operators, development of innovative building technology, sustenable housing developments and renewable of slums.

    The suggested funding from government is expected to be sourced from contributions by local governments, subventions, infrastructure development charge, housing fund surcharge and Lagos Pension fund.

    Private sector contributions can be in form of grants and donations from both local and international organisations.

    In disbursing the fund, Oshodi said: “Part of the financing will serve as a Habitat fund, which will be given as loans to those earning between N20000 and N59000 with a repayment plan of 20 years. This will be channelled through micro finance banks with cooperative societies serving as intermediaries.”

     

     

     

  • Group partners Sanwo-Olu’s wife on home rehabilitation

    By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

     

    RenWoman, an initiative of Rendeavour, is partnering the wife of the Lagos State governor, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, to rehabilitate destitute and disadvantaged children in the state.

    RenWoman, a group owned by Rendeavour, Africa’s largest new city builder, has a mission to create an enabling and progressive environment for the advancement of women in the workplace through knowledge sharing.

    Others are networking and leadership development to ensure the personal and professional success of women.
    RenWoman initiatives are carried out by Rendeavour’s team of women professionals in partnership with organisations and individuals committed to gender equality.

    During a meeting with Mrs Sanwo-Olu, Rendeavour’s Legal Counsel for West Africa, Adejoke Odocha, said the group would support her efforts at championing the well-being of children.

    “The First Lady is very passionate about the rights of children and women; and this is something that resonates with our objectives,” said Odocha, adding: “We will work with her to take children off the streets and raise awareness for the rights of children in Lagos.’’

    She added: ‘’RenWoman will work with the Lagos State First Lady to reverse the cycle of poverty, especially among street children and the disadvantaged in the communities around Alaro City and in Lagos State.

    This is something that we are passionate about in all the countries we operate in and we are therefore pleased to find a formidable partner in the First Lady for our plans for Lagos.”

    Responding, Mrs Sanwo-Olu praised the support by RenWoman and reiterated her commitment to partnering organisations like Rendeavour focused on championing the rights of children in the state.

    She called on parents and guardians to ensure that their children are not subjected to slavery, abuse or anything that is detrimental to their growth and development.

  • ‘Real estate practitioners’ listing not negotiable’

    By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

     

    The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Housing, Mrs. Adetoke Benson-Awoyinka, has said  the registration of professional real estate practitioners across the state is non-negotiable, stressing that the registration is in the interest of the practitioners and residents.

    Mrs Benson-Awoyinka stated at  a meeting with real estate  practitioners and officials of some  government agencies in the built sector on improved 21st century processes.

    She said the registration would protect accommodation seekers from falling prey to fraudulent practitioners and increase public confidence in genuine practitioners.

    The Special Adviser declared that it had become illegal to practise real estate without a Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) Licence.

    She emphasised the need to protect to protect lives and property of residents, noting that it is the primary responsibility of government to do so.

    She said these necessitated the  registration of genuine practitioners.

    According to her, “let me emphasize that engaging in real estate transactions without registering with the state government or obtaining necessary approval is a punishable offense under the law”.

    She referred to reports in the media about people who fell victims of fraudulent real estate transactions, stressing that the government could not fold its arms and allow fraudulent practices to thrive.

    She said: “Just recently, a physically challenged couple were duped in Mushin by a real estate agent while they were seeking accommodation. This development, which is becoming a daily occurrence in Lagos property market must be corrected and may not have happened at all if all parties involved are registered with the government.”

    She stated that the forum is a forum of interaction between the government and those in the business of securing accommodation for people to identify how best to grow and sustain the sector.

    “You need to join hands with this administration so that the unregistered practitioners and those with ulterior intentions would be identified and eliminated from the real estate business in Lagos,” Mrs Benson-Awoyinka advised.

    She praised the stakeholders  since the establishment of Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department, which has been upgraded to LASRERA.

    She noted that under the LASRERA law, disgruntled residents have the right to complain to the agency and if it is discovered that their rights have been violated, legal proceedings would be instituted against such practitioners.

    The agency, which was approved by the State Executive Council last November, is mandated to establish offices in all the 57 local government and local council areas across the state.

     

  • Coca-Cola, African Clean-Up Initiative unveil project

    Our Reporter

    Coca-Cola and the African Clean-Up Initiative are partnering to provide relief for parents to offset their wards’school fees in a project called Recycle Pay Project.

    It was unveiled at Isrina Schools in Ajegunle, Lagos.

    Recycles Pay is a project, which made it possible for parents to pay  part of their wards’ fees by trading recyclable waste. This innovative idea led to The Coca-Cola Foundation embracing it as a viable platform to achieve their goals as it concerns the well-being of the environment  leading to a world without waste.

    As the parents flocked in with their recyclable waste, it was clear that this idea was crucial. Not only did they express joy at their financial burdens being relieved,  they were also passionate about proper waste disposal — a behaviour change shaped by the groundwork laid by Recycles Pay.

    The kids were so enthusiastic to receive the Coca-Cola and Recycles Pay teams as they were enlightened on proper waste management and environmental wellness.  Through The Coca-Cola Foundation and the African Clean Up Initiative, the financial limitations of the guardians were eased and now their kids have access to education in an area where accessibility is a challenge.

    The grant  awarded to the African Clean Up Initiative by The Coca-Cola Foundation will increase the capacity of the Recycles Pay project, as many schools will be reached and impacted by the initiative.

     

  • Lagos Govt, estate residents association settle rift

    The Lagos State government and Omole Estate (Phase 11) Residents Association have settled their rift, Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie writes

    AT  last, the Lagos State government and Omole Phase II Residents Association and Community Development Association have agreed to an out-of-court settlement.

    Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai at a meeting with the executives of the association, said the parley was a follow up to an earlier agreement.

    He recalled that the LagosHOMs scheme at Omole comprising five blocks of 60 units of homes of one- bedroom, two-bedroom and three- bedroom flats was sited on some vacant land in the estate.

    He regretted that the vertical construction was disputed by the residents who went to court.

    He observed that later over both parties resolved on an out-of-court settlement with an agreement that the government should provide  more infrastructural facilities for the estate to take care of the requirements of the prospective residents.

    He said: “The government is ready to fulfill its own part of the agreement with the community.

    ‘’Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved more infrastructural facilities for the Omole Estate (Phase II) and work on the projects will commence with immediate effect.

    ‘’As a responsive government, we have made all necessary arrangements to meet up with our own part of the agreement in the interest of all the parties concerned.”

    ‘’We promise to provide more homes for Lagosians and we will do all we can to fulfill that mandate irrespective of the obstacles.’’

    Akinderu-Fatai said the infrastructural package approved for the estate  include the dualisation of Admiral Oduwaye Road, rehabilitation of  Lekan Asoni, Oyebode streets and Durosimi Abogunwa Road, as well as provision of street lights and drainages.

    The facilities, according to the Commissioner, would enhance the  status of the estate as well as improve the quality of the environment home owners in the estate.

    He commended the estate executives for their efforts in maintaining the estate. He said: “The contribution of the association to the development of the estate with their personal resources is highly commendable; I salute this spirit of self help and enjoin other communities to emulate them.”

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    The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Mr. Wasiu Akewusola, appealed to residents to allow the new allotees to take possession of their housing units and also called on the executive members to support the administration by monitoring and protecting government’s projects in the area.

    “Housing projects embarked upon by state government belong to all Lagosians since they are completely funded by tax payers. We should, therefore, go the extra mile in ensuring that they are not vandalised by miscreants.” he said.

    Chairman, Omole Estate (Phase II) Residents Association, Mr. Bamidele Lamisa, thanked the  government for resolving the dispute.

    He however, appealed that efforts should be made to hasten the implementation of the projects, imploring the government to continue to do more for the estate.

  • NLNG gets nod to make Finima Nature Park Ramsar site

    By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

    Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has received a Letter of Nomination from the Federal Ministry of Environment to make Finima Nature Park, a conservation park managed by the company, a Ramsar Site of International Importance.

    The letter was presented to the company by the Minister of State for Environment, Chief Sharon Ikeazor, represented by the Director of Forestry, Mr. Tiamiyu Sikiru, during a visit by the Ministry’s officials to NLNG’s Plant site and Finima Nature Park on Bonny Island to celebrate the World Wetlands Dway.

    The park, managed, on behalf of NLNG, by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), was established in 1999, as part of NLNG’s response to global environmental concerns and the need for a more sustainable environment.

    A Ramsar site is a wetland designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention which is an intergovernmental environmental treaty established by UNESCO in 1971.

    The Letter of Nomination is the company’s last requirement for the attainment of Ramsar Site status, having met the conditions, including being a haven for migratory birds and a Wetland Education Centre.

    On completion of the process, Finima Nature Park will be listed as one of the 2, 300 sites in the world.

    Receiving the Minister at the NLNG Plant, the General Manager for External Relations and Sustainability, Mrs. Eyono Fatayi-Williams, said NLNG is committed to ensuring a sustainable environment that will cater for the younger population as well as those unborn.

    She stated that NLNG understands the importance of wetlands as a means to reducing the carbon footprint of the oil and gas activities in Bonny.

    “The philosophy underpinning the Nature Park, which acts as a carbon sink through the CO2 sequestration abilities of the vegetation, also aligns with our contribution to the reduction of gas flaring in the country through our commercialisation of natural gas which would otherwise have been flared ’’she said.

    Assuring of NLNG’s commitment to protecting the park and boosting activities to encourage eco-tourism which will impact positively on socio-economic life in Bonny, Mrs Fatayi-Williams also said  NLNG places significance on the preservation of plant and animal species in the wetlands of the park.

  • Edo partners LAWMA on waste management

    By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

    The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) would support Edo State to strengthen its waste management system, the Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has it.

    He gave the assurance during a visit by the Edo State Waste Management Board to LAWMA headquarters, Ijora-Olopa.

    Gbadegesin said the deal between LAWMA and her Edo State counterpart would help improve waste management.

    The LAWMA boss noted that effective waste management and sustainable sanitation culture takes time, and that only continuous introduction of innovative ideas, could help tackle the backlogs of refuse.

    Also, the General Manager, Edo State Waste Management Board, Mr. Charles Imariagbe, praised the authority for hosting the team, adding that the visit provided them the opportunity of learning the strategies adopted by LAWMA.

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    LAWMA Chief Operating Officer  Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, said the agency has a private sector participants (PSP) scheme, which includes  billing and waste collection.

    LAWMA’s Assistant Director, Business Development and Strategy, Dr. Essien Nsuabia, who spoke on the various initiatives introduced by the agency, to establish cleaner and livable environment. He pledged the preparedness of the agency to assist Edo in waste management.

    The team also visited Simpson and Oshodi Transfer Loading Stations, and Olusosun dumpsite for assessment.