Situated along the airport road in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Gosa Market for years now has remain one of the most popular markets in the nation’s capital.
Gosa Market comes alive every Friday with people come all over Abuja including neighbouring towns to buy and sell.
According to investigations and patronage, commodities of all kinds are cheaper.
It was like a joke when traders at Gosa Market learnt that some developers are laying claim to the land occupying the market.
Gbagyi women in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the auspices of Gbagyi Women Association (GWA) have taking it up and staged a peaceful protest against move by an estate developer to take over the market space, calling on the FCT Minister, Mallam Mohammed Bello to intervene and rescue the traders from been evacuated from the market.
The traders who said that their lives are been threatened by developer’s moves, stated that the market has been the source of survival for the indigent people in the FCT and if allowed to be taken away lives may br lost.
Mrs. Ladi Danladi, President of the Gbagyi women association, who led the protest said that they are appealing to the FCT Minister to protect them, so that this market will not be taken away from them.
“This government of President Muhammad Buhari is a government that came to fight for the poor and we believe that this government will fight for us. We are here because we do not want the developer Alhaji Umaru Usman to take our market.
“Because this market is meant for the poor people in Abuja, as this is the only place we can afford. If you go to Garki or Wuse market, you cannot find our type there, because we cannot pay their exhobitant shop rents which ranges from N500,000 to N1,000,000.
“However, in this market a trader can comfortably do business with N2,000 and take care of his or her family. So, we do not want this market to be taken away from us, because this is our source of survival,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of GG-DIN, Comrade Jethro Iliya, Special Adviser on Media to the President of GG-DIN, who who was amongst the protesting women said that the case is a very critical one, in the sense that the market has been in existence for ages, and the interest of an individual cannot override the interest of the public.
“This is a market for the general public and one man cannot just come and chase thousands of traders away simply because he has money and wants to develop the place for his personal interest. This is a market that feeds not just residents of the FCT, but also people from the neigbouring states.
“This market serves as a meeting point between those from the town and in the villages. Those in the villages who go to farm bring their produces to the marker and those who need them at cheaper rate come here and patronise them.
“In the struggle to ensure that this market is retained, we had a meeting with the former Minister of the FCT, Sen. Bala Mohammed and he told us that as long as the original inhabitants are here, and they are not been resettled compensated, this market will stay.
“That whoever comes here that he has been alloted this plot, should come back to the FCTA for reallocation of another plot of land, other he should wait for the original inhabitants to be resettled and compensated. So, we expect that this Minister should assist us by following the same line as his predecessor, because we beleive in his government,” he said.
Tag: Developer
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Gbagyi women move against developer
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Developer reaffirms commitment to WTC Abuja
In spite of the prevailing economic downturn in the country and the currency depreciation, real estate enthusiasts are optimistic that the Phase One of the World Trade Centre project, Abuja will be delivered this year as projected by the developers.
The Group Managing Director of Churchgate Group, Mr. Vinay Mahtani, at a meeting with estate valuers and agents in Abuja, said customer interest in the project has been overwhelming. He restated his firm’s commitment to delivering the Phase One of the project this year.
Mahtani said there has been a growing demand for quality real estate — residential and commercial.
“Many people share our dream of building world-class projects in Nigeria; and Nigerians, both at home and in the Diaspora, have shown their confidence in us through investments made already,”he said.
At the meeting, an estate surveyor, Mr. Olusola Akinsola, who spoke on behalf of other estate surveyors and valuers, expressed satisfaction at the level of work on the Phase One. He xexplained that the effect of completing the WTC Abuja would be good for the real estate sector and the country’s economy at large. According to him, “housing is no more about shelter – it’s about employment, economic inclusiveness and multiplier effect on the local economy.” He opined that the WTC Abuja, being the first of its kind in West Africa, will bring all of these to the Nigerian economy.
Construction of the WTC Abuja Phase One is now at the final stage. The project consists a residential tower that will offer luxury apartments with modern amenities and an AAA commercial tower that will accommodate businesses of all sizes. The buildings, at 24-storeys each, are set to define Abuja’s skyline: the commercial tower is the tallest office building in the nation’s capital, while the residential tower is the tallest residential building in Nigeria.
On the potential of the WTC Abuja when completed, Assistant General Manager, Corporate Communication, Churchgate Group, Mr. Femi Awopetu said the WTC Abuja would be an economy driver in itself, bringing together corporations and individuals, and providing a platform on which they can conduct business.
Awopetu added that the project will also impact the economy and improve welfare of lives. “We have already created employment for thousands of people during the construction of Phase One and this will continue throughout subsequent phases of the project,” he said.
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Developer reaffirms commitment to WTC Abuja
In spite of the prevailing economic downturn in the country and the currency depreciation, real estate enthusiasts are optimistic that the Phase One of the World Trade Centre project, Abuja will be delivered this year as projected by the developers.
The Group Managing Director of Churchgate Group, Mr. Vinay Mahtani, at a meeting with estate valuers and agents in Abuja, said customer interest in the project has been overwhelming. He restated his firm’s commitment to delivering the Phase One of the project this year.
Mahtani said there has been a growing demand for quality real estate — residential and commercial.
“Many people share our dream of building world-class projects in Nigeria; and Nigerians, both at home and in the Diaspora, have shown their confidence in us through investments made already,”he said.
At the meeting, an estate surveyor, Mr. Olusola Akinsola, who spoke on behalf of other estate surveyors and valuers, expressed satisfaction at the level of work on the Phase One. He xexplained that the effect of completing the WTC Abuja would be good for the real estate sector and the country’s economy at large. According to him, “housing is no more about shelter – it’s about employment, economic inclusiveness and multiplier effect on the local economy.” He opined that the WTC Abuja, being the first of its kind in West Africa, will bring all of these to the Nigerian economy.
Construction of the WTC Abuja Phase One is now at the final stage. The project consists a residential tower that will offer luxury apartments with modern amenities and an AAA commercial tower that will accommodate businesses of all sizes. The buildings, at 24-storeys each, are set to define Abuja’s skyline: the commercial tower is the tallest office building in the nation’s capital, while the residential tower is the tallest residential building in Nigeria.
On the potential of the WTC Abuja when completed, Assistant General Manager, Corporate Communication, Churchgate Group, Mr. Femi Awopetu said the WTC Abuja would be an economy driver in itself, bringing together corporations and individuals, and providing a platform on which they can conduct business.
Awopetu added that the project will also impact the economy and improve welfare of lives. “We have already created employment for thousands of people during the construction of Phase One and this will continue throughout subsequent phases of the project,” he said.
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Landlords, developer trade words over demolition of houses
Some landlords in Ilamoshe Estate in Ejigbo, Lagos, have accused a developer of illegally demolishing their houses.
The developer is allegedly relying on a court judgment to carry out the demolition, but the landlords are claiming their buildings do not fall within the area covered by the verdict.
The landlords, Idowu Malomo, Adewale Adenuga, Mrs Funmi Sanni, Andrew Itimi, Captain Joseph Awodeha, Raymond Uzor and Hammed Ishola Makanju said their houses were not part of the land covered by the judgement.
In a petition to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Inspector-General of Police and Lagos State Chief Judge, their lawyer, Mr Gbenga Ojo accused the developer of vandalising his clients’ houses in a bid to “forcibly eject them”.
The January 22 petition reads: “We are writing because as the governor of Lagos State, you are the Chief Security Officer of the state and we have absolute confidence that you will protect the lives and property of our clients from land grabbers/ajagungbales using authority of the police and the judiciary to perpetrate acts of violence, brigandage and gangsterism without any regard for the rule of law.
“The landlords have been in peaceful and undisturbed possession of their property for between 15 and 25 years.”
The petitioners alleged that their buildings were destroyed despite not being under the judgment relied upon by the developer.
They said: “Some group of people led by Alhaji Hakeem Osuolale, first pasted public notice on the front doors of our clients’ properties to warn them about series of court judgments granted in favour of Abiodun Omodele Ojo and Mrs Jokotade Bakare. “Our clients met him and informed him that their various parcel of land are outside the land covered by the judgment but he refused to listen.
“Unfortunately, what followed was unbelievable and unimaginable. He brought some policemen and over 500 hoodlums to pull down part of the buildings and fences of our clients in broad daylight. After all these, apparently fearing loss of lives, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), requested all the parties to go to the office of the Surveyor-General of Lagos State to determine the extent of boundary covered by the judgment and this was done.”
They said they were still being harassed despite the Surveyor-General’s report that their houses were not captured under the judgment.
“This”, they said, “is an act of impunity, which we know and believe that your government, which is a government of change will not tolerate from anybody or authority in the state. We, therefore, appeal to you as a matter of urgency to protect our clients, members of their families and their properties from these vandals threatening the peace and security of the state. The report of the Surveyor-General clearly showed that the various parcels of land that belong to our clients are not within the land covered by the judgment.”
Contacted, Osuolale advised the landlords to go to court if they are dissatisfied with the judgment.
“If they (landlords) have any issue with the judgment they should approach the court instead of making their case on the pages of newspaper,” he said.
Speaking with The Nation, Ojo said there were two orders restraining Osuolale and others from trespassing on his clients’ properties.
He said: “On February 23, Justice L. A. F. Oluyemi of Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja gave an interim order restraining them and the police from going to our clients’ land while Justice Ganiyu Safari, also of Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja on Wednesday February 24 equally granted an order restraining the developer from going to our clients’ landed property.”
In a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting, the Joint Ilamoshe Community Development Association, to which the landlords belong, said: “The meeting observed that the said judgment did not affect all the land in Ilamoshe, by virtue of the areas verged red in the judgment-creditor’s survey plan. Such areas not included in the said judgment include all the areas in the streets not mentioned at all in the judgment which do not fall within the area verged red in the judgment-creditor’s survey plan No: LA/1425/001/2011 dated 22nd August, 2011. It also includes streets not mentioned at all in the said judgement, which includes, but not limited to the following: Alimi Bada Street; Omoyele Street; Olokobi Lane; Adeyemi Odumade Street; Hammed Makanjuola Avenue; Peace Estate comprising of Labake Adepoju Street; Dim Alor Street; Alhaji Ademola Saka Street and Alhaji Wasiu Sholola Streets.
“It is only the Deputy Sheriff of the High Court of Lagos State that has the right to levy execution of judgment of the said court in company of police officers. Unfortunately, the judgment-creditor has resorted to self-help in the execution of the said judgment.”
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How ‘developer’ duped us, by home seekers
Angry protesters stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday, condemning the activities of a self-styled developer, who allegedly duped them of millions of naira. They said the ‘developer’ duped them under the pretext of renting apartments and shops to them.
They carried placards with inscriptions like: We are homeless, we need your help; We need our money; Fake landlord, developer, he must pay our money; He must pay our money; Save our souls, among others.
Their spokesman, Pastor Godwin Madu said the ‘developer’, who collected between N120,000 and N900,000 from them for mini flats, two bedroom flats, three bedroom flats and shops in Agbotikuyo, Agege Total, Iju and Fagba.
The ‘developer’, he claimed, collected money from as many as five to 10 people for the same apartment.
“Even when he agrees to refund money to some people he allegedly rented same apartments to, he issued them fake cheques”, Madu said.
He said the police were able to arrest the ‘developer’ at Iyana-Ipaja last Tuesday.
The suspect is being held at Area ‘G’ in Ogba, but the protesters are accusing the police of not handling the case well.
“We want the House to help us compel the suspect to refund our money. The police are not doing anything about it, we went to human rights groups and we were advised to take the matter to the government,” the protesters said.
Addressing the protesters on behalf of Speaker Mudasiru Obasa, Segun Olulade, a lawmaker, promised that the House would investigate the matter.
He praised the protesters for their decorum.
“I thank you for believing in your House. We will treat your petition and act on it as soon as we resume,” he said.
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Developer plans N3.8b Green Estate for Calabar
Efforts to reduce the housing deficit in the country has received a boost as an indigenous firm, Turn – Over Plus Limited, has concluded plans to intervene. The firm, with its Green City Estate, Calabar, project, hopes to change the landscape of housing.
The Green City Estate is located in Ikot Offfiong, Ambia, said to be the most serene part of Calabar metropolitan city, with a clean, beautiful, well developed infrastructure, hospitable and good safety and security facility.
The Green City Estate which will be fully flagged off in August, currently houses a number of two to three bedroom apartments spread over three bays, just as duplexes are also been developed.
Apart from the planned modification of the existing structures to meet the green city codes, the management of the city plans to develop additional 140 future homes within the next 12 months.
According to the Acting Managing Director of the firm, Dr. Adedayo Felix, the project is conceived out of determination and strong planning, and is set out to offer residents huge avenue of cozy, luxurious and healthy living. He further stated that a stay in the city will guarantee total rejuvenation and access to neighbourhood centres.
The estate will boast of clean environment, clean energy, sound infrastructure, green areas, neighbourhood parks and guests’ houses for visitors. It will also be all encompassing as it will also be a host to event centres, educational institutions for residents’ children, auto garage, pharmacy, city security, city – wide security fence and future homes to mention but a few.
Adedayo, therefore, urged investors to take advantage of the opportunity by investing in its facilities like real estate, commercial stores, entertainment centres, hospitality/extended – stay facilities, staff housing scheme, student hostels and independent rental homes because it is offering the best opportunity to reap huge financial returns from minimum investment
The minimum investment in the green city housing development opportunities is N5 million which is projected to generate 100 per cent return on investment by the end of five years
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Court assumes jurisdiction over N100m suit filed against developer
A Lagos State High Court sitting in Epe has assumed jurisdiction over the suit filed by Homeowners within the Pearl Garden Estate situated at Sangotedo Village in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state against a property developer, Oyetubo Jokotade Estate Resource Limited.
The claimants had sued the property developer before the court over alleged incessant harassment and imposition of arbitrary charges.
Joined as second defendant in the suit is CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company Limited, which is in charge of providing estate management services.
The N100 million suit was instituted by Messrs Francis Adesuyi, Felix Obiakor, Martin Ajayi-Obe and Peter Afenotan on behalf of themselves and all interested homeowners within the Pearl Garden Estate.
The trial judge, while assuming jurisdiction over the suit, dismissed the defendants application which prayed for the matter to be referred to arbitration.
The judge in his ruling, held that the defendants had already taken certain steps in the suit which had conferred jurisdiction on the court.
Justice Bashua also fixed June 15, 2015 for hearing of an interlocutory application dated February 19, 2015 which was filed by the claimant’s counsel, Mr Adeyinka Adeyemi.
He directed the defendant’s counsel, Mr. Gabriel Uwaifo, to file his reply in order for the court to hear arguments on the said application.
In the application, the claimants are asking the court for an Order of Interlocutory Injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from harassing or restricting the movement of the homeowners within the estate, pending the hearing an determination of the substantive suit.
They also asked for:”an Order of Interlocutory Injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from interfering with the rights of the homeowners in providing safe and drinkable water for themselves and their family members, pending the hearing an determination of the substantive suit.
“An Order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants and their agents, further demanding or collecting reticulation charges in the sum of N650,000 or any other sums from the claimants contrary to the express terms of the Deeds of Assignment and the Sale and Management Agreement, pending the hearing an determination of the substantive suit.”
The claimants further asked the court to restrain the defendants and their agents from further collecting the unilaterally imposed N35,000 fee from the homeowners, pending the hearing an determination of the substantive suit.
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Traders protest developer’s N5m demand
The Association of Wuye Ultra-modern Market Allotttees have protested the demand of N5 million by a private developer All Purpose Shelters Limited.
Members of the association took to the streets of Utako District of the Federal Capital Territory carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Wuye Market allottees say no to ejection,” “11 years after ejection, handover our shops,” “Rich Nigerians are terrorising our lives,” and “Mama CJN, save our souls, let justice prevail,” among others.
According to the solicitor to the association, Barrister Sepribo Peters, the developer’s request for N5 million from the shop owners is no longer a compensation but exploitation.
He alleged that despite the court order issued by Justice O.A. Musa asking the parties to maintain the status quo ante, the All Purpose Shelter Market has planned to re-open the market.
The solicitor noted that the association embarked on the peaceful protest to urge government to prevail on the developer to put on hold any plan to re-open the market.
He said alternatively government should prevail on All Purpose Shelters Limited to hand over the shops to the owners.
His words: “These poor unfortunate market people that had their shops burnt are now requested to pay N5 million. How come that the compensation is now N5 million? It is no longer compensation but exploitation.
“So, that is why we went to court and the court said everybody should maintain the status quo ante, meaning everybody should stay where he is, nobody should open the market.
“But now All Purpose Shelters said they are going to re-open the market. If we don’t make this peaceful protest against the planned re-opening of the market, there will be trouble. So, to that extent, we are saying government should intervene for them to obey the court order or they should hand over the shops to us.”
Speaking with journalists, one of the members, Mr. Obiefule Luke recalled that they were occupants of the burnt New Market in 2001. The minister promised to compensate the shop owners with shops in Garki, Mabuchi and Wuye.
According to him, the shop owners paid N2, 000, N5, 000, and N8, 000 respectively for the three different categories of shops. Till date, he said, they are yet to get their shops.
He noted that a private developer -All Purpose Shelters Limited-that was unknown to them came up with a request for N3 million, N3.5 million and N5 million for the same shops they had already paid for.
But despite an order of Justice O.A. Musa of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Apo Abuja asking the parties to maintain the status quo ante, the shop owners alleged that the developer has perfected plans to sell the shops to different owners this month.
Meanwhile, the solicitor to the association noted that the demand of N5 million from the victims of the fire incident is no longer a compensation but exploitation.
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NLC partners developer on N960b housing units
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in corroboration with a private property developer, Kriston Lally, will develop housing estates of $6 billion (about N960 billion) for its members across the country.
An agreement on this was signed in Abuja at the weekend.
NLC Acting President, Comrade Promise Adewusi, and the Group Executive Vice-Chairman of Kriston Lally EPC, Mr. Mustapha Madawaki, launched the partnership.
Adewusi explained that under the plan, affordable housing units would be provided for about 8 million willing NLC members.
He said: “We, as a labour movement, are worried about the 40 million housing deficit that exists in the country, as revealed by a United Nations (UN) study. This collaboration with Kriston Lally Nigeria Limited is to ensure that a good number of our members have decent roofs over their heads.
“The project is expected to cost about $6billion or N960billion. We consider the two per cent interest rate of the total amount of the property, which will be spread over 15 years, as very attractive and well below what is obtainable in the mortgage environment.”
The NLC chief said the step would prove wrong the notion that trade unionists were only known for making trouble and calling members for strikes.
He explained that the NLC piece of land in Nasarawa State and in other states would be used for the project.
According to him, the congress will reach out to other state governments to acquire land for the project, where it did not have land.
The Group Executive Vice-Chairman of Kriston Lally EPC, Mustapha Madawaki, said the housing units would include bungalows, two and three bedrooms, while the estates would include construction of a four-star hotel with a 180-guests room capacity.
He said: “The opportunity is open to any member of the NLC. Beneficiaries are expected to pay a minimum 10 per cent of the cost and pay the rest over 15 years. All interested persons should do is to pay at any branch of Zenith Bank and we will take over the process from there.”
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Developer petitions Mark on demolition of 500 houses
An Abuja estate owner, Emmanuel Mbaka, has petitioned Senate President David Mark a the demolition of 500 housing units in an state at Lugbe in Abuja by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
The petition was copied to the three senators representing Abia State in the National Assembly.
The Abia State Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Emma Nwaka, sent the petition on behalf Mbaka.
The petitioner said the demolition happened on September 29 without a prior notice from the FCDA.
He said: “The only idea I had about the grouse of the authority was over the genuineness of my title documents as broadcast on the radio on September 28.”
The petition reads: “When efforts to contact the authority failed, I got in touch with Senator Smart Adeyemi, the Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, who was kind enough to listen. He scheduled a meeting with the authority on October 2.
“But given the fact that the minds of those at the helm of affairs at the FCDA to inflict pain on me had been made up, they went on the rampage with their bulldozers and reduced to rubble a built-up housing estate, thereby pre-empting and making nonsense of the scheduled meeting.”
Mbaka insisted that there is an ulterior motive behind the action of the FCDA.
According to him, even if the title documents were defective, justice demands that enough notice should have been given and the owner’s side of the story heard before any action was taken.
He said: “Instead of waiting for the scheduled meeting already arranged between the two parties, the authorities of the FCDA went behind Senator Adeyemi and demolished the estate and never bothered to give any reasons for their action.”
The petitioner said instead of applying elementary justice, the authority assumed the position of the complainant, prosecutor, judge and jury in the matter.