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Tag: developers

  • 133 developers shun Lagos govt’s call for regularisation

    133 developers shun Lagos govt’s call for regularisation

    • Agency confirms talks with 43 out of 176 estate owners

    Despite offering developers of the alleged 176 illegal estates in Lagos State several windows of opportunities to regularise their approvals, they have failed to seize such opportunities.

    Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, who made this known at a maiden quarterly meeting, said the only option left for the state government was to seal off the estates at the expiration of the amnesty window granted to developers.

    He insisted that it was illegal to start construction without the requisite government approvals, and advised subscribers to estates to ask for relevant documents before parting with their hard-earned money, to avoid losing their investment.

    “The law states that before developing an estate in Lagos, developers must have proof of land ownership like a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) or Governor’s Consent, a current Tax Clearance Certificate and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report.

    “They must also obtain a Planning Permit from Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), by submitting stamped architectural, survey and structural drawings, along with other required documents and fees,” he said.

    According to the commissioner, a C of O proves legal ownership of the land for a specified period, while Governor’s Consent is needed if the land was previously owned or transferred, to confirm government approval of the transaction.

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    Other requirements include Deed of Assignment, which is a legal document that records the sale of the property; Planning & Environmental Approvals, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), architectural and structural drawings, which must be approved by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).

    The approved architectural and structural drawings must be signed, sealed and stamped by a registered architect and a COREN-registered structural engineer, with a Survey Plan, which is a map of the land showing boundaries that must be registered in the Lagos database.

    Others are financial and operational documentation, which must include Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) showing that the developer is up-to-date with personal or corporate tax obligations, Land Use Charge Receipt, proof of payment for land taxes, indicating the land’s permitted use (residential, commercial), and evidence of having paid development fees to the Lagos State Government.

    Olumide, however, lamented that some of the developers were developing on land designated for agriculture and infrastructure because they didn’t bother to clear with the government and get the necessary approvals before embarking on estate development.

    He said after the exercise in Etiosa Local Government Area (LGA) and Epe axis, government would turn its attention to Ikorodu and Badagry divisions.

    The commissioner said the state government would not shy away from its duty of care to majority of the citizens by closing its eyes to gross irregularity in the sector. 

    He, however, said there was no going back on the demolition going on around Iyana Oworo area of the state, where the government was clearing shanties and unapproved structures.

    Olumide warned residents to do the right thing ‘’because one day government will decide to act and people will lose their investment because of illegalities.’’

    He said many areas known as informal places such as high tension, set-backs and car parks ‘’will now be beautified to create a beautiful ambience in the state.’’

    On the accusation that approval timelines were unusually cumbersome, the commissioner said it had been streamlined to about 10 days.

    He hinted that the state government was working on digitalised approval permits that would reduce the time to obtain building permits to 10 days maximum, if the prospective owners had all the necessary documents.

  • FG to summon developers, contractors over abandoned housing projects

    FG to summon developers, contractors over abandoned housing projects

    The federal government said it would summon contractors and developers of federal housing projects in the country.

    The government, which said it would no longer tolerate abandoned housing projects in the country when millions of Nigerians are in need of housing, added that it intends to recoup its investments.

    The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa stated this in Abuja after the inspection of two housing projects, the NHP Karsana housing project and the Brains and Hammers Deidei housing projects in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    He said his Ministry intends to have a sit down with such contractors and developers to know the reasons why they abandoned such projects.

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    Dangiwa also said they realised that some of the developers or contractors do not have the managerial or financial capacity, these are some of the developers they would age out and bring in serious ones.

    He said: “President Bola Tinubu is passionate about providing affordable housing for Nigerians, it is one of the renewed hope vision. We are going around the sites to see the projects that the Federal Ministry of Housing has constructed

    “Well contractors talking about a review of their contracts would have to engage the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) because I know that loans were given to them, if they couldn’t finish within time, then they would have to go and sit down with FMBN to explain why they couldn’t finish the projects within the stipulated time

    “On the aspect of the abandoned housing projects in the country, what we are telling most of the contractors is that we would no more tolerate any abandoned, we intend to recoup the investments put in by the government, so all abandoned construction sites, we are inviting all the developers to come and have a sit down with us so we can know the reasons why they abandoned such projects.

    “Some of the developers or contractors we realised do not have the managerial or financial capacity, these are some of the developers we would age out and bring serious ones for the construction to take off because at the end of the day, we want to ensure that Nigerians are better for it because there are millions of Nigerians that need houses.”

  • ‘Shun unregistered estate agents, developers’

    Lagos State Government has advised residents seeking for accommodation to engage only registered estate agents/developers.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Mr Wasiu Adedamola Akewusola, stated this at Alapere, Lagos.

    He spoke against the backdrop of what happened in Ketu where a fraudulent property developer collected money from over 262 prospective home buyers for only 15 units of studio rooms.

    Akewusola said: “Residents of Lagos State should desist from patronising quacks and criminals when scouting for accommodation and homes to buy.”

    He decried the rate at which illegal estate agents/developers swindle innocent people.

    “Lagos State Government is greatly concerned about the rise in the criminal and callous activities of some dubious estate agents who lure unwary individuals to purchase non-existent parcels of land or rent one flat out to hundreds of tenants,” he said.

    He declared that it is the responsibility of Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department (LASRETRAD), a directorate under the Ministry of Housing, to register and regulate activities of estate agents and developers.

    He advised intending tenants to ascertain that they transact business with only registered agents who can be recognised by the government estate agent registration banner.

    He seized the opportunity to ask the people to continue to have confidence in the government’s ability to fulfil the mandate of accessible, affordable qualitative housing.

    He said: “Lagos State is a responsible government and will not relent in its efforts of ensuring that the well-being of the people is upheld.”

    Also, the Director, LASRETRAD, Ajayi Adeyeye, described dubious estate agents as “not only criminal and illegal, but also an offence punishable under the Lagos State tenancy law of 2003 formerly known as Rent Control and Recovery of Residential Premises law (Vol.7 Law of Lagos State 2003.)”

    Adeyeye said the law that governs the rental of property is the basis of the legal contract that defines the relationship among the landlord, developer and tenant.

    He stressed that the government was poised to curb the excesses of swindlers, and quack estate agents through prosecution.

    He urged the public report any unscrupulous estate agent to LASRETRAD .

    He said a secured society could only be achieved if unscrupulous elements were restrained. He  appealed to the registered estate agents to imbibe the culture of trustworthiness.

  • Developers inaugurate real estate data collation, management programme

    The Real Estate Development Association of Nigeria (REDAN) has inaugurated a National Real Estate Data Collation and Management Programme (NRE-DCMP) as part of efforts to facilitate robust housing delivery and investment.

    REDAN President Ugochukwu Chime called on state governments to respond to requests for land administration information to enable states’ real estate data be reported upon.

    He revealed that REDAN is proposing that any state government unwilling to embark on the needed structural improvement should be blacklisted from receiving investment.

    It would be recalled that NRE-DCMP was initiated by REDAN and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to collate property price index nationwide in order to solve housing problems in the country. The estate data,  aimed at getting a confirmed housing deficit figure towards mitigating the challenge, was hoisted on the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) website for public usage.

    Chime described the real estate data, which provided information for planning, investment analysis and direct energy towards policy decision, as a noble activity of stakeholders piloted in 36 states and the Federal Capital Teritory (FCT).

    He said: “The current huge transaction time and cost being encountered with the 37 land administrators, 36 states and the FCT in Nigeria is a great barrier to investment flow into the real estate sector. Shelter Afrique has refused to invest in many parts of Nigeria, especially Abuja, because of this challenge,” he said.

    The surveyor further said the model mortgage law, foreclosure law and multi-door court process must be adopted expeditiously by all the 37 land administrators. He added that the theme of the expo, “Real Estate Development, the Bedrock for National Economic Stability’’, was aimed at showcasing housing as a tool for employment generation and inclusive  growth.

  • Developers mull change in land use

    •LASBCA insists on compliance

    If the Association of Real Estate Developers of Nigeria (AREDOLS), Lagos State chapter, have their way, setbacks on building sites may be reduced.

    AREDOLS, at a meeting aimed at  fostering better working relationship with the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA), asked the government to reduce the mandatory space to be left on plots underdevelopment

    Under the building regulations of the state, and depending on the location, a developer is expected to leave certain spaces on the land when building.

    AREDOLS Lagos chapter Chairman Mr. Nureni Olanrewaju, who led the body’s executive council and members to the meeting, said granting such request would further enhance more housing space for the people, especially now that there is a huge deficit in housing.

    “We would like you to consider this reduction in space. In Cotonou, (Benin Republic) building on fence wall is allowed,” he explained.

    Other issues Olanrewaju asked the government to look into, include  streamlining its several agencies involved in supervision of construction works; tax clearance issues and building approval timeframe, among others.

    But LABSCA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Shodeinde, explained that conformity to building approval cannot be wished away. He said the conditions stipulated by the government were for the good of the people and the environment.

    “Our environment is hot, so we need space for proper cross ventilation; and other future development that the government may want to embark on,” he said.

    A senior Consultant architect with Advanced Engineering Consultants (AEC), Richard Ibilola, agreed with Shodeinde. He explained that when building on the Island or Lekki, for instance, it is mandatory to leave a space of nine meters in front of the building, and three meters by each side and behind; while on the mainland it is a mandatory six meters in front.

    He explained that the total built up area allowed on a plot of land is 36 percent, but can be allowed to stretch to 42 percent in some instances.

    “The reason for the mandatory allowances on a land is mainly for greening, parking, proper ventilation, good aesthetics, and other things to make living comfortable,” Ibilola said.

    Shodeinde, who rued the recurring building collapse in the state, vowed to enforce ‘no construction at night’ policy as part of the working strategies to minimise incidences of building collapse. He urged residents to raise the alarm over any suspected distressed building or those under construction with shoddy construction works.

    “Building collapse is not a normal phenomenon. It occurs as a result something left undone as far as due process is concerned. Once people get approval, ensure that God-fearing professionals are engaged in the development with the use of standard and adequate materials, the incidences of building collapse will be adequately minimised. Most tests on collapse site always show that materials used are of substandard. We are out to ensure everybody builds right and enforce compliant. But right now, we are thinking outside the box now to monitor 24/7 to ensure compliance.

    He called on all Lagosians, especially member of AREDOLS to embrace whistle blowing method regarding substandard structure being put in place by unscrupulous developers, saying that the current administration was committed to flushing out the bad eggs among the developers.

    “I want to encourage you to embrace the whistle blowing in this profession. Anyone who is putting up bad structure or building at night expose the person. Alert us, we will respond and stop such project ans possibly get the person arrested,” he appealed.

    Shodeinde also disclosed that going by Lagos State laws, henceforth, any collapse site involving the loss of human lives would be forfeited to government, especially when it is proved that the incident is as a result of negligence on the part of the owner or developer.

  • Minister hails developers on lease-to-own plan

    Some developers have got the thumbs up for their plan which involves tenants graduating from leasers to owners of their accommodations.

    The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Muhammad Bello lauded developers of Court Estate for building structures that encourages FCT residents to rent and eventually own structures 15 years after occupying the building.

    Bello during the unveiling of the estate in Durumi said the population of FCT had been growing at a rate of 20 per cent annually, stressing that the project was in line with the mandate of the administration to provide housing for residents especially at an affordable rate.

    He lamented situations where estates are developed but remained unoccupied as a result of the high cost.

    He said, “Let me say that the FCT Administration sees this project as a gesture of good will and a demonstration of confidence in the present administration which is working round the clock to not only address the housing deficit in the country but also attract foreign direct investment into the sector.

    “I am particularly happy to see that the whole estate was conceived with the lower income earners in mind, with an innovative programme called Lease-To-Own, which I was told would allow your clients to own a house by leasing or renting the property over a 15 year period. This is a good idea which I must say is highly commendable and it is also in tune with the vision of the FCT Administration.”

    “When the accelerated mass housing development was initiated by previous Administrations in the FCT, it was intended to accommodate all strater of the society; low, medium and high income earners. Along the line however, a lot of things happened which derailed that vision and if you move round the estates in the city today, you will discover that most of them are empty because many of us cannot afford the very high cost being charged by the developers,” the minister added.

    Bello, who was represented by Engr. Umar Gambo noted that efforts are ongoing to ensure that such infractions do not occur in the future by ensuring strict adherence to laid down guidelines.

    In his remark, the Chief Executive, Crown Realties Plc, Mr. Darl Uzu described the estate as a place to live a good life.

    He said aside from the modern facilities and technology driven security system, the estate is built with a golf court and runs on 24-hour power system.

    According to him, the estate is reasonably affordable with flexible payment system terms which he also described as lease-to-own programme.

    “The estate is the first golf estate in Abuja, borrowing from my chairman, that I know, with a club house, garden, gym, wellness place and mini-mart for purchase of everyday items by residents. It has a programme that allows residents to pay rent and live up to 15 years and it becomes their own thereafter.”

  • Ogun warns developers

    Henceforth, developers of buildings without proper approval in Ogun State will be sanctioned. An erring developer will not only pay a fine, the building will also be demolished.

    To this end, the state government has advised property developers to obtain building permit before making any change in the use of land, building and structure or converting same from its approved usage.

    The Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning, Bashorun Adetola Adeife, gave the  warning after leading a team to seal some buildings in Ilaro and its environs in Ogun West Senatorial District.

    He said the era of impunity was over as the government would not fold its arms and watch developers contravene the state’s Urban and Regional Planning law, adding that their actions could turn the environment into slums.

    ‘’I urge all developers to obtain their permit before embarking on any construction as this would enable the professionals in the Ministry to guide the developers to build in line with the Urban and Regional Planning law without altering the layouts and at the same time increase the government revenue,’’ Adeife said.

  • Developers seek solutions to Bayelsa housing problems

    Developers seek solutions to Bayelsa housing problems

    Lack of affordable and decent accommodation has remained one of the major headaches of living in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Residential houses are scarce and the ones available are expensive and almost beyond the reach of many inhabitants.

    A standard two-bedroom flat goes for between N450,000 to N550,000. A good self-content apartment is priced between N180,000 to N200,000 while a bedroom flat goes for about N250,000. So, most people are forced to live in slums under excruciating environmental conditions.

    Such slums located at different parts of the capital city, even close to the Government House, Onopa, are congested neighbourhoods. People erect and live in mud houses with their families.

    In fact, the problem is compounded by lack of deliberate plans by the state government to engage in housing projects. Also, wealthy politicians known to have amassed wealth in government, instead of building residential estates, prefer erecting hotels.

    But private developers seem to have come to the rescue. One of the developers, Orlum Nigeria Limited (ONL) has embarked on a project of encouraging people living in the state to build and own their houses. Recently, the company entered into an agreement with the Otuasega, a community close to Yenagoa, to acquire large parcel of land, map it and sell to interested builders in affordable prices.

    The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the community to develop and sell the parcel of land situated at Ekuraba/Obo-olo bush within Ogbia Local Government Area of the state. The company recently mowed down the forest with its earth-moving equipment to access roads to the area.

    Speaking to Niger Delta Report, the Chief Executive Officer, (ONL), Mr. Teknikio Clarkson, said the company adopted a strategy of providing good housing with quality environment to residents.

    He said: “To us sometimes the work is really challenging, the challnges we face is that we source for funds, invest and we are also stakeholders so that we will feel the pain and participte with the people and then come up with development measures that would make us achieve an aim of quality enviroment and quality living.

    “It takes a lot of convincing, resources for is to get there. Everything that is done must be done according to accuraccy. If you are not patient enough you will end up not even achieving anything but thank God we have been able to make a mark.

    He assured people intending to acquire plots of land in the area of security on their investment. He said the company operated within the bounds of the law. He said the firm was founded with the principles of integrity and justice.

    “We stand on truth and justice. So, we are assuring eveyone who invest in us that you can invest and go home and sleep. We secure your investment so you dont run a loss. So we are assuring everyone to come and invest with us”, he said.

    Reacting to the development, an elder from the community who identified himself as Pastor Ogar, praised the company for initiating a gesture to develop the rural community. He said the roads being mapped out in the area would help to open up the rural dwelling.

  • Developers seek solutions to Bayelsa housing problems

    Developers seek solutions to Bayelsa housing problems

    Back of affordable and decent accommodation has remained one of the major headaches of living in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Residential houses are scarce and the ones available are expensive and almost beyond the reach of many inhabitants.

    A standard two-bedroom flat goes for between N450,000 to N550,000. A good self-content apartment is priced between N180,000 to N200,000 while a bedroom flat goes for about N250,000. So, most people are forced to live in slums under excruciating environmental conditions.

    Such slums located at different parts of the capital city, even close to the Government House, Onopa, are congested neighbourhoods. People erect and live in mud houses with their families.

    In fact, the problem is compounded by lack of deliberate plans by the state government to engage in housing projects. Also, wealthy politicians known to have amassed wealth in government, instead of building residential estates, prefer erecting hotels.

    But private developers seem to have come to the rescue. One of the developers, Orlum Nigeria Limited (ONL) has embarked on a project of encouraging people living in the state to build and own their houses. Recently, the company entered into an agreement with the Otuasega, a community close to Yenagoa, to acquire large parcel of land, map it and sell to interested builders in affordable prices.

    The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the community to develop and sell the parcel of land situated at Ekuraba/Obo-olo bush within Ogbia Local Government Area of the state. The company recently mowed down the forest with its earth-moving equipment to access roads to the area.

    Speaking to Niger Delta Report, the Chief Executive Officer, (ONL), Mr. Teknikio Clarkson, said the company adopted a strategy of providing good housing with quality environment to residents.

    He said: “To us sometimes the work is really challenging, the challnges we face is that we source for funds, invest and we are also stakeholders so that we will feel the pain and participte with the people and then come up with development measures that would make us achieve an aim of quality enviroment and quality living.

    “It takes a lot of convincing, resources for is to get there. Everything that is done must be done according to accuraccy. If you are not patient enough you will end up not even achieving anything but thank God we have been able to make a mark.

    He assured people intending to acquire plots of land in the area of security on their investment. He said the company operated within the bounds of the law. He said the firm was founded with the principles of integrity and justice.

    “We stand on truth and justice. So, we are assuring eveyone who invest in us that you can invest and go home and sleep. We secure your investment so you dont run a loss. So we are assuring everyone to come and invest with us”, he said.

    Reacting to the development, an elder from the community who identified himself as Pastor Ogar, praised the company for initiating a gesture to develop the rural community. He said the roads being mapped out in the area would help to open up the rural dwelling.

  • Rivers State should encourage tourism developers – Amachree

    Rivers State should encourage tourism developers – Amachree

    The proprietor of the Brooklyn Tourism Centre and former President of the Association Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), Alabo Mike Amachree, has called on the Rivers State government to encourage the private tourism developers to establish tourist sites and museums where artifacts, relics and monuments would be on display. He said it was the only way to make the state a tourist destination.

    He added: “Organizing carnivals, night clubs, hotels and tour guide services are completely the function of the private sectors as was the case in Plateau state in the early 90’s. Government’s position is to provide the infrastructure for the private sector to operate. Amachree made this call when a group, the Niger Delta Cultural Entertainers paid him a visit.”

    Amachree said tourism was not just about building hotels, fast food restaurants, organizing carnival festivals that will attract the desired tourists to Rivers State as these facilities are mere ancillary or support service for tourism promotion and tourist delight.

    He said the state has to develop high class tourist sites and museums where our history and cultural relics, artifacts and monuments would be permanently exhibited for admiration by our visiting tourists. The tour operators would then market the sites and bring in visitors. He said also that development and promotion of tourism was entirely a private sector affair, and that government was to provide enabling environment.

    The leader of the group, Professor Henry Bellgam of the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Port Harcourt, said the visit was to  felicitate and encourage the proprietor of the centre, Alabo Mike Amachree , on his latest tourism venture, the Brooklyn Tourism Centre, Port Harcourt.

    The group noted that Chief Amachree despite his age and years in industry was still enthusiastic and at the forefront of promoting Niger Delta in particular and Nigeria in general as a tourism destination. They noted that the Brooklyn Tourist Centre would not only offer relaxation facilities for  residents of Port Harcourt, but would also be educative for pupils in both primary and secondary school as the have the opportunity to see both exotic animals and through the museum learn about the history of Africa.

    The centre, located at the East-West Road, Rumuosi in Obio-Akpor council area of the state, has in addition to relaxation and accommodation facilities, the Museum of African History and Culture and a zoo.  The museum had history of top monarchs that has left indelible marks in the history of Nigeria.

    In his speech at the occasion, Amachree thanked them for the visit. He explained that tourism was  major economic activity which generates income and create employment for the people. He said for a country or state to attract tourists both local and inbound tourists, necessary infrastructures and superstructures that are capable of attracting tourists have to be put in place in addition to the tourists attractions.

    He said: “Tourism can only succeed in an environment where there is peace and security. I therefore express my sincere appreciation of the people of the Rumuosi community in the Obio/Akpor council area where the centre is located”.

    Among those in the team were Dr. P.C. Chuku, Mr. Bright David and others.