The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Stakeholders

  • Our grouse with Indian gari, by stakeholders

    Our grouse with Indian gari, by stakeholders

    The diversification agenda of the Federal Government has gone awry with the Indian gari import, despite that Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy, is also the world’s largest producer of cassava from which gari is produced. Assistant Editor OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE sought reactions of stakeholders on the issue.

    It started as a rumour. Now it has been confirmed — gari is being imported from India.

    This has put the Federal Government’s diversification policy and drive to expand the economy on the spot; it has been criticised by stakeholders in the industry.

    The stakeholders, who spoke to The Nation, expressed dismay that the government was not walking its talk.

    They cited the new foreign exchange (forex) policy, which allocates forex for the importation of raw materials and machinery for production.

    The stakeholders condemned the recent importation of Indian gari, when there is enough cassava to produce sufficient garri for the populace. Importation of garri is wrong when we have enough garri processors, they said.

    However, The Nation’s investigation showed that the imported Indian gari, packaged in a 500g bag, has a picture of a lady and inscription (TRS, Asia’s Finest Foods) on it, with a price tag of N450.

    Uche Nnadi, a medium-scale agro processer in Mowe, Ogun State, said: “It is very sad that we are now allowing imported garri into the country. We are not encouraging our industry to grow and the government said they are supporting agriculture. They are also encouraging the youth to go into agriculture. How can they compete with the foreign imported variety? Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operators have  complained about stringent conditions put on the path of ther operation by regulatory agencies, such as NAFDAC, SON and other environmental and water agencies, which hamper their growth. Also, how did the packaged Indian gari find its way into the market without certification by regulators?

    “The backbone of Indian and Chinese industrial revolution is the small and medium scale industry. They have an enabling environment – energy, good laboratories and patriotic quality control agencies, including what they call ‘hand holding’ for small companies to ensure they don’t go under.”

    He regretted that the government was not encouraging local enterprise, wondering how the packaged gari was allowed to come in. According to him, the Indian garri has been around for over two years and sold in upscale markets of Victoria Island and Ikoyi in Lagos.

    ‘’Agencies of the government should know that it is immoral to import what we can adequately produce. Gari is our staple food and almost every household in the South grow cassava. Besides, Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world. What is the rationale behind importing gari into the country?’’ he added.

    Natural Nutrient Limited Executive Director Sola Adeniyi said he was appalled when he saw a post titled: “Attention: Indian gari sold here” in  supermarkets.

    Adeniyi, an expert in agribusiness development, said the sale of Indian gari in Nigeria was an absurdity and a shame. Can you imagine imported gari from India selling in shops in Nigeria?

    Adeniyi said: “So, we finally have consigned our dear country to a dumping ground for all forms of Asian mindless madness. Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava but here we are, shamelessly displaying Indian-made gari and not corn flakes on our shelves.’’

    The social media was also awash with condemnation of the Indian gari. Some of the comments are: “I just hope Nigeria has not been sold out in the name of some clueless economic partnership.” “Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava. How on earth should we be importing garri into our market? We are not encouraging our industry to grow at all.”

    Following the outrage, NAFDAC officials raided a shop on Cameron Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. According to the agency’s Acting Director-General, Mrs. Yetunde Oni, the agency’s officers visited the supermarket on Monday and seized 26 packs of the product for analysis.

    “The product has no NAFDAC number. It is said to be from Ghana but packaged in the United Kingdom. The management of the supermarket has been invited for further discussion at our Lagos office and investigation continues,” she said.

    Last year, the news media was awash with the alleged massive importation of Jollof rice and several varieties of the nation’s local soup from India, in addition to tonnes of plastic rice imported from China shortly before the Christmas festivity but nothing came out of it.

    Those who spoke to The Nation wondered how porous our borders are to allow such things in while the Nigerian Customs is there. They wondered how Customs break into shops in the guise of looking for contraband and cannot detect this serious infraction.

    Ekong Udoh, a trader in Mushin,  said, she knew about yellow garri from the Southeast and Southsouth, Abeokuta garri, ljebu garri and Cotonou garri and even Bourkina Faso beans. Each has its distinctive taste. “Which one is Indian gari again? Why are we importing something as common as gari that we can produce. Do they want the poor man to just die like that?” she asked.

    Alhaji Yusuf Abdulahi, one of the market leaders in Mile 12 food market, said a ban on these products was vital. ‘’If this unfettered importation is encouraged, it will kill local production. That is why most of these foreign countries will not want us to be self-reliant in the area of food production because we have the population and they are looking for places to dump these products.

    “I was shocked when l saw some of  these Asians in the bush around Mowe/Ibafo axis in Ogun and Oyo states. They go to most of our villages and farms to buy off our produce. Only to repackage them and bring them back to us. The unfortunate thing, however, is that you will always see them with a Nigerian guide,” he added.

    The stakeholders said most countries have trade protection for products they have comparative advantage. In the United States, they said, you cannot not export steel and other similar products.

    ‘’They have  refused to sign some international conventions and treaties they find harmful to their economy. This also applies to Netherlands were beef and dairy products cannot be imported because the government owes it a duty to protect their farmers and by extension their economy unlike here were we are only good at policies but not full implementation,” they added.

  • Culture minister advises stakeholders on tourism

    Culture minister advises stakeholders on tourism

    MINISTER of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, has called on tourism stakeholders to move the industry to the next level.
    He made the call at the presentation and launch of a book titled: “Redefining tourism in Nigeria: The real issues and challenges Vol. 1-3” at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
    The Minister, represented by the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality & Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Mrs. Chika Balogun, said: “This effort must be collective and should attract the best of public-private partnership.’’
    He added: “Nigeria has strong comparative advantages in the hospitality and tourism industry because of its diverse cultural heritage that are all disposed to what is commonly referred to as the Nigerian hospitality.
    “This great nation is, indeed, blessed with abundant natural and cultural resources that are well-blended for tourists’delight and, might I add, a strong emphasis on domestic tourism. It is against this background that the Federal Government is committed to repositioning tourism as one of the levers for economic growth and development in the country,” Lai Muhammed said.
    Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Director-General Mrs. Mariel Rae-Omoh restated her commitment to ensuring that youths embraced tourism.
    This, according to her, informed the efforts of the corporation to promote youth tourism.
    She said:“I have always been a crusader of youth tourism, even before I became the Acting DG. And now, the efforts have been geared up as the corporation under my administration is committed to heightening the interest of the youth in tourism, making them appreciate the inherent rewards of the money-spinning sector.”
    Mrs Rae-Omoh, who noted that the book would educate youths on the importance of tourism, added that the book was long overdue.
    The tourism book is centered on changing Nigerians’perception on the place of tourism to the national development.

  • Lagos task police, stakeholders on child rights law

    THE Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, has urged operatives of divisional gender units of Nigeria Police Force and others relevant stakeholders in the protection of children’s rights to be mindful of provisions of the state’s Child Rights Law.

    The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Hakeem Mufri-Okunola made the call during a training programme for police officers and stakeholders on children matters at Alausa, Ikeja. According to him, the training programme was meant to strengthen the executive order of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration on its newly signed guidelines and policies called “Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy”. He explained that the policy was aimed at intensifying the protection of individuality and uniqueness of every child and it gives clear and concise directions to all child-centred organizations, correctional homes among others on various roles to play when contact exists with children.

    He said: “The law has adequately catered for the establishment of specialized unit within the police force to handle cases involving children who are in conflict with the law and children that requires protection from harms, abuse and other discriminatory practices, likewise the state government has also appointed a designated officer who will play the role of social worker in all child centred organization, public or private within the state and to also serve as a point of contact for all cases of abuse and relate with Child Protection Unit(CPU).’’ He urged individuals, charity organisations and corporate bodies to be alive to their responsibilities by giving their best in helping hapless children while also complementing the state government’s efforts in providing opportunity for young people in order to make the best out of their lives.

    Speaking on the role of the police, a facilitator from Police Training College in Ikeja, Inspector Okafor Kenneth Ewemethafor,pointed out that all police divisions have established Juvenile Welfare Centre (JWC) mainly assigned to handle cases involving different types of child abuses ranging from emotional, physical, sexual, neglect, domestic violence amongst others in the state. Inspector Ewemethafor admonished Lagosians to report all cases of child abuse to the nearest police station as there are provided instrument for specialized personnel under JWC unit in safeguarding the interest of victims. Also speaking at the event, the Director, Social Welfare, Mrs. Laide Latinwo pleaded with police officers to continue to complement efforts the state government in protecting children across the state.

  • ‘Stakeholders vital to NTDC’s success’

    ‘Stakeholders vital to NTDC’s success’

    THE Acting Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs Mariel Rae-Omoh has promised to work with stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industries to sell the country as a destination of choice.
    Speaking at an interactive meeting with stakeholders in Lagos, Mrs Rae-Omoh said her major goal is to sell the country’s tourism potential to the outside world and, in turn, boost our economy.
    Her words: “My objectives are to raise the NTDC moral to accelerate the mission of boosting the industry; to cordially work with the stakeholders, and to develop a template for running tourism in Nigeria.
    “We can only achieve our goals when the experts in the sector join their voices and ideas with ours. Then, we will set the goals to be met and come out with a practicable blueprint to achieve the set objectives.”
    Mrs Rae-Omoh described stakeholders as key in the industry, explaining: “They must be embraced for her to succeed, especially, in this industry.
    “Our basic goal is to sell our country to the world; we cannot do it on the pages of the newspapers. Professionals and stakeholders should be the ones fronting the goals on our behalf; so we need to collaborate with them.
    “I need a lot of workable advice, suggestions and challenges from those on the field so that the industry can become an economic hold for the country.”
    She added that boosting the morale of the staff would further accelerate the mission of boosting the industry.
    “The staff is the engine behind the success of any organisation; if they have low morale, the result will be failure so they must be adequately motivated,” she said.
    The stakeholders promised to collaborate with the NTDC chief to achieve her lofty goal for the industry.
    They described the appointment of Mrs Rae-Omoh as a prayer answered by players to have a professional as the captain of NTDC.
    National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies  (NANTA) President, Mr. Bankole Bernard, said the industry should celebrate the appointment of Mrs Rae-Omoh, being a tourism professional.
    Ayo Olowoporoku of Hotel Supports called for a good regulatory framework to drive the industry.
    He noted that many countries, including Kenya and South Africa, have benefited from tourism, charging the Federal Government to fund NTDC to enable the corporation perform maximally.

  • Reps, stakeholders bicker over petrol pump prices

    Reps, stakeholders bicker over petrol pump prices

    •Marketers  ask NPA, NIMASA to stop charging in dollars
    •Labour unions: Nigerians ’ll not accept another increase

    THE House of Representatives ad hoc committee on the review of the pump price of petrol and stakeholders in the sector yesterday bickered on the high price of petrol.
    At the first leg of a two-day hearing, the committee headed by Raphael Nnanna Igbokwe accused a number of government agencies of contributing to the astronomical price of petrol.
    The lawmakers said the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) was not doing enough to justify the 84 kobo/litre collected from importers.
    According to the lawmakers, NPA would have justified the amount being collected if the seas were dredged and vessels did not have to endure ship-to-ship discharging of products, “which adds to the costs of products and loss of revenue for the country”.
    The committee’s chairman insisted that the Acting General Manager of the NPA, Mr. Ephraim Okoro, did not have the capacity to answer the prodding questions of the committee.
    He said the NPA Managing Director must be at today’s session of the hearing to answer relevant questions on the issue.
    On the part of the Petroleum Products Prices Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), which was represented by its Executive Secretary, Victor Shidok, the agency told the committee that the 30 kobo administrative charge on petrol was for services like data capturing and monitoring by workers deployed to depots across the country.
    The committee, however, insisted that the agency must present its list of inspectors engaged from 2012 till date, amounts paid, copies of agreements entered into with them and proof of payment.
    The agency was ordered to provide proof of total amount received as administrative charges from 2012 to date.
    The Executive Secretary, Major Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Obafemi Olawore, said the fact that importers pay Nigeria Maritime Safety Administration (NIMASA) and the NPA in dollar was pulling “a great strain on the Naira”.
    He said though “NPA’s 84 kobo/litre and NIMASA’s 22 kobo/litre Harbour and Wharfage charges are statutory; they are high”.
    According to Olawore, NPA’s port charges “is the highest in the West Africa sub region”.
    He complained over multiple levies by government agencies and state government and pleaded with the committee to intervene.
    Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) President Igwe Achese, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) President Francis Johnson and Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Comrade Bobboi Kaigama insisted that Nigerians would not accept another increase in petrol price.
    They noted that if refineries were working, the country would not need to import products with the attendant exorbitant costs.
    They noted that pump price of petrol has been increased 22 times in the past.
    “For us as labour, we will not accept any increase,” they said.
    The chairman of the ad hoc committee, in his opening address, noted that the people were concerned about the general increase in prices of goods and services partly due to the increase of petrol to N145 per litre.
    “Can Nigerians be paying the cost of capital by importers and dealers? Can Nigerians be paying for lathering services when there are agencies, whose duties are to dredge our sea? How effective and transparent is the bridging claims?” he queried.
    Igbokwe said though the increase was said to eliminate payment of subsidy by government and the attendant fraud, justification have to be given on the N145 being charged and if Nigerians were getting value from the agencies, who earn income from the price template of petrol.

  • Stakeholders seek transparency in N46b fertilizer deal

    Stakeholders in the fertilizer development sector have faulted the secrecy with which a N46 billion deal between Nigeria and Morocco is being handled.

    In a January 17, 2017 petition signed by representatives of eight different fertilizer firms and submitted to the Senate yesterday, the firms alleged racketeering of the the product  by some vested interests.

    Mr. Felix Okonti who led seven others petitioners, accused some highly placed persons of hijacking the deal.

    Nigeria and Morocco had, a few weeks ago, signed a multi billion naira fertilizer deal, involving tons of fertilizer shipment from Morocco to Nigeria for the benefit of farmers.

    Okonti however, said instead of involving genuine fertilizer firms in the deal, a few privileged individuals had cornered the entire process.

    According to the complainants, the fertilizer cabal that was dismantled by the previous administration had regrouped and become more vicious under the present administration.

    They lamented that the MoU signed by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Moroccan leader to boost agricultural productivity in Nigeria was being kept secret by the cabal.

  • Stakeholders meet over council’s budget 

    The Sole Administrator Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Mr. Rotimi Ogunwuyi has said the council will consolidate on the Lagos State Development Programme to make life better for the people.

    Addressing stakeholders at a meeting in preparation for the council’s 2017 budget, the council chief said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had set the template for others to follow, noting that Mosan Okunola council is in high spirit to replicate it in the council.

    He explained that the stakeholders’ meeting was organised to enable the people to make their contributions toward the attainment of a budget that will take care of their pressing needs rather than embarking on projects that are unnecessary and which will not impact on the lives of the people.

    Ogunwuyi added that projects such as roads, youths’ development, primary health care (PHC), education, commerce and sporting activities were in top agenda of government’s fiscal policy.

    The Sole Administrator maintained that his leadership had always strived to ensure that the people were carried along.

    “That is why the stakeholders’ meeting is very important. They will use the opportunity to let government know what their priorities are,” he said.

    He noted that the era when government imposes its decision on the people without wide consultation was over, adding that success could be made easier when the people participate in decision-making.

    “In the past, the practice was for government to impose its wishes on the people without recourse to them and without considering their needs.  This is out of tune with development and democracy.

    “The spirit and letter of the new budgeting system at the local empowerment level means make it mandatory for the ultimate beneficiaries of government programmes and projects to be part of the whole arrangement, right from the beginning.

    “It is the above scenario that has necessitated the consultation. It must also be made clear that within the ambit of the financial capacity of the council, we expect the gathering to come up with the items that will be used to fashion out the 2017 budget.”

    Ogunwuyi further appealed to Nigerians to support the council’s PHC programme, stressing that the facilities were over-stretched.

    “It is in the best interest of the council that I appeal to Nigerians to support our PHC programme. We need more nurses to complement the ones we have on ground and to relieve our members of staff that are being overworked,” he said.

    He presented gift materials to Mrs Ogada Daisy who gave birth to the first baby of the month at the Rauf Aregbesola Hospital.

  • Stakeholders seek improved pre-shipment inspection of agro exports

    Stakeholders in the agricultural sector have urged the Federal Government to support pre-shipment inspection agencies to reduce rejection of the nation’s agro exports.

    The list of goods subject to inspections and quality testing is extensive, including food and agricultural products.

    They said providing an enabling environment for pre-shipment inspections is one of the corrective measures which need to be taken for compliance as their  activities  take place, prior to shipment to  export destination. Pre-shipment inspections are allowable under the World Trade Organisation (WTO), as long as the requirements in the WTO Agreement on Pre-shipment Inspections are met – non-discrimination, transparency and review and appeals processes.

    Cocoa Association of Nigeria President, Mr. Sayina Riman, said such inspections  would ensure that the quality and safety of produce are in line with the domestic regulations of the importing country.

    He said  non-payment of of  pre-shipment inspection agencies  would affect  the growth of agro exports. He noted that the agencies have, since inception, demonstrated commitment and introduced sanity into non-oil export documentation in Nigeria. The Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) has also contributed significantly to the nation’s earnings.

    Riman said a labourer deserved his wages. He called on the Minister of Finance to pay the agencies without further delay. “What we are seeing is not right. A labourer deserves his wages. The minister should pay these companies to forestall crisis in the non-oil sector, Riman. said.

    A Cocoa Consultant and Chief Executive of the Centre for Cocoa Development Initiatives, Mr. Robo Adhuze noted that an important aspect about agro produce to be exported is compulsory quality control and pre-shipment inspection.

    To this end, countries revert to pre-shipment inspections to guard their consumers and domestic producers against rejection at export destination due to capacity constraints relating to domestic standards and standard authorities and the lack of implementation of internationally accepted standards in the agric sector.

  • Stakeholders move to dislodge illegal settlers

    Barely 24 hours after a pro-environment non-governmental organisation, Safe Habitat called on the Lagos State Government and relevant stakeholders to show serious interest in the activities of aliens from neighbouring countries and criminals fleeing from other parts of the country in some riverine communities in the state, there are strong indications that efforts are on to dislodge them and remove their shanties any moment from now.

    The group with focus on environmental safety had in a statement by its Executive Director, Ade Williams on Saturday said “we are concerned about information reaching us that some aliens and criminals fleeing from law enforcement agencies have formed the habit of creating illegal settlements and shanties in some water front communities especially in Eti-Osa local government area of the state, where they constitute environmental nuisance and launch criminal attacks against residents of Lekki, Ikoyi, Victoria Island and others.”

    Williams said the earlier government and other stakeholders take decisive action against such settlements and shanties the better for the environment, lawful residents and business development of the area and the state as a whole.

    In a follow up statement on Sunday, Safe Habitat said “we are glad to update members of the public that further information reaching us after our statement on Saturday indicates that both the state government and the relevant stakeholders in Eti-Osa local government area of the state have started taking steps to remove the shanties in Ebute Ikate Elegushi to stop the entrenchment of environmental nuisance and security threats coming from the community.”

    While commending Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the Elegushi Royal Family and the Ikate Elegushi Residents Association for rising up to the challenge, Safe Habitat noted that the Lagos government had taken similar action last year to rid Ikoyi and Victoria Island of such environmental nuisance.

    Williams said past government in the state had equally summoned the same will to cleanse Kuramo beach of criminal activities in 2007 by dislodging illegal settlers erecting shanties there.

    Williams said: “We are aware that the prompt response by the state and the relevant stakeholders is to disallow fleeing Boko Haram insurgents dislodged from the North East, Niger Delta militants and other criminal elements from neighbouring countries from having a foothold in Eti-Osa and indeed Lagos state. We indeed commend this and urge all stakeholders to mobilise support for the effort.

    “We can also remember that sometimes in September 2014, a fight reportedly broke out at the shanties at Ebute Ikate, Ikateland between rival groups of Delta/Eastern extraction on the one hand and their Egun counterpart on the other as a result of which one Ogosu, the Egun cult leader allegedly killed one Daniel Edet who belonged to the rival group; but due to the timely intervention of policemen from Ilasan Police Station, the clash was prevented from escalating into a full-fledged internecine, tribal war. These are just a few of the several incidences of environmental nuisance in that part of the state we can mention now, in addition to the current security threat these shanties constitute to the entire state at the moment.”

  • Stakeholders seek adoption of alternative dispute resolution

    The real estate industry has grown to become one of the most vibrant sectors of the nation’s economy, including that of Lagos State.

    This is why the infrastructural renewal policy of the government, including an increased public spending on capital projects has made Lagos State a destination of choice for both commercial and residential developers.

    However, owing to this high market demand and the potentials the sector holds, activities in the real estate sector has become susceptible to abuse by individuals who engage in nefarious and unconventional activities. This has often times led to conflict within the industry.

    But, this trend may soon be reversed. Last week, the Estate Agents Practitioners Association of Nigeria (EAPAN), in collaboration with the Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department, (LASRETRAD), took steps to ensure an end to such happenings is put in place.

    At an annual Stakeholders’ Forum organised by LASRETRAD, themed: “Arbitration: A Better option To Dispute Resolution in Real Estate Practice,” Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, represented at the forum by his Special Adviser on Housing, Mrs. Aramide Giwanson, regretted that the number of court cases that the state’s Ministry of Housing has instituted as a result of issues arising from real estate transactions in recent times has not only become unprecedented, but also become a thorny issue. The forum aimed at proffering solutions to some anomalies in tenancy transactions in the state, the bulk of whose blame has been heaped on estate agents.

    “Therefore, the need to expeditiously dispose cases in order to sanitise and build confidence in the sector for the benefit of all stakeholders cannot be over-emphasised,” Ambode said.

    Addressing the forum, which held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Lagos State government Secretariat, Alausa, the state’s Commissioner for Housing, Gbolahan Lawal, said that in view of the importance of sector and its significant contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country, it is imperative that activities in such a sector is adequately and properly regulated to enable it deliver at its optimum for the overall benefit of both practitioners and the entire citizenry. “In any human endeavour, conflict, misunderstanding and professional misconduct cannot be completely eliminated. This is more so in the course of real estate transactions,” he said, adding that the present administration’s desire for quick conflict resolution led to the pursuit of alternative dispute resolution in the current judicial system.

    The Guest Speaker, Mr. Juwon Adenuga, who is also an Estate Surveyor and Valuer, contended that with the understanding of disputes and resolution options, it could be taken for granted that the option of arbitration is better suited to resolve disputes than litigation. This is because it saves a lot of time and resources than going through the litigation process.

    He noted that intending and existing investors in the sector need the guidance of surveyors to make feasible and valuable decision before investing and even afterwards. This, according to Adenuga, is because investments in real estate are capital intensive and by implication, if proper discernment is not made, it can lead to huge losses on investments.

    “It’s important that incidents capable of resulting in financial losses are minimised. That is why disputes, being one of such incidents need to be resolved as efficiently as possible and it is in this regard one would see that arbitration is far better than litigation. It saves time, money and quickly restores healthy relationship among the contending parties,” Lawal noted.

    Adenuga also identified the various services provided in real estate practice to include valuation, feasibility and viability appraisal, projectproperty development, and noted that in the course of rendering these services, relationships are created, most of which are contractual and commercial in nature.

    The issue of estate agents and their role drew the greatest attention at the forum as a result of the several tenancy-related problems which has become a regular occurrence in urban cities.

    The President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Dr. Bolarinde Patunola-Ajayi, while speaking at the forum, urged estate agents to flush out the bad eggs in their midst so as to save their profession. “Estate agency is more than business; it’s a profession and I urge the practitioners to see it as such. It’s our role as practitioners to collaborate with government to weed out fraudsters and quacks from the system. Let us uphold the code of conduct of our profession and sanitise it,” Patuola-Ajayi admonished.

    On his part, the President, Real Estate Agents in Nigeria, Mr. Kunle Adedeji, urged government to set up a monitoring team that will comprise of government officials and representative of various estate agent associations to serve as checks on activities of the operators in the sector. “I will implore government to ensure that tenancy law in Lagos is fully implemented and that can only be possible with collaboration of all stakeholders in the sector,” he said.