Month: June 2024

The Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Mr Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, has called on private companies to help in building more affordable housing units in the state to bridge the deficit gap.

Akinderu-Fatai made the call at the official inauguration and handover of the 270 home units, Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Estate (Cluster 1), on Thursday, in Lagos.

He said the occasion was a step toward alleviating the housing deficit in Lagos.

Akinderu-Fatai added the housing project would bring succour to the people of the Igando-Ikotun in Alimosho Local Government Area.

He emphasised that there were more people who needed affordable housing in Lagos than the government could currently provide on its own.

He said, ‘We are also using this medium to call for more private participation in strengthening our resolve to reduce the challenge of housing deficit in the state.

‘Though we have made significant financial investment through budgetary allocations towards completion of all existing housing schemes, we still need p
rivate sector’s support and contributions in order to speedily achieve the Lagos of our dreams.’

The commissioner said the project, with long and challenging journey, started in 2001 and had since faced multiple delays due to funding issues and changes in leadership.

Akinderu-Fatai highlighted Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s dedication to completing the project and his vision for a 21st-century Lagos.

The commissioner expressed optimism that Clusters 2 and 3 of the projects would be completed, adding 576 more homes.

He said, ‘As we hand over the keys to the new homeowners, we reaffirm our commitment to completing Clusters 2 and 3.

‘We will continue to work assiduously to overcome any challenges, ensuring that every promised units are delivered.

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‘This project is a clear indication that when we combine vision with dedication, the results are transformative.

‘May I, also add that Mr Governor, in his m
agnanimity has graciously approved that all existing subscribers with full payment for either a unit of two bedroom or three bedroom flat be given allocation from this very cluster at no additional fees to the selling price.

‘This is to appreciate their trust and commitment over-time in our dear state.’

He, however, said that other subscribers with more than 50 per cent commitment on the initial selling price would be considered with an option to balance up at the current selling price.

He added, ‘Please be informed that when the clusters two and three of the scheme is delivered in due course, there will be an additional 576 homes to the housing stock in the area, thus bringing us to the original vision of the project.’

Akinderu-Fatai urged the new homeowners to go beyond simply receiving their apartments, encouraging them to feel a sense of responsibility for the entire estate.

Also speaking, Sanwo-Olu, at the inauguration of the 270 home units, expressed delight for bringing these homes to reality.

Ac
cording to him, housing is the fundamental human rights and the cornerstone of social economic stability.

He expressed the resolve to make a significant investment to affordable housing to bridge the housing gap between the demand and the supply, pledging to partner with investors.

The governor urged the home owners to take proper care of the building, advising them not to do things that would endanger the lives of others.

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He thanked the ministry and contractors, promising to come soonest for the inauguration of the clusters two and three.

The journey of Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Scheme began in 2001, with the ambitious goal of delivering 846 housing units to sub-urban dwellers in the state.

However, due to funding issues, the project was abandoned and transferred to the Lagos Building Investment Corporation in 2006.

In spite of the significant interest and financial commitments from over 924 subscribers, the project stalled again and was take
n over by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure in 2013.

With very minimal progress recorded, the project was returned back to the Ministry of Housing in 2016 by former Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), says adherence to code of practice and use of standard materials are critical to attaining building construction sustainability in Nigeria.

Prof. Samson Duna, Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NBRRI, stated this at the presentation of the 2023 NBRRI Scorecard to stakeholders on Thursday in Abuja

Duna said the institute carried out a robust research on building collapse in Nigeria.and the outcomes were revealing, while far-reaching recommendations were made.

‘The investigation reveals that substandard materials, poor workmanship, poor supervision, lack of proper topography and soil investigation, absence of building or planning permit ,corruption ,inadequate designs are major factors of building collapse,’ he said.

The institute’s CEO appealed to construction industry workers to use materials that meet the standard specification in construction and follow the code of practice.

He said that the Code of Practice is a guide enabling profes
sionals in the construction sector to do the right thing as expected and not to cut corners.

Duna added that the code of practice covers construction areas like the labour, material, machines and manpower.

He added that, when construction workers adhere to the code of practice, the case of building collapse would be a thing of the past.

‘My advice and appeal to professionals in the construction industry is that they should adhere to the standard requirement for the use of any material in construction.

‘If you want to be sure that you are using quality materials like steel; you have to take it to the lab and test it to ensure that the material you are using meets the standard specification.

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‘If you are asked to produce a grade of 25 or a grade of 30, ensure that you use a mixed ratio that is standard to give you that specification of the required grade.

‘Most of our infrastructure does not last long because we hardly adhere to spec
ifications, ‘ he said.

Duna said that through the Institute’s intervention in conducting studies on building collapse, the incidence was declining.

He said that NBRRI as a research institute had come up with some of the best labs in the country, in measuring construction materials like cement, concrete, steel among others

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), says adherence to code of practice and use of standard materials are critical to attaining building construction sustainability in Nigeria.

Prof. Samson Duna, Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NBRRI, stated this at the presentation of the 2023 NBRRI Scorecard to stakeholders on Thursday in Abuja

Duna said the institute carried out a robust research on building collapse in Nigeria.and the outcomes were revealing, while far-reaching recommendations were made.

‘The investigation reveals that substandard materials, poor workmanship, poor supervision, lack of proper topography and soil investigation, absence of building or planning permit ,corruption ,inadequate designs are major factors of building collapse,’ he said.

The institute’s CEO appealed to construction industry workers to use materials that meet the standard specification in construction and follow the code of practice.

He said that the Code of Practice is a guide enabling profes
sionals in the construction sector to do the right thing as expected and not to cut corners.

Duna added that the code of practice covers construction areas like the labour, material, machines and manpower.

He added that, when construction workers adhere to the code of practice, the case of building collapse would be a thing of the past.

‘My advice and appeal to professionals in the construction industry is that they should adhere to the standard requirement for the use of any material in construction.

‘If you want to be sure that you are using quality materials like steel; you have to take it to the lab and test it to ensure that the material you are using meets the standard specification.

See also Ibadan taught me to turn everything into opportunity – Shettima

‘If you are asked to produce a grade of 25 or a grade of 30, ensure that you use a mixed ratio that is standard to give you that specification of the required grade.

‘Most of our infrastructure does not last long because we hardly adhere to spec
ifications, ‘ he said.

Duna said that through the Institute’s intervention in conducting studies on building collapse, the incidence was declining.

He said that NBRRI as a research institute had come up with some of the best labs in the country, in measuring construction materials like cement, concrete, steel among others

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improve the security situation in the country for the better.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, said this when the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Annika Hahn-Englund, led a delegation to pay him a courtesy visit on Thursday in Abuja.

‘We are gradually winning the war against terrorism and violent extremism going by the various measures put in place so far to tackle the menace headlong

‘Nigeria is the best-kept secret on global investment hence your investment is safe and secured in Nigeria.

‘We look forward to more mutually beneficial collaborations in areas such as economics, business and migration control’, the minister told his guests.

Tunji-Ojo commended the historic relationship between both countries, saying Nigeria’s trade volume with Sweden was now valued at $183 million.

He said that Sweden was one of Nigeria’s important trade partners.

‘We value our relationship with Sweden. Trade relationships from 1995 have been on
the increase from $29.6million. At the moment it is US $183m which is a 6.7% annual increase in terms of trade volume.

‘This shows that the collaboration and partnership are working because when your growth rate goes to about 6.97 per cent which is almost 7 per cent per annum, it shows that the relationship is working well’, he said.

The minister emphasised that the Federal Government was making efforts to ensure that the security situation of the country improved tremendously to stimulate more foreign investment and cooperation.

Earlier, Hahn-Englund said the purpose of her visit was to know more about the priorities of the Ministry of Interior, get updates on the security situation in Nigeria and discuss Swedish investments in Nigeria.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improve the security situation in the country for the better.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, said this when the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Annika Hahn-Englund, led a delegation to pay him a courtesy visit on Thursday in Abuja.

‘We are gradually winning the war against terrorism and violent extremism going by the various measures put in place so far to tackle the menace headlong

‘Nigeria is the best-kept secret on global investment hence your investment is safe and secured in Nigeria.

‘We look forward to more mutually beneficial collaborations in areas such as economics, business and migration control’, the minister told his guests.

Tunji-Ojo commended the historic relationship between both countries, saying Nigeria’s trade volume with Sweden was now valued at $183 million.

He said that Sweden was one of Nigeria’s important trade partners.

‘We value our relationship with Sweden. Trade relationships from 1995 have been on
the increase from $29.6million. At the moment it is US $183m which is a 6.7% annual increase in terms of trade volume.

‘This shows that the collaboration and partnership are working because when your growth rate goes to about 6.97 per cent which is almost 7 per cent per annum, it shows that the relationship is working well’, he said.

The minister emphasised that the Federal Government was making efforts to ensure that the security situation of the country improved tremendously to stimulate more foreign investment and cooperation.

Earlier, Hahn-Englund said the purpose of her visit was to know more about the priorities of the Ministry of Interior, get updates on the security situation in Nigeria and discuss Swedish investments in Nigeria.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Miss Oluwateniola Olowoporoku, an 11-year old pupil on Friday called for concerted efforts towards effective management of the nation’s natural resources.

She made the call in Abuja during sensitisation tagged ‘Head Girl Initiative Capacity Building’ which she organised in partnership with Springhall British Primary School Abuja.

An initiative with the theme: ‘Natural Resources Governance’, is meant to educate students on importance of protecting the nation’s natural resources.

‘Our school has always been a beacon of knowledge and leadership, and today we embark on a journey that reinforces our commitment to sustainability and responsible stewardship of our environment.

‘Nigeria is blessed with so many natural resources like trees, water, minerals, and even fresh air. They’re super important because they help us live our lives every day.

‘We use trees to make paper for our books, water to drink and grow food, and minerals to make things like cars and phones.

‘But here’s the thing, these resources aren’
t endless, that means we have to be careful about how we use them. And that’s where natural resource governance comes in”, she said.

Olowoporoku said the Head Girl initiative was aimed encouraging young persons’ participation in protecting God-given natural resources

Mrs Juliet Ukanwosu, Executive Director Extractive 360 in a presentation on, ‘All about Natural Resources in Nigeria’, urged more sensitisation of young persons on effective use of resources.

Ukanwosu explained that the knowledge the children had received in the course of the programme would go a long way to shape their adulthood and prepare them for desired leadership roles in the future.

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‘The amount of values and knowledge that we impact on them is what will shape the adult and the leaders that they will become tomorrow

‘So it’s important that we begin to catch them young and to imbibe in them the right values and the right knowledge as they grow,’ she said.

Mrs Etareri De
kpe, Olowoporoku’s mother, expressed gladness over daughter’s passion to share her knowledge with her peers and school mates.

‘Anything natural resources is my sector However, she is inquisitive about natural resources; their uses, among others.

‘She came up with the idea to also extend the knowledge to her school mates and I said why not, she created the whole road map for the initiative.

‘I just had to help her as her mother by sponsoring it,’ she said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria