News
Sanwo-Olu’s Policy On Housing Will Avert Building Collapse In Lagos – Aide
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
As part of measures aimed at curbing the reoccurring cases of building collapses in Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has given a 3-month window assessment in the early part of the 1st Quarter of his Administration to the public in order to ensure integrity test for building as well as for approval in the state.
Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Housing, Hon. Abdul-Akeem Ayodeji Amodu, while speaking on the sideline of the inaugural lecture ceremony of the 26th President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) held at the State House in Abuja stated that the 3-month window seek to find out whether the Properties already built are under pipeline, Sewage tanks and Tracks, or on the drainage area, or make the building are not even aligning with the building
codes, or not aligning with the master plan of the state.
Amodu explained that Governor Sanwo-Olu has however given the opportunity to the public to apply for their building plans approval and documentation, to make sure that their properties are duly titled adding that many estates in Lagos have no building Plan approval.
“So what Mr. Governor has done, in essence, is for individual and property owners or Groups should come up with their
documents, come up with your As-Built Plan.
The Commissioner of Physical Planning in Lagos State in the recent past has come up
with this idea through the policies of advice to the government . The Government & Ministries were shocked to discover that there are so many estates, so many homes in Lagos that don’t have
building Plan approval.
” Some don’t even have Architectural building plans, they don’t follow the building code,
So what we’ve done as Government is to allow people to engage Professionals like Architects, Town Planners, Estate Surveyors & Valuers, Engineers to assist them to come up with a document, even if you have built your House,
get an architect, let them design for you a proper As Built building plan. Then you come up to the
state to present it, because the Truth is that Governor Sanwo-Olu’s government is a people’s government. We don’t want to
come and start breaking homes or Bringing Buildings Down without Advocacy. The Government does not want to start making people homeless, because we need these
people.
“They’ll do the normal integrity
test on your building to ensure that the property is actually standing well on a solid
structure, so that you don’t, jave a defective building in future, after getting that approval, the building collapses”
Meanwhile, Amodu noted that in a bid to curb housing deficit in Nigeria, Lagos State has begun the development of housing projects in all the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the state both on Public-Private partnerships (PPP) Joint Venture (JV) and Government Allocated resources Model.
He explained that the governor recently commissioned about 360 housing units of one, two bedrooms, and three bedrooms in different clusters which was hitherto abandoned in the state adding that the governor also commissioned 144 units of one, two and three
bedrooms as well as another 60 units of three-bedroom blocks of apartments in
Amuwo Odofin local government area 3 weeks ago.
We also still have on-going Project embarked upon by The Ministry of Housing,
LSDPC, LBIC and a host of other Government Real Estate Partnerships with the Government to be Commissioned soon by Mr Sellable. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s to realise his Administration s THEME+ Agenda for the State.
Amodu further assured that development will be even in the state as affordable housing scheme has also been made available for the masses to meet the demand of housing deficit in the state.
“We
are still making sure that we develop homes for the masses, we have a scheme
called the LAGSHOMS SCHEME which is A Rent- To – Own which is like pay-as-you-earn scheme, which is been Supported through the Lagos Mortgage Board for the
Lagoshoms where you pay 5% of the total cost and value of
that property.
“And every other amount of that property will be spread around for you to lpay within the
space of about 10 years. So it’s a way of bringing development to the people and residents of Lagos, by giving comfort to the less
privileged, to the working class, and to the Non-Structured Sector of the state.” He added.
Speaking on the inaugural lecture and Investiture Ceremony of the 26th President of The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers which was well attended by major stakeholders in Government,Legislature, and Captain of Industry in the built Sector and Environment, Amodu emphasized the symbiotic relationship between NIESV and Lagos State Government as cordial adding that governor Sanwo-olu is poised at ensuring professionals must take charge and full responsibility in a Professional manner of Real Estate Activities & events in the built industry as well as he also encourage and Admonished other Professionals by saying it is a Clarion Call to all other professional Bodies to embrace Professionalism so as to Deliver the Good for the Benefit of Lagos amd Nigeria’s Development as Whole.
News
Immigration raises alarm over high number of irregular migration in Nigeria
The Edo State Controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Martins Moye, has raised the alarm over the increasing number of irregular migrants entering Nigeria.
Moye raised the alarm at the 2024 Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, enlightenment campaign against irregular migration in Benin, Edo State capital.
He underscored the need for public awareness to curb irregular migration.
A facilitator from NIS headquarters in Abuja, David Amanahu, highlighted Edo State’s historical role in irregular migration.
According to him, due to recent efforts by the Edo State Command, the state has improved in the national ranking on irregular migration.
“The positive news is that Edo State is no longer ranked number one in irregular migration.
“Credit goes to the dedicated team in Edo who worked tirelessly to improve the situation,” Amanahu stated.
Amanahu, while delivering a message from the Controller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, noted that the NIS is now more focused than ever on border management and migration issues.
News
Boundary disputes responsible for insecurity in coastal states – Oborevwori
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has said that boundary disputes were also responsible for the rising spate of insecurity, deaths, violence and retarded progress in the country.
The governor stated this while addressing an audience at a one-day workshop for the creation of a platform for Nigeria’s coastal states and local government areas, held at the Government House, Asaba.
The workshop has the theme, “Towards a Secure, Peaceful and Prosperous Borders,” the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
There are many crises in the country over border issues, with Delta State having its fair share.
The boundary crisis between the Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area and the Okoloba community in the Bomadi Local Government Area, which had claimed many lives, is being resolved by the government.
Speaking at the workshop, the governor said so many lives had been lost to boundary disputes as he called on the National Boundary Commission and other stakeholders to work assiduously in resolving such disputes in the country.
He described the theme as apt, adding that boundary dispute was an ancient and modern disease of humanity.
He said right from the colonial days, Nigeria had been plagued by boundary disputes, which had disastrous and destabilising consequences for the people.
“There is scarcely any state in Nigeria that has not been involved in a boundary dispute with its neighbours, which often results in displacement, death, and destruction.
“Reports indicate that between January 2018 and August 2022; 676 people were killed in various communal and boundary clashes in Nigeria.
“The causes of these disputes are traceable to land ownership, community pride, ancient or colonial boundaries, and socio-cultural factors.
“In Delta State, it is safe to say that at least 80 per cent of boundary disputes revolve around land use, either for farming, mining, and other purposes of economic significance.
“The resultant clashes often leave in their trail a chunk of internally displaced persons with the implication this has for their safety and wellbeing.
“As we all know, the living conditions in IDP camps are unsanitary and inevitably constitute environmental hazards,” he said.
Oborevwori charged the National Boundary Commission to work harder in resolving boundary disputes across the country.
“As the body responsible for resolving boundary disputes in Nigeria, the National Boundary Commission is critical to the peace, security, and prosperity of our communities.
“It is incumbent on it to embark on enlightenment and sensitisation programmes to educate the people on the importance of respecting boundaries.
“It must also properly investigate cases of boundary disputes. In discharging this vital responsibility, officials of the Commission must demonstrate the highest levels of objectivity, neutrality, and integrity to instil confidence and elicit the goodwill of the people.
“Conversations break down fast once there is a perception of favouritism or nepotism on the part of those who are supposed to be impartial arbiters,” he said.
He added, “It goes without saying that an effective conflict resolution mechanism is critical for maintaining national security.
“Hence, there is a need for strong political will on the part of the government to implement recommendations that will resolve disputes amicably, and prevent future border disputes.
“With enhanced peace and security at the core of our MORE agenda, we are committed to partnering with the Commission to discharge its functions effectively for a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.”
In his welcome remarks, the Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, expressed delight that the African Union Border Governance Strategy would look into good border governance and the attainment of sustainable development.
Onyeme, who doubles as the Chairman of the State Boundary Commission, urged the African Union to sustain the tempo to ensure the harmonisation of all grey areas along the boundary communities.
He observed that the European colonisers arbitrarily, without due regard to the ethnic homogeneity of many African groups, forced Africans to belong to different nations, while diverse heterogeneous communities were hurriedly bundled into a single nation with distinct boundaries.
On their part, the deputy governors of Bayelsa and Rivers states, Lawrence Egwhrudjakpor and Prof Ngozi Odu, respectively, called on relevant authorities to discuss boundary issues often, to enthrone peace in the country.
Earlier, the Director-General of the National Boundaries Commission, Mr Adamu Adaji, said the workshop was primarily designed to engage Nigeria’s coastal states, local government areas and traditional rulers on effective border governance in Nigeria.
The NAN reports that stakeholders, including some traditional rulers from the South-West and South-South states, attended the event.
News
Obaseki embarks on post-tenure medical vacation
The immediate-past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has proceeded on vacation.
This is for him to rest and undergo a medical check-up, after a successful two-term as governor of the state.
This was disclosed in a statement by his media adviser, Crusoe Osagie, on Wednesday.
The former governor completed his two-term administration on November 11, 2024, and a new governor, Monday Okpebholo, was sworn in on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
Osagie said, “Following the completion of his second term, a former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has proceeded on vacation to rest and undergo a medical check-up.
“Obaseki, once again, expressed his appreciation to God Almighty, the people of Edo State and Nigeria for the opportunity to serve.
“He urged all Edo people both at home and in the diaspora to continue to be hopeful and pray for the peace, progress and prosperity of our state and Nigeria.”
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