The Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) has implored  the Federal Government to re-capitalise the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria to improve its capacity to deliver low and affordable houses.

The President of REDAN, Dr Aliyu Wamakko, who made the call in Enugu on Thursday in an address at the “AKULUEUNO 2021”,lamented  that the capacity of the bank to deliver on its mandates had been bedeviled with low capital standing.

He added:“The country is growing and the need for housing is expanding and the Federal Mortgage Bank needs to be re-capitalised to meet modern challenges and increase the need for housing now more than before”.

Wamakko also appealed to the National House of Assembly and the state houses of assemblies to pass the new Estate and Housing Development Bill put forward by stakeholders in the industry in order to check quackery and ensure standardisation of estate businesses, procedures and practices.

“This singular bill when passed will transform the way estate businesses, procedures and practices in the industry will be carried out in the federation as well as check quackery practitioners in the country,” he said.

Wamakko said that in line with REDAN’s mandate to develop affordable homes to Nigerians, the 6th executive of REDAN had come up with a National Housing Programme tagged: “Rural-Urban Housing Initiative (RUHI-774).

According to him, the scheme is to develop at least 100 affordable housing units in each of the 774 local government councils of the federation including the FCT where viable and feasible,” he said.

Speaking,the Executive Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Mr Melville Ebo, assured REDAN of the bank and Federal Government cooperation to ensure Nigerians own decent and affordable homes.

Ebo said that the bank was focused on low income earners in the society, who can at least contribute 2.5 per cent of their monthly earnings.

He said that the bank had housing development loans, which can be accessed by its contributors; the bank also had home renovation loans as well.

“The Federal Government is highly committed to provide low cost and affordable shelters for all Nigerians and it is doing this through various intervention programmes and partnerships,’’ he said.

Mr. Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Works and Housing,says  the Federal Government’s National Social Housing Programme,(NSHP) has created 54,720 jobs.

He disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the 15th edition of the Abuja International Housing Show with the theme: Sustainable and Resilient Housing Solutions for a Post Pandemic World.

He the national housing programme which started in 2016 has been able to generate 13,680 and 41,040 direct and indirect jobs.

Fashola said  that a total of  1,021 building contractors have been engaged under Phases 1and Il of the programme while 2,249 units have been completed in 34 states and Federal Capital Territory.

“A total of 1,021 Building Contractors have been engaged under Phases | and Il of the Programme since the inception in 2016 and 13,680 and 41,040 direct and indirect jobs have been generated. During this period, the Ministry has undertaken the construction of 4,694 housing units, out of which 2,249 units have been completed in 34 States and FCT with a total of 41 sites spread over the 34 States and FCT” he said.

Fashola stated that his ministry is promoting local content in line with the Executive Orders 3 and 5, adding that the use of available local building materials in the NHP has stimulated the nation’s economy. .

According to him, the overall economic value chain arising from the housing construction activities is mostly beneficial to the Nigerian youths who are directly involved in the physical production of the houses.

The daughter of former President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua, Mrs Zainab, has filed a legal action at the High Court of Federal Capital Territory against Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and three others over a disputed plot of land in Abuja.

 Mrs Zainab is seeking the sum of N500 million as general damages against the FCT Minister and other defendants.

She is equally asking the court to grant an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd defendants and their agents from laying claim to the property.

The claimant through her company, Marumza Estate Development Company Limited, is laying claim to ownership of plot 506, Cadastral Zone B09, Kado District, Abuja.

But the ownership claim was voided by the Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA upon discovery that the irrevocable power of attorney used to procure the land through alleged donation was forged, prompting her to file a suit to challenge the action.

Mrs Zainab, an ex wife of former Kebbi governor, Saidu Dakingari through her company, Marumza Estate Development Company Limited sued another Company, Itban Global Resources Limited, its founder, Halliru Saad Malami, FCT Minister and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) as 1st to 4th defendants respectively over the disputed land.

Mrs Zainab filed the suit through her counsel, Chief Sebastine Hon SAN.

She claimed that the  plot of land was donated to her through an irrevocable power of attorney executed at the Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA by Itban Global Resources Limited through a purchase.

In a writ of summons dated June 24, 2021, with suit number: CV/1270/2021, Ms Yar’Adua’s company, urged the court to order the 1st defendant, Itban, who had allegedly given an “irrevocable power of attorney” over the disputed property to surrender the land to her firm.

She added that having been issued with irrevocable power of attorney on the plot of land, Itban Global Resources Limited had transferred its interest in the land to her own company, Marumza Estate Development Company Limited.

The claimant urged the court to make an order compelling Itban Global Resources Limited, 1st defendant and its directors including Alhaji Malami (2nd defendant) to execute within 72 hours of the delivery of judgment on the matter, a “Deed of Assignment in favour of her company.

She further sought an order compelling the FCT Minister and the FCDA, to do all that is necessary to vest the legal ownership of the disputed property in her within 30 days from the delivery of the verdict.

However, in a counter-affidavit by Mr Malami and his company filed by their counsel Dr Remi Peter Olatubora SAN, they alleged that Ms Yar’Adua, using one Sani Rabo and others as “fronts,” unlawfully procured documents pertaining to the disputed property in the name of the 1st and 2nd defendants respectively.

Justice Olukayode Adeniyi declined granting an injunctive order against the defendants but instead ordered parties to move into the substantive matter.

He  held that request for injunctive order at the present stage of the suit would not only delay the hearing of the matter but will affect the substantive claims and counter claims in the case.

He ordered that status quo be maintained pending the resolution of issues in dispute.

 Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has commissioned its ultra-modern and smart Corporate Head Office ( Complex in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Head Office was commissioned by the Executive Governor of Rivers State,  Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (CON), at NLNG’s Amadi Ama location. As part of the commissioning, the governor was led on a tour immediately after the ribbon-cutting by the Chairman of  NLNG’s Board of Directors, Dr Edmund M. Daukoru, together with the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Tony Attah; Deputy Managing Director, Engr. Sadeeq Mai-Bornu, and other members of the Company’s Senior Management Team.

The Head Office is a four-story complex with cluster buildings occupying 76,000 square metres of land and equipped with one Board room, 121 office spaces, 51 meeting and huddle rooms, smart and ergonomic workstations, a library, a press centre and a creche. Other features of the office include a transit lounge for the Company’s jetty, a warehouse, a dedicated fire station, a gym, two banking halls, an ATM gallery, ample green area.

The governor had in 2015 flagged the construction of the building off at its ground-breaking ceremony.

At the commissioning, Governor Wike commended the NLNG management for taking a bold step towards strengthening its relationship with the people of Rivers State.

 He stated that NLNG’s presence in Port Harcourt City spoke volumes of the  company’s respect for Rivers State people.

He added that the decision by the company to construct its head office in the state showed that Rivers State is safe for business.

“I am here because NLNG has show a lot of commitment and support for the host communities and the state. The company has done well and has set an example for other companies to emulate. I am happy with what the company has done for the host communities during the construction of the building. That is what is expected. It has a very good relationship with its hosts in Bonny and in other parts of the state and I believe it will continue to enjoy a hitch-free business in the state,” Governor Wike said.

According to Engr. Attah, the company’s Managing Director, the building and commissioning of the corporate head office, was in line with its vision of being a global LNG company, helping to build a better Nigeria.

He added that the Corporate Head Office has made the Company more visible, adding that the office was an unequivocal statement that NLNG remains a committed partner to the people of Rivers State in the sustainable development of the state.

“Nigeria LNG’s resolve to relocate its corporate head office from Lagos where it was established from inception of its operation was a well thought out decision that, among other things, demonstrates our strong bond of friendship with Port Harcourt and Rivers State even as we reinforce our commitment to stand tall as a Nigerian brand in the global marketplace. By this action, we also attest that Rivers State is not just the ‘Treasure Base of the Nation’ but the home of uncommon hospitality which we have come to enjoy and reciprocate at every opportunity.

“Beyond building a head office for our business, the beautification of this once remote locality was also in our hearts when we started this project. Earlier in August 2018, we had opened a part of this complex – an ultra-modern Transit Lounge – to enable a smooth and comfortable sail between our operating base on Bonny Island and the state capital.

“The construction of the facility was actually our first major step at transforming the shoreline, and since then we have intensified our usual efforts at making the creek a viable waterway for meaningful human activities. Today, we can pride ourselves, even if modestly, as a beacon of modernity in this axis of Port Harcourt. But equally important, we hope that our presence will trigger positive developments in real estate and ancillary businesses in the area.

“The commissioning of this complex is coming at such an auspicious time in the life of Nigeria LNG, a time when we have astutely proven our self as an excellent and reliable player in the global LNG market with 20 years record and still counting. Our doggedness towards achieving even more success in both the international market and the domestic energy sector has prompted the commencement of our Train 7 project which has been avidly socialized among all critical stakeholders,” he said.

He stated that one of the signs of the Company’s commitment to the people of Rivers State in the sustainable development of the state is the N120bn Bonny-Bodo Road, which NLNG is partly funding. He added that some progress has been achieved in one of the most significant CSR initiatives by any single entity in the country and that the 40-kilometre road would boost economic activities and ultimately better the lives of the thousands of Nigerians in Rivers State.

 Abdullahi Sule, the governor of Nasarawa State Government has signed a  Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Family Homes Fund (FHF) and Federal Mortgage Bank to build 2, 000 houses worth N11 billion  for civil servants in the state.

At the signing ceremony in Lafia,Governor Sule said the agreement was part of the cardinal objectives of his government as captured in the Nasarawa State Economic Development Strategies (NEDS).

He said provision of housing was one of the cardinal objectives of  his administration to change the fortunes  of civil servants in  the state.

He  explained that houses  would be provided for servants earning below N100, 000 monthly.

He added:” The agreement would create wealth, employment opportunity, create development, boost economic activities in the state as well as provide homes for the less privilege.When the work on the housing project commence, it would provide employment for over 20, 000 youths, thereby taking them off the streets.This would also help in addressing youth restiveness in the state given the insecurity,” the Governor added

He also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for initiating the idea to care for the less privilege by providing housing for them to call their homes.

In his remarks, Femi Adewale, Managing Director (MD) Family Homes Fund commended  the state government for the partnership and promised that  the initiative  would  make workers  proud house owners.

The MD of FHF said the signing of the agreement is a landmark achievement to them, as it would give them the opportunity to help toward providing houses for low and medium income eanelrs thereby improving the quality of their lives.

He said their company would invest N6 billion at the initial stage and invest another N5 billion as the project progresses.

 Ahmed Danjuma, the  Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank, represented by Oladepo Fakeye, Group Head Strategy, said the bank has been partnering Nasarawa state government on housing projects in recent years.

He added that  beneficiaries of the houses are expected to contribute 2.5percent  of their monthly salary,while they have up to thirty years to pay for the house with interest rate of six per cent.

 Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu,has  flagged-off the construction of the New Massey Children’s Hospital, which is expected to be the largest in West Africa when completed and the reconstruction of three strategic roads, including Adeniji Adele, Oke Popo and Tapa Streets.

Speaking at the event in Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu said that the projects are an integral part of the Greater Lagos Vision and present another unique opportunity to advance the cause of the state and improve the overall wellbeing of the citizens

According to him, “The construction of the New Massey Children’s Hospital reflects our unwavering determination to bridge all gaps in the health sector while the reconstruction of three major roads on Lagos Island demonstrates this administration’s commitment to an inclusive and non-discriminatory developmental agenda for Lagos State.”

The governor noted that both projects affirm the administration’s commitment to the social contract it signed with Lagosians on May 29, 2019.

He promised that the government would continue to seek new opportunities to respond to the infrastructure needs of Lagosians, adding that his “Government is driven by the desire to build a formidable and equitable state with productive and healthy residents.”

He said: “As a responsive government, we identified the inadequacy of Massey Children’s Hospital to continue to meet the needs of a megacity with a population of 22 million people.

He noted that due to the steady and increasing number of patients who daily throng the hospital to access medical services, the capacity has been overstretched and needed urgent upgrade to provide quality service to patients.

He said that the administration, being “guided by the Second Pillar of our T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, which encompasses Health and the Environment, we are rebuilding, remodeling and repositioning the Massey Children’s Hospital into a seven-storey, 150-bed, ultra Modern and fit-for-purpose Paediatrics Programmed and Emergency General Hospital.”

Sanwo-Olu noted that on completion, the hospital will provide secondary integrated care services and acute care to both inpatients and outpatients in line with international best practices.

He added that the Adeniji Adele, Oke Popo and Tapa Streets are being reconstructed as part of the Lagos Island Area North Action Plan, a regeneration project being handled by an Inter-Ministerial Committee comprising the Ministries of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Works and Infrastructure, Environment and Water Resources.

According to him, “The choice of the reconstruction and upgrade of Adeniji Adele and Oke Popo/ Tapa Streets to kick-start Phase 1 of the Regeneration Plan was informed by two factors. The first factor is the economic importance of these roads and the high level of traffic they convey while the second factor is the complementary value these roads will add to the New Massey Children’s Hospital.”

 He said that when completed, the newly upgraded roads will improve road connectivity, unlock the perennial traffic gridlock in the area with resultant reduction in travel time, eliminate the perennial flooding often experienced in this area, enhance property values and further improve business and economic activities on Lagos Island.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said his administration delivered 51 iconic projects in the last years in Lagos

Aramide Adeyoye, his Special

Adviser on Works and Infrastructure,

disclosed this on Tuesday  at the Annual Ministerial Press Briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, to mark the second year anniversary of the Sanwo-Olu administration.

She  explained that the need to unlock traffic gridlocks in major economic, commercial and residential areas, as well as improve travel time necessitated the construction of these roads, adding that these will ensure stress-free

commuting, make life more meaningful for the people and ensure connectivity within the various communities in the state.

She listed of some of the roads as Pen-Cinema Fly-Over, ramp and road words, Lagos Ogun Boundary roads Phase II, Lekki Oniru Traffic Circulation Projects, network of 31 roads in Ojokoro, Aradagun-Epeme-Iworo-Ajido and Somolu network of roads, among others..

She explained that in addition to the completed projects, several projects are already flagged-off and are under construction/upgrading to further ensure linkage of different parts of the state together. Some of the roads, according to her,  include Oba Sekunmade road, Agric Isawo Road, St. Finbarrs and Iwaya roads, Lekki-Epe Expressway from Eleko Junction to Epe T Junction and also Lekki Regional Road Project.