The commissioner made this known on Tuesday during a ministerial briefing to mark the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term. He noted that the state’s investments in housing have continued to yield both infrastructural and economic dividends.

“In the last six years, activities within the housing sector created around 13,749 jobs across Lagos,” Akinderu-Fatai stated. “These roles cut across skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled categories, with 2024 alone accounting for 5,287 new employment opportunities.”

He also revealed that as of December 2024, the state’s housing projects had positively impacted 28,507 households, demonstrating the broad reach of government-led development efforts.

To ensure consistent quality across construction sites, the Ministry has prioritized the upskilling of artisans in the building sector. Over 500 individuals benefited from the “Master Craftsman Training Programme,” a six-week technical capacity-building initiative conducted in partnership with the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Board and endorsed by the Nigerian Institute of Building.

Courses offered included masonry, plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, and painting. Participants received not only training but also certification, starter kits, and work gear. The Ministry also worked with contractors and partners to ensure these trained professionals are integrated into ongoing and future projects.

On enforcement and recovery efforts, Akinderu-Fatai disclosed that the ministry had facilitated the recovery of N295.47 million and reclaimed 20 properties through its dispute resolution mechanism.

He explained that the state’s real estate regulatory agency has handled a total of 1,899 property-related disputes to date. Of these, 1,580 cases were subjected to mediation, with 1,243 resolved amicably. A further 23 are pending additional sessions, while 147 were abandoned due to non-attendance by the parties involved. Another 172 cases were redirected to relevant agencies, and eight matters are currently in various courts—including Federal, State, and Magistrate levels.

The commissioner emphasized the importance of the agency’s use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to address real estate conflicts efficiently before escalating issues to law enforcement for further action.

The post Lagos Housing Projects Created Over 5,000 Jobs in 2024 – Commissioner appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Former President of the Nigeria Institute of Structural Engineers (NISE), Victor Oyenuga, identified the proliferation of inferior materials as a significant contributor to the alarming frequency of building collapses across the country.

Statistics reveal that between 1970 and 2020, Nigeria recorded 12 major building collapse disasters, ranking it among countries like India, China, and Egypt that have grappled with similar crises. While factors such as unprofessional practices, inadequate oversight, and unethical behavior among industry professionals play a role, the use of substandard materials has been pinpointed as a root cause of these tragedies.

Oyenuga emphasized that the lack of government monitoring and enforcement has allowed the unchecked production and sale of these materials to thrive. He noted that manufacturers who adhere to quality standards are often undercut by producers offering cheaper, subpar alternatives, leaving developers to prioritize cost over safety.

“The government needs to set clear guidelines for manufacturers, especially for critical materials like steel and blocks, and enforce these standards rigorously. Regular inspections must be conducted at production sites, and when materials are found to be below standard, those sites should be shut down. Only then will we begin to see a shift toward quality and safety,” Oyenuga remarked.

He also highlighted the long-term financial impact of using inferior materials. “Building with substandard materials is a false economy. You save money upfront, but when the structure collapses, you lose even more in rebuilding costs, not to mention the potential loss of lives. It’s simply not worth the risk,” he stated.

Architect Wasiu Olalekan painted an even grimmer picture, citing widespread issues with key materials like iron rods and cement. He explained that many iron rods sold as 12mm in diameter fail to meet that measurement, and the quality of cement has deteriorated due to improper mixing ratios. According to Olalekan, some developers knowingly use these materials to cut costs, further exacerbating the problem.

“This is a systemic issue in our industry. Developers often prioritize profit over quality, and even buyers of pre-built homes face uncertainties about the materials used during construction. Without stricter oversight and accountability, this problem will persist,” Olalekan warned.

He commended states that require developers to sign undertakings before commencing construction, noting that such measures could encourage adherence to standards. However, he stressed the need for broader enforcement mechanisms across the country.

Engr. Nasiru Dantata, former president of the Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI), reassured that projects handled by FOCI member companies meet high standards. He praised the cement industry for maintaining quality but pointed out that improper use of materials by developers often undermines these efforts.

“Even with high-quality materials available, the issue lies in their application. For instance, if a developer uses less cement than required in the mix, the building may stand initially but will not withstand the test of time,” Dantata explained.

He urged the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) to intensify its monitoring and enforcement efforts, stressing that stricter regulation is crucial for the sector. Dantata called for the construction industry to be policed with the same vigor as vehicle administration and road safety, as the stakes are equally high.

Experts agree that addressing the menace of substandard building materials will require coordinated efforts from government agencies, industry regulators, and developers. Without immediate action, Nigeria risks further tragedies and setbacks in its construction sector, endangering lives and undermining public trust. The time for accountability and reform is now.

The post Building Collapse Crisis: Experts Sound Alarm on Substandard Materials in Nigeria appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

International consumers failed to remit approximately $51.26 million to Nigeria for electricity exported in 2023, according to the latest industry data released by the Federal Government.

The data also revealed that another group of customers classified as bilateral power consumers did not remit about N7.61 billion to the Nigerian power sector in the same period.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) condemned this, describing it as a payment indiscipline that must be curtailed by the Market Operator, a division of the Transmission Company of Nigeria responsible for Nigeria’s power exports.

Analysis of the data indicated that international consumers failed to remit $16.11 million, $11.97 million, $11.16 million, and $12.02 million to Nigeria for electricity exported to them in the first, second, third, and fourth quarters of 2023 respectively.

Similarly, bilateral consumers did not pay N827 million, N2.03 billion, N2.8 billion, and N1.95 billion to the Nigerian government for electricity sold to them in the same quarters.

Although Nigeria faces challenges in meeting its domestic electricity demand, it exports electricity based on strategic agreements with neighboring countries such as Niger, Togo, and Benin.

READ ALSO: Electricity Consumers in South-East Nigeria Plan Protest Against Poor Service and Billing Practices

NERC expressed concern over the non-remittance by special and cross-border customers, stating that “None of the under-listed international customers made any payment against the cumulative $16.11 million invoice issued to them in 2023/Q1.”

The commission urged the Market Operator to enforce market rules to curb the payment indiscipline by various market participants, highlighting that the non-remittance by bilateral consumers continues a trend seen in past quarterly reports.

International consumers, including Paras-SBEE and Transcorp-SBEE from Benin, Mainstream-NIGELEC from Niger, and Odukpani-CEET from Togo, have been identified as defaulters in these payments.

READ ALSO: Tinubu signs Electricity Act amendment bill into law

In subsequent quarters, the remittance by special and cross-border customers remained poor, with only a few payments made against issued invoices.

The commission emphasized the need for all customers to meet their payment obligations, especially in light of Nigeria’s power supply challenges.

The post Bilateral Power Consumers Owe Nigeria N7.61 Billion in Unpaid Electricity Bills appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Justice Yellim Bogoro granted the order on Thursday, May 23, 2024, following an ex-parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel Bilkisu Buhari.

The forfeited funds were reportedly held in First Bank, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank accounts managed by individuals and entities including Omoile Anita Joy, Deep Blue Energy Service Limited, Exactquote Bureau De Change Ltd, Lipam Investment Services Limited, Tatler Services Limited, Rosajul Global Resources Ltd, and TIL Communication Nigeria Ltd.

Properties affected by the interim forfeiture include an 11-floor building under construction in Ikoyi, AM Plaza in Lekki, Imore Industrial Park in Amuwo Odofin, Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse near Elemoro, and two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria located in Lakes Estate, Lekki. Additional properties include a plot at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, an estate in Texas, land in Lekki Phase 1, and a property in Ikoyi.

READ ALSO: EFCC Cracks Down on Dollar Transactions by Foreign Missions, Mandates Naira Use

The EFCC cited Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and Section 44(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution in its application, seeking the interim forfeiture on the grounds that the funds and properties are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Justice Bogoro, finding merit in the EFCC’s application, ordered the interim forfeiture and mandated the publication of the order in a national newspaper. This notice invites interested parties to show cause within 14 days why a final forfeiture order should not be granted. The case is adjourned to July 2 for the motion for final forfeiture.

“The applicant should publish this order in any daily newspaper circulating all over the federation for anybody interested to show cause why the final order of forfeiture should not be made,” Justice Bogoro stated.

The post Federal High Court Seizes Millions and Properties Tied to Former CBN Governor Emefiele appeared first on Housing TV Africa.