A fire broke out at SPAR Calabar Mall in Cross River State on Saturday morning, August 22, 2026. The incident reportedly followed an explosion at the shopping complex.

Thick smoke rose from the mall as emergency efforts began. The fire also caused panic among people around the area.

Explosion Reportedly Triggered Fire

Early reports linked the fire to what some people described as a minor gas or fuel explosion. However, authorities have not confirmed the cause of the incident.

Videos and photographs from the scene showed flames affecting part of the mall. People also gathered outside the complex as emergency teams worked to control the fire.

The exact point where the fire started remains unclear. Authorities are expected to examine the site as part of efforts to establish what caused the reported explosion.

Extent of Damage Remains Unknown

The full extent of the damage was not immediately clear. It was also not known how many shops, facilities or goods the fire may have affected.

There were no confirmed reports of deaths or injuries as of the time of filing this report. Officials have yet to provide a full account of the incident.

The situation also raised concerns among businesses operating within the shopping complex. A major fire can disrupt commercial activity and cause losses for retailers, property owners and other businesses.

Fire Safety and Commercial Buildings

The incident highlights the importance of fire safety in large commercial properties. Shopping malls often receive large numbers of visitors each day. They therefore require reliable fire detection and emergency systems.

Building owners and facility managers must keep fire alarms, extinguishers, emergency exits and other safety systems in good working order. Regular inspections can also help identify risks before they become serious incidents.

Fire safety also matters during the design and construction of commercial buildings. Developers must consider safe evacuation routes and other measures that can protect people during emergencies.

Implications for Real Estate and Infrastructure

The fire also brings attention to the wider issue of safety in Nigeria’s commercial real estate sector. Modern retail centres form an important part of urban infrastructure. Their safety can affect businesses, workers, shoppers and surrounding communities.

Property managers also play an important role after construction. They must maintain safety equipment and ensure that staff understand emergency procedures.

For developers and investors, building safety remains an important part of responsible property management. Strong safety systems can help protect lives, property and business operations.

Investigation Expected

Authorities are expected to investigate the reported explosion and fire at SPAR Calabar Mall. The investigation should help establish the cause of the incident and determine the extent of the damage.

Further details are expected as emergency agencies and relevant authorities assess the affected facility.

The incident serves as a reminder that fire prevention and emergency preparedness remain important parts of managing commercial buildings. Strong safety measures can help reduce risks and protect people and property when emergencies occur.

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The growing destruction of public infrastructure by scavengers has raised fresh concerns over the safety and durability of critical facilities in Lagos, with residents calling for urgent government intervention.

The concern follows reports of vandalism at the Alakija-Festac link bridge, where individuals suspected to be scavengers allegedly removed parts of the structure’s metal reinforcement after breaking through its concrete covering.

The incident has renewed attention on the damage caused by the illegal removal of metals from public infrastructure. Residents fear that continued interference with structural components could compromise facilities designed to serve thousands of people.

Drainage infrastructure also targeted

The problem extends beyond bridges.

Vanguard reported an earlier incident in an upscale estate in Alimosho, where scavengers removed six sets of metal gutter covers from a drainage system in the early hours of the morning.

The missing covers created a dangerous opening in front of a residential property. One resident subsequently drove into the uncovered drainage channel and reportedly spent more than ₦500,000 repairing his vehicle. The incident occurred in January 2024.

The incident illustrates how the theft of seemingly minor infrastructure components can quickly create safety risks for residents and motorists.

Bridge vandalism raises bigger concerns

The recent damage to the Alakija-Festac link bridge has generated even greater concern because of the structural role played by its reinforcement.

According to the report, scavengers allegedly broke through sections of concrete surrounding the bridge’s pillars and removed exposed iron reinforcement.

The report also said portions of the laterite piling beneath the bridge had been dug into, creating additional concerns about the condition of the structure.

The situation prompted Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to inspect the affected location after videos of the damage circulated online.

The governor ordered efforts to identify those responsible for the alleged vandalism and described the destruction of public infrastructure as a serious concern.

Why infrastructure vandalism matters to housing

Infrastructure vandalism is not only a transportation or security issue. It has direct consequences for the built environment.

Roads, bridges, drainage systems, street lighting, water infrastructure and other public facilities form the foundation on which communities function.

When these facilities are damaged or removed, residents can face increased safety risks, flooding, higher maintenance costs and reduced access to essential services.

For property owners, deteriorating infrastructure can also affect the attractiveness and value of surrounding neighbourhoods.

The removal of drainage covers, for example, can expose residents to accidents while also contributing to poor drainage conditions when damaged infrastructure is not promptly restored.

The economic cost

Public infrastructure represents significant investment by government and taxpayers.

When components are stolen or damaged, authorities must spend additional resources on repairs and replacement rather than directing those funds towards new infrastructure or community development.

The problem therefore creates a cycle in which government spends money building infrastructure, criminals dismantle parts of it for scrap, and public funds are subsequently required to restore the damaged facilities.

Enforcement and scrap-metal regulation

The incidents also raise questions about the scrap-metal trade and the channels through which stolen public infrastructure enters the market.

A stronger system for monitoring scrap-metal dealers, identifying stolen infrastructure components and enforcing penalties for vandalism could help reduce the incentive to target public facilities.

At the same time, authorities need to address the economic conditions that push some people into informal scavenging while maintaining clear boundaries between legitimate recycling activities and the destruction of public assets.

For Lagos and other rapidly growing Nigerian cities, protecting existing infrastructure is becoming just as important as building new facilities.

As urban populations increase and infrastructure comes under greater pressure, unchecked vandalism could undermine the safety, functionality and economic value of entire communities.

The challenge for government is therefore twofold: build infrastructure that meets growing demand and protect what has already been built.

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HDAN Commends Wike as Infrastructure Development Transforms FCT Real Estate

Says massive investment in roads and public infrastructure is unlocking new opportunities for housing, investment and economic growth

By Housing TV Africa

The Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), Africa’s leading and pioneering non-governmental advocacy organisation dedicated to housing development, has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, for what it described as the unprecedented pace of infrastructure development across the nation’s capital, noting that the projects are already reshaping the real estate landscape and opening up new frontiers for housing and investment.

HDAN has, for decades, championed policy reforms, affordable housing initiatives, housing finance, land reforms, real estate regulation and sustainable urban development across Africa. Through sustained advocacy, strategic partnerships and high-level stakeholder engagement, the organisation has made significant contributions to advancing housing development in Nigeria and across the continent, earning recognition as one of Africa’s foremost voices on housing policy and sector reforms.

In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Festus Adebayo, HDAN said that strategic investments in roads, bridges, interchanges and other critical infrastructure have become one of the strongest catalysts for real estate growth in the FCT, significantly increasing land values, attracting private sector investment and accelerating urban expansion.

According to Adebayo, one of the greatest lessons from successful cities around the world is that infrastructure drives real estate development.

“Where roads go, development follows. Where government provides quality infrastructure, investors naturally move in. Housing estates spring up, businesses expand, jobs are created and property values appreciate. This is exactly what we are witnessing today in many parts of the Federal Capital Territory.”

HDAN observed that communities that were once regarded as distant or unattractive to investors are rapidly emerging as prime residential and commercial destinations because of improved accessibility and government investment in infrastructure.

The Network noted that ongoing road construction and expansion projects are unlocking the economic potential of several districts and satellite communities, encouraging developers to embark on new housing projects while giving confidence to financial institutions, mortgage providers and other investors.

According to HDAN, infrastructure development remains one of the most effective government interventions for reducing the cost of housing delivery. Improved road access, drainage systems and other public facilities lower development costs, shorten project timelines and make it easier for developers to deliver quality housing to Nigerians.

The organisation further stated that beyond real estate, infrastructure investment stimulates economic activities across multiple sectors, including construction, manufacturing, transportation, hospitality, retail, financial services and professional consultancy, thereby creating thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities.

HDAN urged the FCT Administration to sustain the current momentum by extending infrastructure to more satellite towns and emerging districts, stressing that balanced development across the territory would help reduce pressure on the city centre while making affordable housing more accessible to low- and middle-income earners.

The Network also encouraged stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to maximise the benefits of infrastructure investment through planned urban expansion, serviced land development and increased private participation in housing delivery.

Adebayo emphasised that Nigeria’s housing challenge cannot be solved through mortgage finance alone.

“Access to infrastructure is just as important as access to finance. A plot of land without roads, electricity, drainage and water has limited value. But once government provides infrastructure, that same land becomes attractive for housing, commerce and industry. Infrastructure is the foundation upon which sustainable cities are built.”

He added that the remarkable transformation taking place across the FCT demonstrates the importance of visionary infrastructure investment in driving economic growth, improving the quality of life of residents and strengthening investor confidence in Nigeria’s real estate sector.

HDAN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policies and initiatives that promote sustainable urban development, affordable housing and responsible real estate growth, while calling on other state governments across Nigeria to emulate the FCT by making infrastructure development a central pillar of their housing and economic development strategies.

“The transformation we are witnessing in Abuja is a powerful reminder that strategic investment in infrastructure is one of the fastest ways to stimulate real estate development, create wealth, attract investment and improve the living standards of the people. We commend the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, for this bold approach and encourage the sustained execution of projects that will continue to unlock the enormous economic potential of the Federal Capital Territory.”

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Residents of Agbado, Abule Ijoko, Itoki, Ope-Ilu and other neighbouring communities in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State have decried the worsening condition of roads in the area, describing the situation as a major source of hardship, insecurity and economic losses.

The residents, who spoke during a visit to the communities on Tuesday, said the roads had remained in deplorable condition for more than 15 years despite repeated appeals to successive administrations.

A visit to the area revealed that the approximately 13-kilometre stretch linking Agbado Oja to Abule Ijoko has largely collapsed, with several sections rendered impassable by deep potholes, erosion and overgrown vegetation.

One of the residents, Waheed Sanyaolu, said the poor state of the road has isolated the communities and negatively affected residents’ daily activities.

“We are suffering and feel completely cut off from civilisation. We have made several appeals to the government without any meaningful response. The only intervention we witnessed was during the administration of former Governor Ibikunle Amosun, but it did not bring lasting relief,” he said.

Motorists and commuters were seen struggling to navigate waterlogged sections of the road, while several vehicles and motorcycles broke down due to the deteriorating condition of the route.

Another resident noted that flooding during the rainy season has further worsened the situation.

“Travelling from Agbado Crossing to Abule Ijoko should take about 10 minutes, but the road has become almost unusable except by motorcycle. Even motorcyclists now resort to alternative inner routes through Gasline, Oluasho and Oyetedo before reconnecting to the main road,” he said.

Rising Insecurity

Residents also expressed concern over increasing insecurity, blaming the poor road network for frequent attacks by hoodlums, particularly at night.

According to Olatunji, a resident, commuters and commercial motorcyclists have become easy targets for criminals.

“Because of the bad roads, hoodlums regularly attack residents returning home from work. Passengers are robbed while motorcycles are often seized from riders. One victim was recently struck on the head with a hammer,” he alleged.

Residents Blame Train Station Construction

The residents attributed the rapid deterioration of the roads to the construction activities associated with the Lateef Jakande Train Station at Agbado Crossing.

They claimed that heavy-duty trucks transporting construction materials from the Sango-Ota axis caused extensive damage to the already fragile roads.

“The roads were bad before, but they were still manageable. Everything got worse when trucks began moving construction materials to the train station around 2017. After the project was completed, the roads were abandoned without repairs,” a community member said.

Transport Costs Soar

Commercial transport operators said the condition of the roads has significantly increased vehicle maintenance costs, forcing many to raise transport fares.

A motorcycle rider, Taoreed, lamented that he spends substantial amounts on repairs.

“Today alone, I spent N18,000 repairing my motorcycle. This has become a regular occurrence, and it is affecting our livelihood,” he said.

Flooding Threatens Residents

Residents also appealed for urgent intervention to clear blocked drainage channels around Bashy Bus Stop, warning that flooding poses serious risks to schoolchildren and other road users.

A female resident said heavy rainfall recently submerged parts of the area.

“The drainage under the footbridge is blocked and causing severe flooding. Students are forced to walk through floodwaters after school. The situation is dangerous and requires immediate attention,” she said.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Ogun State Commissioner for Works, Ade Akinsanya, were unsuccessful as calls and text messages sent to her were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.

The post Residents Lament 15 Years of Neglect as Agbado-Ijoko Road Deteriorates appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Residents of Festac Town in the Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos State have raised concerns over the alleged sale of critical public infrastructure, warning that the development could pose serious environmental, health and security risks within the estate.

The residents, under the umbrella of the Take Back Festac Movement, staged a peaceful protest on Saturday, accusing the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) of disposing of facilities originally designated for public use, including sewage treatment plants, waterworks, parks and buffer zones.

Speaking during the protest, the group’s president, Valentine Uduebo, described the alleged transactions as a threat to the future of the estate and called on President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene.

According to him, several sewage treatment facilities located across different parts of Festac Town had allegedly been sold to private interests.

“This facility behind us is a sewage management facility that serves residents in this area, yet it has been sold. The new owners intend to build food-related businesses on land meant for sewage management,” he alleged.

Uduebo also claimed that the estate’s Waterworks facility on 22 Road, as well as parks and recreational spaces, had been sold, warning that the loss of such infrastructure could negatively affect residents’ quality of life.

He further accused authorities of imposing multiple charges on property owners, alleging that residents are subjected to duplicate fees from both Lagos State agencies and the FHA.

“People pay building approval fees to Lagos State and are still required to make additional payments to the FHA. Residents see this as double taxation and extortion,” he said.

Health and Environmental Concerns

A medical practitioner and resident, Dr. Dumebi Owa, warned that converting sewage treatment facilities to other uses could create serious public health challenges.

“Sewage is meant to be properly managed and disposed of. If it is not properly handled, we risk outbreaks of diseases and serious public health challenges,” she said.

She also expressed concern over the alleged sale of parks and green spaces, noting that such developments could worsen environmental degradation and climate-related impacts.

Residents Demand Reversal of Sales

Another resident, James Ibekwe, who said he has lived in Festac Town since 1977, described the alleged transactions as a violation of the estate’s original master plan.

“We want the relevant authorities to act responsibly and revoke these sales. These sales are illegal, unconstitutional, null and void,” he said.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) in Amuwo-Odofin, Monsuru Salam, alleged that a security post on 51 Road serving multiple security zones had also been sold, raising concerns about security within the community.

FHA Dismisses Allegations

Reacting to the protest, FHA spokesperson Kenneth Chigelu dismissed the allegations and questioned why the protesters had not formally engaged the authority before going public.

“It has become a norm for people to wake up and start protests simply for publicity. Have they taken the time to come to the authority and channel their complaints?” he said.

Chigelu maintained that many of the issues raised predated the current administration and argued that some of the facilities cited by protesters had long ceased functioning.

“As for the sewage treatment facilities, the central system collapsed a long time ago. Have they shown you functioning treatment plants?” he queried.

He advised aggrieved residents to channel their complaints through recognised structures, including the Festac Town Residents Association, which he identified as the FHA’s official partner for community engagement.

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The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos Chapter, has unveiled a multi-million-naira motor park named after President Bola Tinubu in Lagos.

The facility, known as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Modern Garage, is located in the Oyingbo area of the state and was formally opened on Tuesday in the presence of senior government officials, traditional rulers and union leaders.

Among dignitaries expected at the event were NURTW Lagos Chairman, Mustapha Sego; the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Aremu; the Chief of Staff to the governor, Tayo Ayinde; the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi; and the governor’s Special Adviser on Transportation, Sola Giwa.

The new motor park adds to a growing number of public institutions and infrastructure across the country named after the president since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

These include an international airport in Minna, a major road in Abuja, a National Assembly building, a technology complex, a polytechnic in Gwarinpa, a military barracks in Abuja, and an NYSC orientation camp in Adamawa State.

The trend has sparked mixed reactions among citizens and political observers, with debates focusing on the symbolism and timing of the renamings.

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Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to constructing durable, long-lasting roads across the country, stating that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is focused on delivering infrastructure that will stand the test of time for up to 100 years.

Speaking to journalists during an inspection tour of major highway projects in the South-West on Wednesday, Umahi said the government is now prioritizing the use of concrete pavement technology over traditional asphalt in a bid to enhance road longevity and performance.

The minister visited two key projects: the Sagamu–Ijebu-Ode–Benin Expressway and Section II of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, which stretches from the Sagamu Interchange to Ojoo in Ibadan, Oyo State. He expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work on both sites, noting that the projects reflect a new era of infrastructure delivery in Nigeria.

“We are not just constructing roads, we are building infrastructure that will endure for over 100 years,” Umahi stated. “Show me an asphalt road in Nigeria that has lasted 50 years. Even the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, recently rehabilitated with asphalt, is already showing signs of failure in some sections. But the concrete road built in my state in the 1950s remains intact to this day.”

According to Umahi, the decision to adopt concrete pavement is based on its proven durability and cost-effectiveness over time. He stressed that while concrete may have higher upfront costs, it offers lower maintenance requirements and significantly longer lifespan compared to asphalt.

He also used the occasion to criticize the habit of indiscriminate refuse dumping on highways, calling it unpatriotic and a serious impediment to maintaining national infrastructure.

“Our highways are not dumping grounds,” he said. “This behavior undermines the government’s efforts to provide quality infrastructure and must be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians.”

Umahi reiterated that the Tinubu administration is redefining standards for federal road projects, with a focus on sustainability, quality, and value for money.

The post Nigeria to Build Century-Lasting Roads with Concrete Technology- Minister Umahi appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

A joint inter-agency team comprising officials from the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Nigerian Red Cross Society has concluded an on-the-ground assessment of communities severely affected by recent flooding in parts of Sokoto State.

The rapid assessment followed distress reports from Gada Local Government Area, where torrential rains caused widespread damage to homes, farmlands, and critical public infrastructure in several communities, including Gada, Tsitse, and Gilbade.

According to local ward representatives—Kabiru Usman (Gada), Sahabi Abdullahi (Tsitse), and Ahmed Tambari (Gilbade), the joint mission aims to guide both state and federal authorities in coordinating timely relief interventions and long-term recovery strategies.

Led by Sokoto SEMA officials, the team documented extensive losses, including the displacement of thousands and the submergence of agricultural lands at the peak of the harvest season. Preliminary data indicate that at least 2,814 residents were directly impacted by the floods, with hundreds of hectares of farmland rendered unusable.

Tragically, the flooding claimed the lives of two children and one elderly person, while 11 others sustained injuries. The destruction extended to key infrastructure, including a community mosque in Dantudu Bobawa and several public schools among them Damarki Primary School, Tunga Primary School, and Musuki Primary School which suffered structural damage.

Emergency agencies say the findings will form the basis for a coordinated response effort, including the distribution of relief materials and the design of climate-resilient infrastructure in flood-prone areas.

The Sokoto State Government is expected to announce its next steps in the coming days, as humanitarian organizations and development partners prepare to scale up support for affected communities.

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on residents and business operators in Abuja to prioritize tax compliance, describing it as the foundation upon which the city’s transformation is being built. According to him, the ongoing improvements in roads, drainages, street lighting, and other public infrastructure are a direct result of tax revenues.

“All these good roads, drainages, and streetlights wouldn’t be possible if you don’t pay your taxes,” Wike said during the flag-off of new infrastructure projects in Asokoro Extension. “As we say, ‘Dis soup sweet, na money kill am.’ If you don’t have money to buy the right ingredients, the soup won’t taste good. In the same way, if we don’t have funds, we can’t deliver the kind of city Abuja deserves.”

Framing taxation as more than a civic obligation, the Minister described it as a form of collective investment in public welfare. “When you pay your taxes, you are buying comfort, safety, and pride for Abuja. So, let’s all do our part to make this city the pride of the nation.”

The infrastructure drive, he noted, aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which envisions Abuja as a global city that can compete with the best urban centers in the world. “This government is committed to ensuring that the FCT competes favorably with other cities of the world,” he said. “What you see in the developed world isn’t magic it’s the result of leadership commitment. That is what Mr. President has brought to Abuja.”

Highlighting the Asokoro Extension project as a symbol of that vision, Wike stressed the importance of basic amenities in shaping the quality of life. “Without proper road networks, drainages, and streetlights, life becomes difficult. But by the time these are completed, Asokoro will rank among the most beautiful areas in Abuja.”

Wike also pointed to the employment opportunities being generated by the ongoing construction projects across the capital, linking them to the administration’s wider socioeconomic goals. “Everywhere you go, construction is ongoing and that means jobs for our young people. This is part of the Renewed Hope agenda.”

Beyond roads and physical infrastructure, the Minister revealed that the FCT Administration is set to embark on a new phase of development in education and healthcare. “We’ve touched transport, roads, sports, and education. Now we’re moving to health. No sector will be left untouched.”

He concluded with a call for patience and continued public support, urging citizens to view their tax contributions as essential to Abuja’s long-term progress. “The Abuja of two years ago is not the same today, and by tomorrow, it will be even better.”

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