Author: Lydia Ngwakwe

Building material testing: Lagos agency to crackdown on erring consultants

Integrity

By Lydia Ngwakwe

Lagos, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency (LSMTL) has called on technical and non-technical consultants to uphold integrity and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

The General Manager of LSMTL, Mrs Olayinka Abdul, made the call in a statement issued by the agency’s Head of Public Affairs Unit, Mrs Salehu-Badejo Abimbola, on Wednesday in Lagos.

Abdul said: “It has come to our notice that there have been unscrupulous activities posing threats to the credibility and integrity of our testing processes.

“There is going to be a form of rebranding requiring you to revalidate your contract with us.

“As a certified civil engineer with a long-standing experience, I am committed to ensuring that the highest standards of quality and safety in construction are carried out across our state.

“Any actions that undermine such validity of test results endanger lives of countless individuals.

“That is why we need to revamp our processes and operations to ensure we safely protect lives and property vested upon us as the mandate of this agency.”

Abdul said that the agency was implementing stricter protocols for building materials testing to ensure safety of buildings.

According to Abdul, the protocols include unannounced collection of samples of concrete, soil, water and steel throughout construction stages.

She said that the agency was also educating the public about the dangers of using poor quality building materials.

Abdul promised a 72-hour turnaround time for credible and professional testing results.

She urged independent laboratories to be committed to safety and report suspicious activities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
LED/IGO
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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Rainy season: LASBCA moves to avert building collapse

Building

By Lydia Ngwakwe

Lagos, June 25, 2024 (NAN) Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) says it is taking  proactive measures to prevent collapse of buildings this rainy season and ensure safety of Lagos residents.

The Director, Public Affairs Unit, LASBCA, Mr Olusegun Olaoye, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

The official said that  rains had negative effects on weak and poorly-constructed structures.

He said that the agency had increased inspection and monitoring to quickly identify weak structures to prevent  collapse during the rainy season.

Olaoye said that weak structures were more likely to collapse  during rainy season due to weakened foundations from water exposure.

He said, “By finding these weak structures early, we call on the owners to repair or demolish them, and if the owners don’t take actions, LASBCA will remove the buildings at the owners’ expense to prevent collapse  and  associated injures and deaths.”

He advised property owners to have their buildings checked for structural stability and to take actions on any identified problems.

He added that the agency had identified some distressed buildings and had since published a list of them.

Olaoye said that the agency had also intensified awareness campaign by educating Lagos residents about the dangers of living in weak buildings.

According to him, the residents are being educated on how to know a structure in distress.

He said that the residents were also being encouraged to report any concerns to LASBCA.

He further said that the agency was working together with  stakeholders to create a stronger network for promoting safety and preventing building collapses.

He aded that the agency was advocating better drainage systems to reduce water build-up around structures.

He said: “We are encouraging developers to investigate the ground before building, we are advising on proper roof care to prevent leaks and damage, we are implementing tougher regulations throughout the building process and we are bringing in experts to help enforce building codes.

“These and many more are the measures LASBCA has put in place to prevent building collapse during the rainy season.’’ (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

LED/IGO

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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

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Olayinka Abdul becomes first female GM of LSMTL

Appointment

By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency (LSMTL) has announced the appointment of Mrs Olayinka Abdul as the first female General Manager of the agency.

According to the Head of Public Affairs Officer of  LSMTL, Mrs Salehu-Badejo Abimbola, the appointment is contained in a letter from Gov. Babajide  Sanwo-Olu and released by the Office of the Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro.

The public affairs officer said that  Abdul had her first meeting with LSMTL staff on Wednesday during which she gave assurance of her  commitment to the agency’s progress.

She also said that Abdul emphasised the importance of a strong work ethic and dedication to duty.

“If we are deliberate in putting smiles on the faces of subordinates for progress,using reward for hard work, it stimulates dedicated service delivery.

“Thus, let us be keen in setting a legacy that is honest, staunched and progressive in helping people unbundle themselves for optimal performance,” the official quoted Abdul as saying.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  Abdul joined Lagos State Government service  in 2000 as a Senior Engineer at the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC).

She eventually  became the Head of Civil/Structures at the LSDPC.

In June 2019, she was redeployed to the Lagos State Public Works Corporation where she served as the Director of Civil Engineering. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
LED/IGO

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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Carbon

By Lydia Ngwakwe

Lagos June 15, 2024 (NAN) The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi,  says building roads using concrete will lead to carbon credits and align with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s efforts  in tackling  climate change effects.

Umahi said this on Saturday  in Lagos while inspecting  works on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and other road projects on the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Dangote Tax Credit Route,  and Eleko, among other axis.

He said, ” There is huge carbon credit on all these roads. We are going to put solar lights.

“All these road, we are building with concrete because there is low emission by reason of the traction of vehicles on these concrete roads. Asphalt gives a lot of heat and troubles our environment.

“It shows that Mr President is a champion of climate change effects mitigation, and  I am happy with what Mr President is doing.

“The president is going to be working with us to see how we can claim a lot of carbon credits by reason of this innovation.”

The minister emphasised that the lights on the Third Mainland Bridge would be completely removed and replaced with solar-powered lights.

He said, “We will put CCTV and we will put solar lights and save energy.”

Umahi commended Hitech Construction Company Ltd. for carrying out the road construction well.

” I want any other company that can challenge Hitech in terms of quality, in terms of equipment, in terms of being amenable to our changes, to challenge it,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Lagos-Calabar  Coastal Highway: FG withholds payment of some compensations

Compensation

By Lydia Ngwakwe

Lagos, June 15, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government says it is withholding payment of compensation to affected property owners from Kilometer Seven on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, due to alteration on the plan.

The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, said this when he  inspected ongoing works on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and other road projects on the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Dangote Tax Credit Route and Eleko, among other axis, on Saturday in Lagos.

The minister said that, to resolve most of the compensation issues where a lot of critical infrastructure were affected, the government had reduced the entire corridor from Phase Two, Section Two of the coastal route, to effective pavements of 55km, including the 10 train tracks.

He said that the government had released about N10 billion so far in compensations.

Umahi said, “We are going to withhold compensation payment from Kilometer Seven because we have re-routed some of the sections, like the white sand beach.

“I know the indigenes have been praying very well. I think God has answered their prayers because we have also compressed the corridor to 55 effective pavements with the 10 train tracks.

“We reduced the 10 tracks from 55 to 20, and we are taking it back also towards the beginning of this project.”

The minister said that after review, payment of the compensation would  continue.

“For Section Two, we are going to have brand new enumerators so that they will also give us their opinions.

” It is going to be very, very fast,” the minister said.

According to Umahi, many property are going to be saved.

He said, ” We saved all those cables and saved the whole community of Okunaja, by not only re-routing, but re-routing entirely through a swamp.

” I hear that some people are calling to protest that we are re-routing to the swamp, that we should go to the gazetted and then destroy the cables.

“I wonder what kind of people we are dealing with. It is very funny.

” I believe that they will see reasons to be very reasonable.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

FG flags off construction of Section 2 of Lagos-Badagry Highway

Construction

By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, June 15, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government has flagged off construction of Section Two of the Lagos-Badagry Coastal Highway

The project starts from  the Lekki Deep Seaport, which is Lagos  State border with  Ogun.

The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, flagged off of the construction on Saturday.

Umuahi was accompanied by some other officials of the Federal Ministry  of Works.

They also inspected works on  the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and other road projects on the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Dangote Tax Credit Route and Eleko, among other axis.

Umahi promised that each section of the project would be given desired attention.

He said that about N10 billion had so far been paid as compensation to owners of structures affected by the rights of way of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.

The minister also said that construction of flyovers would begin by the first week of July.

He added that the Federal Executive Council had given approval for the construction of the Sokoto-Badagry Road.

Umahi, who also inspected the Third Mainland Bridge, said that 80 per cent of road projects flagged off since the inception of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration had been completed.

The Senate Deputy Chief Whip and Member, Senate Committee on Works, Mr Peter Nwebonyi, commended the administration for  infrastructure development. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Show more understanding of Nigerians’ difficulties – NIS ex-officer tells politicians

By Lydia Ngwakwe

Lagos, June 12, 2024 (NAN) Mr Olumide Adewebi, immediate past Vice-President (International), Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, on Wednesday urged public office holders to show more understanding of the difficulties faced by the Nigerian masses.

Adewebi said that some public office holders were out of touch with the everyday struggles of the masses they represented or appointed to serve.

He spoke  in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos in reaction to President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech.

NAN reports that Nigeria’s Democracy Day is now celebrated on June 12 to remember the sacrifices of the winner of the 1993 Presidential Election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.

It used to be celebrated on May 29 annually, but was moved to June 12 by the administration of retired Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

He said, ” I had hoped that at such a time, we would be reeling out a litany of victories regarding the economy, education, agriculture and, of course, security.

“While I will not discount the efforts made in these directions, I will not beat my chest to say the common man has fared better.

“The president speech was full of heartfelt history of the struggle for democracy, and adequately praised the living and dead heroes of that struggle.

“It also perfectly encouraged us all to continue on this road, but I dare say the only class of Nigerians that seem to have made significant progress in this 25-year journey are those in the political class.

He said that adequate understanding of the struggles of the masses would make public office holders to do more to achieve a better tomorrow for the citizens.

He also said that the masses  had a role to play to make  Nigeria  great, adding that the country’s development was a collective responsibility.  (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

LASG subjects Badagry master plan review to public scrutiny

Plan

By Lydia Ngwakwe

Lagos, June 9, 2024 (NAN) Lagos State Government says it will make the draft report on review of Badagry Master Plan  available for public scrutiny for 28 work days.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Lagos State, Mr Oluwole Sotire, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

Sotire said in the statement issued by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs Unit of the office, Mr Mukaila Sanusi, that stakeholders would go through the proposed plan and provide feedbacks.

According to the permanent secretary, the Draft Report on the Review of Badagry Master Plan (2022-2024) would be open to public scrutiny from June 19  to July 26.

He said that the goal was to create a more inclusive plan that would reflect the needs of the community.

He said: “Subjecting the draft report to public scrutiny is part of the acclaimed process of preparing an inclusive plan, which is also in tandem with the state’s culture of citizens’ participation in the preparation of physical development plans.

“The inspection venues which are 13 in all, include the local government/local council development area secretariats within the Badagry Division of the state.”

Sotire added that local planning offices within the division, Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development Secretariat, Alausa, and the Headquarters of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority at GRA, Ikeja, would also be venues.

” It is worthy of note that, to ramp up public participation in the plan preparation process, the 28-day public inspection of the Draft Report on the Review of Badagry Master Plan (2022-2042) will be followed by a final stakeholders meeting on August 8, at LASU Main Auditorium, Ojo.” he said.

According to Sotire, the plan is being reviewed because the original one was in place for 20 years and needs updates to reflect current conditions and future goals.

He said that the plan aimed to identify and leverage Badagry’s unique features, such as  historical significance, cultural heritage and natural environment.

Sotire said that the plan prioritised environmentally-friendly development practices to ensure long-term viability without harming the environment.

He also said that the goal was to create economic and social development in Badagry that could be maintained overtime.

According to him, there will be socio-economic development to improve the overall quality of life in Badagry through job creation, infrastructure development and access to social services.

He added, “The plan seeks to make Badagry an attractive location for  investment, potentially bringing in more economic opportunities.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Housing

By Lydia Ngwakwe/Aderonke Ojediran
Lagos, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The Commissioner for Housing, Lagos state, 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 private 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.
“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 magnanimity 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.
According 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.
sid, 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.
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 taken 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 the former Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
LED/OAF/JNC
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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

LASG to hand-over 270 homes in Egan-Igando estate

Housing

By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, June 5, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos State Government says it is set to hand over 270 housing units at the Egan-Igando mixed housing estate to the original applicants (allotees), after a long delay.

The Commissioner for Housing, Mr Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, said in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos, that the official commissioning and hand-over of keys to the first 270 homeowners would take place on June 6.

The commissioner said in the statement which was signed by the ministry’s Director, Public Affairs, Mrs Adeola Salako, that the estate had been under development for 21 years.

Akinderu-Fatai said that the estate was part of the state government’s efforts to provide affordable and quality housing for Lagos residents.

“This project encountered setbacks like vandalism and theft, leading to a completion strategy focusing on delivering units in clusters.

“This is a fulfillment of Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s pledge to complete ongoing housing projects and the Ministry of Housing’s dedication to delivering this vital project despite challenges.

“I acknowledge the patience of the original applicants who waited for many years.

“We are thrilled to finally break through the barriers that have held us back for so long with the delivery of the first cluster comprising 270 homes,” he said

Also, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Mr AbdulHafis Gbolahan, said that the preparation process had been completed by May 31, paving the way for the official unveiling of the estate on June 6.

He highlighted the importance of collaboration between contractors, community members, and the government for a smooth handover process.

Furthermore, Gbolahan thanked the prospective homeowners for their patience, understanding and trust shown for many years while waiting for the completion of the housing scheme.

“We are confident that the end result will be well worth the wait,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Christiana Fadare