02042019 - Military uncovers arms factory in Benue

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26 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 Stories by Kingsley Adegboye Arising from the one-day roundtable on Legal Preparedness for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change put together by the Environmental Resource Centre, ERC, in collaboration with Legal Response International, LRI, London, with technical and financial support from the Advocates for International Development, A4ID, under the Rule of Law Expertise (Role UK) Programme, the participants resolved to establish a Legal/ Technical Working Group, LTWG, on Climate Governance in Nigeria. The group is to comprise legal advisers and other technical experts from NDC -focused Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs, and other relevant government bodies, academia, NGOs and the private sector. The over 40 participants comprising lawyers and policymakers from government ministries and agencies, academia, private sector and NGOs, converged on Lagos for the one day event with the aim of introducing and enhancing understanding of the recently adopted Paris Rulebook to expand legal space for strengthening climate governance in Nigeria, as well as getting legal and policymakers to champion the review and development of processes within their professional environment to improve climate management in Nigeria within the context of existing and emerging legal development. They also resolved that the technical experts would provide the context for the legal experts in coming up with the draft guidelines/communiqué from the roundtable. The meeting which had three technical presentations by resource persons and in-depth discussions by participants, during the final presentation by the UNFCCC Focal point for Nigeria, by Dr. Peter Tarfa, proposed the establishment of a legal working group, LWG, to support the Nigerian Climate change: Stakeholders advocate establishment of legal/technical working group Firm opens rental office space for start up business owners Against the backdrop of globalisation which has brought to the fore, the imperative of technology-driven approach to human activities, NIKOY Nigeria Limited, a Lagos-based agro-business company which specialises in grains processing and haulage, has inaugurated two innovative subsidiaries in Lagos. The subsidiaries which are ACE Wash N Dry Laundromat and Work Hive Co-work Space in pursuit of strategic diversification programme, are to meet the aspirations of millennials whose activities are technology-driven in all areas of human endeavour. By the establishment of Work Hive Co-work Space, it means the days of having your office space before you can transact government in the international climate negotiations and the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Going forward, the participants adopted the following resolutions: The LTWG should undertake detailed analysis of COP decisions and the legal implications for Nigeria and provide expert advice, just as •Effect of climate change business is gradually becoming a thing of the past, as it affords business startups the opportunity to rent a space per hour, per day with the provision of office facilities in place to do your business. Both located off Toyin Street, Ikeja, while the co-working space is believed to ease business particularly for the new startups and young entrepreneurs, the Laundromat is powered by latest and cheapest technology to make laundry services as affordable as possible. Mr. Olawale Oyedele, Chairman, NIKOY Nigeria Limited, said at the inauguration of Work Hive Co- Work that the move was part of the effort to diversify the company’s portfolio and also help millenials in need of smart work space. According to Oyedele, the creation was in response to globalisation, which has placed Nigerian millennials in dire need of technology-driven office space. This, he said, this new company is set out to achieve at reduced cost, adding that their corporate innovativeness has, therefore, brought about the decision to float Work Hive Dr. Joseph Sanusi, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, said the two new businesses had been established on the pillars of integrity, skills, value and determination to sustain quality services at affordable prices for everyone. Sanusi urged the Federal the LTWG should comprise experts with knowledge and expertise on topical issues drawn from sector-specific zones in the country e.g. Niger- Delta representatives for gas flaring issues; Benue State representatives for agricultural issues. The participants further resolved that the formal partnership with knowledgebased institutions should be integrated as part of the role players for the review and working group, insisting that the LTWG should make recommendations for removing identified legal barriers for investments in climate change adaptation and mitigations in Nigeria, particularly in the NDC- focused sectors. They said the LTWG should Building Collapse: Artisans hail Buhari on Engineering Registration Amendment Act By Gabriel Ewepu Artisans under the auspices of Association of Tilers, Nigeria, ATN, at the weekend, hailed President Muhammadu Buhari, over the signing of the Engineering Registration Amendment Act, 2019, which gives constitutional backing to Council for Regulating Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, to effectively regulate the sector. The National President, ATN, Hassan Olanrewaju, who made the commendation however, lamented the invasion of quacks in the construction industry which has resulted in incessant collapse of buildings and loss of lives across the country over the years including the recent incidents. Olanrewaju also stated that Buhari’s assent to the amended Act was the best decision that would strengthen the enforcement powers of COREN to prosecute any person or firm found to have contravened the provisions of the Act in a court of competent jurisdiction, adding that with this constitutional backing, COREN will instil discipline and sanity in the construction industry. He said: “We were very grateful to receive the news that President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the Engineering Registration Amendment Act 2019. This is highly Government to put incentives in place to encourage entrepreneurs to establish companies in the country and create employment to boost the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. Miss Mojisola Oyedele, the managing director of the new company, affirmed that their target market was the millenials within the ages of 21 and 24, startups and young professionals. “The young professionals can come to Work Hive and rent a space for one hour or two, they can also go for daily or monthly rate. It all depends on the work. All the facilities which are obtainable in a conventional office are available here including internet facilities, power supply, and furniture,” she assured. undertake a review and revision of the Climate Change Framework Bill 2017 passed by the National Assembly with a view to ensuring it is consistent with emerging issues and can facilitate the implementation of the NDC, adding that capacitybuilding and further training would be required for the LTWG to enhance expertise of members. commendable and a step in the right direction by Mr. President. This will boost COREN’s powers to drastically reduce all forms of quack activities in the industry to save lives by prosecuting those found guilty. “We in Association of Tilers, Nigeria ATN, have been a noble and professional organisation registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission CAC, under the Company and Allied Matters Act 1990, therefore throw our weight behind COREN to sanitize the industry.” He also lauded the effort of the President of COREN, Kashim Ali and his team for ensuring the amended Act scaled through and passed into law by Mr President’s assent. “We laud the President of COREN, Kashim Ali and his dogged team to ensure the amended Engineering Registration Act 2019 for the overall safety of Nigerians as far as construction is concerned. We, as part of this prestigious organisation, COREN, support the leadership on this new mandate as far as the amendment of the Act is concerned,” he stated. The association also commended the ongoing demolition of unfit buildings in Lagos State by the Lagos State Government, and appealed to landlords and tenants to cooperate with the government. It would be recalled that the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, disclosed the assent of Mr. President to the Engineering Registration Amended Act 2019 last Friday to State House correspondents in Abuja.
Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 — 27 Firm showcases opportunities in real estate investment, unveils 'New Lagos Homes' By Kingsley Adegboye Richlife Properties Ltd, a subsidiary of Richlife Commercial & Logistics Ltd, which is into real estate development with residential estate locations across Lagos and Ogun states, has revealed that real estate investment is the most profitable investment with a returns on investment ROI. It added that smart investors always have the foresight of where the world is going pertime and then position themselves to become richer. Making the revelation weekend at a one-day investors’ forum showcasing opportunities in investing in real estate in Lagos, the Managing Director of the group of companies, Mr. Bankole Oluwasheyi, who said this is the first investors’ forum to be organised by the group, noted that there is future in investing in real estate because of abundant benefits to be derived from such investment. Richlife boss who said if Alinko Dangote, the richest man in Africa, is still investing and diversifying across businesses, asked why won’t Richlife continue to invest in real estate. According to him, the initiative to invest in real estate will address housing deficit currently facing the country, pointing out that why investors should invest in Richlife’s housing projects is that “We have over 10,000 customer base, 16 estates across the country, capital base of N4 billion in three years of the company with workforce of over 1000. With these achievements of the company in just three years of commencing business, it means we are in a position to talk about business opportunities”. Speaking on importance of real estate investment, Mr. Uduak Ekpenyong, a director in the group, said investing in real estate is a win win situation for everybody including the company, investors and even the land owners. According to him, because the real estate company buys land in hectares, it will bring about economy of scale, meaning it is cheaper when one is buying land in acres or hectares, adding that the subscribers to the housing scheme will not have problems with land grabbers. He said above all, the land in question continues to appreciate in value and will have a high return on investment ultimately. On profitability of investing in real estate, Mr. Olufemi Awonuga, said apart from profit making by investing in real estate, other benefits of the investment include full control of the property by the investor, there is an investment for every budget, which means that whatever your budget is, you will have property to invest in. Awonuga pointed out that investment in real estate is flexible, it does not require special skill to do that, it is not too late to invest in real estate, it is one of the most profitable investments, and a few years after investment, you will be glad you did. Unveiling New Lagos Homes which is located in Ibeju-Lekki, Oluwasheyi said the estate is a 30 acres property situated in the strategic and developing ASpecial Interest Group SIG, comprising individuals operating in the real estate sector have come together under the aegis of the School of Estate to address the myriads of lingering housing challenges in Nigeria. School of Estate is a business training school that specializes in Real Estate and Estate Management courses. They adopt concepts that enhance participants’ knowledge of real estate, particularly in Nigeria where there is a flexible entry and exit into the market. Subsequently, as part of a triangulation approach to scientific policy work on challenges and opportunities in funding housing development projects in Nigeria, a focus group session was organised recently at the Maryland, Lagos office of the school for the group to officially commence its activities with key area of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, pointing out that the axis is the new Lagos as a result of the high concentration of developments springing up in the area such as Dangote Refinery which is expected to be the world’s biggest singletrain facility estimated to cost 14 billion dollars, Lekki International Airport, Deep sea port, Free Trade Zone and others. He said “”This offer is an opportunity for you to invest and own a piece of the New Lagos Homes. After two years, the investors gets back his principal, 20 per cent interest per annum and still retains his plot within the estate after this two years period depending on amount invested. N10 million investment for two years gets 20 per cent guaranteed return on investment per annum and 800 square metres plot in the New Lagos Homes currently valued at N5 million”, Oluwasheyi stated. FG can’t solve 17m housing deficit alone — Refin Homes •Targets 250m houses annually in Lagos By Chiamaka Uba&Tolulope Oke Aleading real estate firm, Refin Homes, has concluded plans to build 250 houses yearly in Lagos to address the housing deficit in the country, saying the Federal Government cannot respond to the 17 million housing deficit alone. The firm said this in Lagos at a breakfast event to discuss the housing challenges in the country, entitled: Create The Future. The forum was a one-on-one interactive session between the brand, the media and other stakeholders. According to the MD/CEO of One of Richlife's Estates Refin Homes, Mr Olatunde Macaulay, the company came into the real estate market to focus on providing alternative housing solutions that add value to lives, especially the underserved middle to lower end spectrum. He said: “For over 10 years, a 17 million housing deficit has been bandied around. The government cannot handle this deficit alone. There has to be public/private partnerships and other private institutions such as ours, must help the government in reducing this huge housing deficit as soon as possible. This is our second year. Our aim is to build 250 houses yearly. School of Estate, stakeholders move against housing deficit players in the housing sector in attendance. Speaking at the event, Mr. Gbadebo Adejana of Realty Point Ltd challenged developers to take the bull by the horn and stop waiting for the government to do everything while they sit, relax and shift blames. According to him, the housing deficit quoted in 2005 which was at 10 million has increased to 21million according to the last statistics quoted by the media, stressing that what this means is that the sector is not meeting its yearly requirement. He said instead of hanging everything on the shoulder of the government, he wondered why stakeholders do not go beyond discussions and start taking actions. Mr. Adejana therefore called on real estate professionals across board start an organisation that is self-regulating, and where We have houses we are building currently. Right now we are in Lagos and our home assurance scheme is from N1 million to N55 million”. On the tragic building collapse at Ita-Faji, Lagos Island, Macaulay added that it is important for builders and real estate firms to follow strict guidelines and approvals set by the regulatory bodies before putting any structure in place. According to the company, the theme, “Create The Future” is a strategic platform that calls the attention of all Nigerians on the need to plan ahead today by putting in place modalities that ensure a solid roof over their heads. “The future is not somewhere distant, the future is now, and they can project themselves and make themselves known to the world, adding that with this, it would be easier to resolve issues within the organisation because everyone knows the necessary channels to go to, as if one arm is not performing to its responsibilities, it would be easy to know who to hold accountable. “It is high time we stopped passing the ball around and taking actions” he said. In the focus group discussion, participants proposed that government should, as a matter of urgency, declare a state of emergency in the real estate sector, noting that some of the issues confronting housing sector that require urgent attention include gap in the knowledge-base on project financing, the short-term nature of available funds, high interest rates and a lack of a database on we want to sit with Nigerians to plan based on your desires and capacity to give you the home of your dreams” Macaulay added. Also speaking at the event, cofounder of the firm, Mr. Kazeem Owolabi advocated for efforts to be directed more at providing affordable housing for the middle and lower classes of the society. He said it was unacceptable that Nigerians work so hard and yet, many of them cannot even think of owning their own homes. He believes that in the long term, the Nigerian economy becomes the biggest beneficiary of a system that makes it easy for people to own quality and affordable homes. funding sources etc. According to a policy consultant, Mr. Olufemi Omotayo, a report has shown that only about 10 per cent of Nigerians can afford housing, insisting that housing policies need to be involved to bridge the gap. He listed some of the problems facing the sector as high cost of labour, land and building materials which make the whole process cumbersome. The group noted that prior to the dialogue, the literature review and survey showed that housing deficit had lingered for too long in the sector and no one seems to be ready to own up to it, pointing out that the theoretical framework also acknowledged the role of government and the organised private sector have played in recent times to aid housing development with initiatives like Nigerian Mortgage Refinancing Company, Family Homes Fund, Mortgage Warehousing etc.
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