The Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors & Valuers (NIESV) has called for urban regeneration of Lagos State. They said a development plan is needed as the population growth is expected to double by 2050, making it the 3rd most populous city in the world according to reports by Worldpopulationreview.com.
Chairman, NIESV, Lagos Branch, Mr. Adedotun Bamigbola stated this in Ikeja in his maiden interaction with the media after his inauguration. He said the incessant occurrence of building collapse speaks volume of the need for urban regeneration as well as regular infrastructure re-evaluation and re-development. He said this is against the incommensurate rate of infrastructure development within the state, which the current government has promised to tackle. There is a need to regularly urge regulatory agencies to check on defective buildings or better still monitor buildings under construction. It is not enough to give permits for building construction but to ensure that what is submitted as drawing is what is built, he added.
He said: “ Urban redevelopment is what is needed in the state now by the government but the private sector have taken the lead by redeveloping parts of Old Yaba and building new structures that are vertical in nature to take in more people in a decent and healthy environment.. Urban Renewal agencies should identify old buildings and bring out workable plans for the owners on how to best redevelop them”.
On the programme of his administration, Bamigbola said he tagged it as “The agenda: The future is here”, which encapsulates the plans of his administration to move the branch forward and ensure it continues to play the leadership role in the institution and the profession. On the key elements of the agenda he said it include research and development, strategic partnership, capacity development, membership growth and welfare and strategic projects.
A fellow of the Institution, Biodun Olapade said most collapsed buildings are as a result of abuse of use, intensity of use of facilities which wears the buildings faster, conversion of use . he educated developers and the government to appreciate the need to use building according to what it was built for and if it will be used for the necessary adjustment to be made from the foundation to avoid the incessant collapse witnessed in the metropolis.
According to him the state have enough rules & regulations to tackle to problem of building collapse but is lacking a strong political will to implement available laws. He urged the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to rise to make Lagos a livable city and begin to compete with global economy. He pledged the support of the professionals in the sector in terms of advisory and data generation.
Bamigbola further commended the Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele on the commencement of his second term and the recent announcement of a 5- year development plan with securitized mortgage as a key component.
The Chairman stated that this have the capacity to promote rapid housing development as well as create both skilled and unskilled jobs in the country.
He revealed that they have requested for an expanded use of the pension fund for housing development, as it is in other climes, during the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) organized by their branch some time ago and is happy that is finally receiving attention.
According to him this plan by CBN will affect the economy positively if properly implemented with all workable stakeholders input taken.
