Abuja Housing Fair to address key industry issues

Dachi Maduako, Lagos

Aliyu Modibbo Umar, Minister of
Federal Capital TerritoryAs the days draw near for the kick off of the Abuja Housing Fair, the organisers, FESADEB Communications Limited, say the annual event would address the various problems facing the nation’s housing and construction industry.

Billed to commence on June 9, the fair is expected to stimulate the growth of the real estate sector by promoting local expertise and services in the real estate sector.

According to the workshop coordinator of the event, Ms Zainab Mamman Jimoh, the exhibition, holding at the Women Development Centre Abuja, is expected to bring together stakeholders, construction sector professionals, real estate practitioners to brainstorm over problems confronting the industry.

She said this year’s exhibition would look into the numerous problems that had bedevilled the industry with the aim of developing enduring solutions.

“As the Nigerian economy continues to enjoy impressive growth, the housing and construction sector also need change. The exhibition will address the various challenges facing Nigerian real estate industry and attempt to formulate growth strategies. Key decision makers in the public and private sectors as well as multi-national corporations will participate at the exhibition,” she said.

She stressed that the exhibition would provide a unique platform for the real estate developers, financial institutions, construction companies, manufacturers of building materials, housing corporations and other real estate players to exhibit and promote their products and services, and network with the right target group.

Mamman Jimoh stated that the sponsorship opportunities available at the exhibition had been structured to support participating company branding and sales efforts. She added that opportunities had been created for organisations in the housing and construction industry to participate in a two-day national workshop on Infrastructure Financing for Mass Housing Development in Nigeria.

This will constitute the stakeholders forum, which will enable the stakeholders appreciate the system as to economic, environmental and social sustainability, formulate strategies for increased inflow of foreign investment in the sector as well as highlight emerging factors in the nation’s demographic and socio-economic trends relevant to the industry and proffering solution to infrastructure financing problems as it relates to mass housing development in Nigeria.

Lagos assures on early completion of roads

Dachi Maduako, Lagos

Babatunde Fashola, Lagos
State governorSPECIAL Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ganiyu Johnson, has reiterated the state government’s commitment to timely completion of the various road projects awarded by the Babatunde Fashola administration in the state.

Disclosing this during an unscheduled inspection visit to the on-going re-construction of road projects along Yaba–Murtala Mohammed Way to Iddo area of the state, Johnson expressed satisfaction over the progress recorded so far on the various road projects embarked upon by the Fashola administration and commended the contractors for their efforts. He, however, urged them to ensure that the various road projects are all delivered ahead of scheduled time.

The special adviser explained that the massive network of roads awarded by the state government had been carefully selected and identified as roads that will positively impact on the lives of Lagosians.

He further explained that the road network along Yaba-Iddo Axis was so strategic and important to the economy of the state, as such, it has to be completed on time. He also explained that the present administration’s massive road works scattered all over the nook and crannies of the state consist of road construction, re-development and up-grading, which spanned along different zones in the State.

Johnson said the re-construction and upgrading of the Murtala Mohammed Way from Yaba to lddo was the first phase of the road project, while the phase II aspect involves Herbert Macaulay Way, Aje Street, Commercial Avenue, Commercial Road, Montgomery Street and Old Yaba Road which had also been awarded by the state government, just as Messrs P.W Ltd, the contractor that is in charge of the programme had already been mobilised.

The unscheduled visit, according to Johnson, was to keep the contractors on their toes, as he would not inform any contractor about project inspection so as to avoid window dressing. He, therefore, warned other contractors handling various road projects in the State to be up and doing as other independent monitoring teams are all over the state to assess the various road projects.