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The Housing Minister advocates for ongoing cooperation with the Institute of Mortgage Brokers and Lenders of Nigeria
To ensure that practitioners adhere to standard specifications in building houses, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, has urged for continuous partnership between the Ministry and the Institute of Mortgage Brokers and Lenders of Nigeria (IMBLN).
Emphasizing that this collaboration can pave the way for a brighter future and contribute to the overall economic growth in the country, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Tijjani Gwarzo made this appeal during a visit to his office by the Governing Council of the IMBLN Institute, led by its President, Quantity Surveyor Hayatuddeen Atiku Awwal.
He said “As we continue to work towards our common goals of enhancing professionalism and fostering growth within the Mortgage and Real Estate sectors, I encourage continued collaboration and dialogue between our Ministry and the Institute.
He noted that ” Together, we can overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and create a brighter future for our Nation.”
Gwarzo stated that, “In line with our Government’s Agenda to provide Affordable Housing and promote sustainable Urban Development, we acknowledge the importance of a robust regulatory framework and a skilled workforce. “
He also described the Institute’s role in setting prescribed rules and regulations that ensures adherence to best practices and ethical standards, a good measure to safeguard the interests of both consumers and professionals alike.
Accordingly, Gwarzo recognizes the crucial role played by the Institute in setting and reviewing standards, promoting research and development, and providing consultancy services.
"Your efforts in organizing conferences, seminars, symposia, and meetings, contribute significantly to knowledge exchange and capacity building within our industries” He added.
Speaking earlier, the President of the Governing Board of the Institute of Mortgage Bankers and Lenders of Nigeria, QS. Hayatuddeen Awwal, said the Institute has identified some challenges facing the Housing Sector with regard to home ownership and creation of jobs, saying collaboration with the Ministry was the only way to tackle them
” Working together with the Ministry would unlock potentials in Mortgage Industry as well as drive positive changes in the Housing Sector” He assured
The President also explained that, “,Through our activities, we strife to create an enabling environment for affordable housing and wealth creation for all Nigerians bearing in mind that the Housing Sector alone has the tendency to challenge the peculiar insecurity, job loss and death of artisans that is ravaging the Country,”
He further expressed confidence that under the current leadership in the Housing Ministry, design and specification of houses will be standardised, pointing out that he has begun an advocacy on adopting Nigeria model in the built environment by scaling down features like using regular ceiling board instead of fixing POP and using Nigeria made doors instead of imported Turkish doors
Adopting Nigeria model, he said, would enhance Mortgage Reforms that would ensure the acquisition of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates within the shortest possible time.
On Mortgage facility open to informal sector of the Nation, the President explained that the workers in informal sectors of Nigeria are not exempted from accessing mortgaging facilities but they find it difficult to access it because mortgage officers are not patient enough to generate a statement of income that could qualify them for accessibility since they do not have a standard payslip.
He also encouraged mortgage bankers to demonstrate patience and humility in their interactions to enhance inclusivity in homeownership through Mortgage Financing. He revealed that the Institute has initiated discussions with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria to extend services to the informal sector.
The Institute of Mortgage Brokers and Lenders, created by legislation from the National Assembly, has the duty to oversee and enhance the Mortgage Industry and Housing sector by fostering transparency, ethical practices, and professionalism within the field.
Additionally, the Institute is responsible for activities such as capacity building, training, certification, and regulation of Property, Mortgage, and Real Estate industry operations to ensure their proficiency and adherence to standards.
The Lagos State Government has said it would soon arrange a meeting with developers/owners of distressed buildings on how best to address the redesign and remodelling of such structures by November.
This was disclosed recently by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, at a function in Alahusa, Lagos.
Olumide said the prevalence of distressed buildings in different parts of the state was worrisome and needed the urgent attention of all stakeholders.
He said, “The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development as mandated by the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2019, as amended, was willing to extend its responsibility for approving the remodelling of existing buildings to provide technical assistance to developers and owners of distressed buildings, especially on the design and remodelling of such buildings.
The Federal Government has instructed the contractors responsible for the 107km Enugu-Onitsha road dualization to expedite the project.
This directive was given by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during a meeting with MTN, the Enugu State Government, and the contractors, RCC Ltd and Nigercat Ltd, on Friday.
According to a statement released on Friday, the minister said he is disappointed over the slow pace of work on the project, he said, “Let me express my disappointment over the slow pace of work on that project. It is one of the worst roads in this country.
“Everywhere we have diversion; diverting from the one that RCC and Nigercat had completed, the contractors are not kind enough to even put stone based on the diversion points.”
He added, “So, by the reason of the launching of our Operation Free our Roads, it is now a violation of the policy on the side of the controllers and directors of the Federal Ministry of Works where we have vehicles falling on any project that is ongoing or where there are potholes on our roads.”
He also blamed the sufferings of road users on the lack of commitment and insensitivity of the contractors.
“The public must know that the President’s intention is not for them to suffer while trying to fix the roads, and it is their right to insist that contractors should fix the roads that they are engaged on,” he said.
The Minister commended the Enugu state government for their resolve to fund the construction of a 20 KM section of the road and expressed hope that MTN would execute the second phase of the project.
He noted, “Why the Enugu State government is intervening is because of the slow pace of work by the contractors and because of funding issues. The essence of tax credit is for funds to be made available. And so, I don’t see RCC going to keep their promise to finish this project in 6 months.
“My advice to MTN is to look for another contractor within that axis if they want to get the job done. Division of labour is even the best. While they are doing the road, and if Nigercat is doing a good job, you can give them greater scope to do if you want to finish that job.”
He warned contractors that the Federal Government would not accept phased handovers of projects and has phased out Variation of Price in contract administration.
The Ekiti State government has intervened to resolve a longstanding land dispute between the Elepe of Epe-Ekiti, Oba Ayodele Adesoye, and the Atolagbe family. The government cautioned against the misuse of modernization as an excuse to disregard traditional customs.
In line with the community’s traditions, the government has ordered the release of resources, including palm trees at Oko Oba Farmland, to Oba Adesoye for his administration. This decision ensures the continued adherence to age-old practices.
Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, announced the resolution in Ado-Ekiti. The decision was made after considering the Elepe’s claim to Oko Oba Farmland based on historical evidence.
Mrs. Afuye acknowledged the Elepe’s right to be the custodian of Oko Oba Farmland, citing longstanding traditions that support his claim. The decision reflects the importance of respecting historical practices and ensuring their preservation.
The deputy governor, however, told the monarch in clear terms that other princes and princesses from all the three ruling houses should be allowed to farm on the land without payment of royalty.
Mrs Afuye appealed to the community to comply with the government’s position to restore unity, peace and orderliness to the beleaguered community.
Oba Adesoye expressed gratitude for the government’s decision and pledged to foster peace and unity between the throne and the community, aiming to accelerate Epe’s development.
Representing the Atolagbe family, Dr. Yemi Agbeleoba acknowledged their willingness to cede Oko Oba Farmland to the monarch. However, he emphasized the need for all three ruling houses to participate for a lasting and traditional solution.
Agbeleoba expressed appreciation for the government’s directive, believing it will contribute to resolving the long-standing conflict.
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