The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Housing, Barr. Barakat Odunuga-Bakare has highlighted the pivotal role of the government in reforming and modernizing real estate laws and regulations to meet present-day demands by investors and other relevant stakeholders in the built sector.
She expressed this view on Thursday while speaking at the inaugural conference of Female Lawyers in Real Estate Practice (FELIREP), convened to address critical issues plaguing the industry.
The event, held at Victoria Island, brought together key Real Estate stakeholders including government officials, legal experts, and industry leaders to discuss the theme: “The Missing Gap: Absence of Revised Laws, Rules, Regulations, Policies, and Effective Monitoring on Emerging Trends in the Nigerian Real Estate Market”.
Emphasising the rapid growth of the Lagos State Real Estate Market and its status as a commercial hub, Odunuga-Bakare stressed the need for updated legislation to foster transparency, fairness, and sustainable growth in the sector
Underscoring LASRERA’s role in promoting accountability and protecting stakeholders’ interests through its regulatory oversight, the Special Adviser noted that LASRERA has been pivotal in registering practitioners and enforcing compliance within the sector.
She highlighted the importance of embracing technological advancements such as the E-GIS digital systems and the state’s land administration portal launched under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
Earlier in her welcome address, the President of FELIREP, Peace Anomneze expressed concern over the outdated regulatory framework currently governing the Nigerian real estate landscape.
She said, “In an era marked by rapid transformations and disruptive technologies, our regulatory framework must remain agile and responsive. The missing gap in our regulatory framework must be bridged towards a future characterised by growth, sustainability, and resilience. The absence of updated laws and regulations not only stifles innovation but also exposes stakeholders to risks and uncertainties”.
Speaking during the Panel Session on the Roles of industry professionals in Regulating the Market and the Legal Barriers Confronted by the Real Estate Developments, and the need for reform, the Group Managing Director, SURU Homes, Mr. Edward Akinlade highlighted a comparison between the approval processes in the real estate sector in the UK and Nigeria, saying that the approval process for real estate projects in Nigeria is not as efficient as expected.
He therefore advised those in the built industry to always use professionals so that corruption can be curbed in the sector.
The conference concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to collaborate closely in advocating for comprehensive reforms in the real estate sector.
Participants agreed on the urgent need for legislative amendments that would foster sustainable development, enhance market credibility, and ensure the sector’s alignment with global best practices.
ALL INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE: WE ARE READY TO ENGAGE ALL LG/LCDAs – GOVERNOR’s AIDE
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Dr. Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen has revealed that the Lagos State Government is ready to engage all Communities in all Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to ensure the prompt delivery of the dividends of good governance and promote civic participation among residents in Lagos State.
He revealed this at the Quarterly Community Development Sensitisation and Enlightenment Programme, organised by the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, on Thursday at the Agege Maternity Centre, Pen Cinema, Agege.
Welcoming the participants, the Special Adviser said that the initiative is in line with the continuous efforts of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to achieve the THEMES Plus Agenda, adding that the sensitisation programme will be held across the five divisions of Lagos State.
Emphasising the importance of community engagement, Afolabi stated that the target is to ensure all State Government policies are passed down to the grassroots while providing insights into ongoing legislative efforts at alleviating the suffering of Lagosians and encouraging active community involvement in development projects of Lagos State.
“It is our responsibility and our mandate to enlighten the citizens of Lagos about the programmes and initiatives that have been embarked upon by the State Government. If we don’t come to the grassroots for engagement such as this, the people will be ignorant of how beneficial these programmes are to them”, he averred.
Appreciating the large turnout at the event, the Special Adviser said that the enthusiasm of the residents in receiving the Office is a testament to the fact that the Lagos State Government has positively impacted their lives and the community at large.
Speaking on the Mandate of the Office, Permanent Secretary of the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Engr. Abiola Kosegbe noted that grassroots development, growth and sustainability of society start with community engagement and sensitisation of the Lagosians on topical initiatives and activities of the State Government.
Reiterating the importance of engaging the Lagos State MDAs on the CitizenGate 2.0 platform, Kosegbe explained that the Citizens Gate App is strategically developed as a ONE-STOP-SHOP for everything about Lagos State, addressing several issues, enquiries, complaints, suggestions, commendations and giving the citizens direct access to the 100 MDAs already on board the platform.
The Vice Chairman of Agege Local Government, Honourable Gbenga Abiola appreciated the Office for partnering with the Local Government, assuring participants that the Local Government is committed to engaging, empowering and ameliorating the suffering of its residents.
While recalling some of the laudable achievements of the Local Government, he said there is an ongoing #100,000 monthly empowerment scheme in the localities over 60 people have benefitted from these interventions, while over 3000 residents of the community have also benefitted from the palliative distribution scheme across the community.
Hon. Abiola therefore urged the State Government to partner with the Local Government, specifically on its “Deradicalization Process”, a scheme where the Local Government take the young touts and area boys away from the streets to rehabilitate, train and employ them as Security Personnel.
The Ward F General Chairman and Obayemo CDA Chairman, Mr. Ewuoso Obayemo, while commending the state government, said the good works of the present administration are evident across the state. He, howeve…
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