Housing Ministry Trains Staff on Green Building Practices   * Workshop Transformative for our Ministry, housing development - Dangiwa     * Its FG's commitment under President Tinubu to do things differently, adopt global best practices  A 2- day training workshop on Green Buildings Practices for the staff of the technical departments of the ministry of Housing and Urban Development has commenced today, Wednesday, October 30th, 2024.   The workshop was anchored by the Excellence in Design For Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) and a World Bank Group, International Finance Coorporation (IFC), in collaboration with the ministry of Housing and Urban Development.   Declaring open the workshop, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa described the workshop as transformative for the ministry because it's impact will transform the thinking approach of the staff.    Green Building Practice involves designing, constructing and operating buildings in an environmentally friendly manner and aims to provide residents with a comfortable, healthy indoor and outdoor environment.   Dangiwa said  "This administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to doing things differently by adopting global best practices that will improve the lives of the people and their health generally.  The workshop is beyond presentation, rather a  learning experience that will be adopted and will lead to real and tangible improvements in the way we plan and build homes in Nigeria"    He explained that the ministry will set standard and example for other ministries, agencies and even private sectors to emulate, adding that the ministry is ready to embrace green building to create a sustainable future for Nigeria.   Speaking earlier, the IFC EDGE Green Buildings Team Lead, Temilola Sonola, said that, Green Building would support Nigeria to adopt global best practices in order to fight against Climate Change, further disclosing that Nigeria has recorded 31 property developers, financial institutions and investors that have obtained EDGE GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION for a grand total of 35 projects in Nigeria, including diverse building types like hospitals, student accommodation and others.   She further stated that, building and construction sector contributes 40% to global Green Building certification and the factors to it which are rapid growth, urban population and utilization of outdated construction.    Sonola said, " complying with Green Building brings about use of less water, less energy, less waste and less infrastructure which will lead to improved air quality and living conditions. The financial benefits are enamous which includes increase in asset value and cost reduction".   The Permanent Secretary,  Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi in his remarks said, the workshop was timely as so many homes in Nigeria lack access to some of the basic amenities like water and energy among others.   He said, the workshop will help the staff as they comply to boost and improve the livelihood of those that are vulnerable.    ...

Dangiwa Inaugurates Builders Disciplinary Tribunal  … commends CORBON for collaborative engagement with the Ministry. … says Ministry remains committed to supporting stakeholders to meet global standards. Minister of Housing and Urban Development,  Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has inaugurated a seven member Disciplinary Tribunal for Registered Builders of Nigeria, Tuesday,  October 29th, 2024. The Disciplinary Tribunal is charged with the duty of considering and determining any case of infraction by the members referred to it by the panel established by the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) In his inauguration speech, the Minister expressed the Ministry's dedication to collaborate with professional bodies and regulatory agencies in the built environment, in order to ensure that it meets global standards. The tribunal is a part of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON),  empowered with the duty of upholding the standards of the building profession, as well as guarding public safety. Danhiwa disclosed that the inauguration was facilitated by sections 16 (1) and (2) of the Builders Registration Act, Cap B13, LFN 2004 which guides the establishment of the tribunal. While acknowledging the responsibility of builders to construct safe and reliable structures that protect lives, the Minister emphasized on the importance of adhering to regulations and standards in the profession, warning about the catastrophic consequence of compromising safety. “I have always believed that establishing structures, systems and procedures that enforce adherence to professional standards and ethics is crucial"  he said. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the recurring pattern of building collapse across the country, citing the tragic incident which recently occurred in the Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Similarly,  he also stated that the Builders Disciplinary Tribunal is designed to take decisive action on issues concerning gaps in enforcement and professional diligence in the building industry. “Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, negligence, misconduct, or compromise on safety standards will not be tolerated in the building industry” he warned. Accordingly, Arc. Dangiwa commended the CORBON for its collaborative engagement with the Ministry in providing a list of qualified nominees, further charging members of the tribunal to uphold the trust and credibility of the building profession by ensuring that disciplinary cases are managed with integrity, fairness and transparency. “Your decisions will have far-reaching effects, and I trust you to carry out your responsibilities with the diligence and professionalism that this mandate requires”, he said. Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated members, the Chairman of the Registered Builders Disciplinary Tribunal,  Bldr. Samson Ameh Opaluwah Stated that the inauguration of the Tribunal signified a bold statement by the Federal Government of Nigeria through Minister Dangiwa, that professionalization and regulation by law are being further entrenched in the building industry. He assured the Minister that the tribunal would enforce discipline on builders who are found wanting, further promising commitment to the professionalization of the built environment.   ...

FG Issues Ultimatun to Defaulters on Ground Rent Payment * Threatens revocation of CofOs  * Ratifies new rates regime for crops, economic trees compensation  *  Land Revenue vital to delivery of Renewed Hope Agenda - Dangiwa    The Federal Government has given a 60-day notice to owners of it's Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) to comply with the payment of ground rent as well as statutory charges or risk having their CofOs revoked.    Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa sounded this warning in a keynote address at the 29th Conference of Directors of Lands in the Federal and States' Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024    The theme for the 29th conference is “Equitable Land Stewardship: Challenges  of Land Administration and it's Impact on Climate Change  and Community Rights"   The Minister decried the failure of owners of titled properties to pay ground rent and other statutory charges to the Ministry for several years now, saying that such acts hampers the ability of the government to maximize the revenue earning potential of its landed assets.   “This non-compliance has resulted in the loss of trillions of naira in revenue to the Federal Government. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed, Tinubu, this cannot be tolerated as this revenue is much needed to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda to Nigerians”, he added.   In addition, Dangiwa also warned that the refusal of some residents association of Federal Government landed properties to allow staff of the Ministry access to their various estates for billing purposes and enforcement of non-payments as outlined in their respective C of Os, would attract appropriate penalties and sanctions going further.   While admitting that the level of land administration was still in a state of emergency with issues such as the obsolete Land Use Act of 1978, lengthy, expensive, and complicated land titling and registration processes, limited access to land information, Conflicting land laws and policies, lack of formal land titles, among others, Dangiwa stated that Ministry has prioritized land governance issues and taken significant steps to make a difference.   Accordingly,  the minister outlined some of the steps such as the establishment of a new regime of revised rates for crops and economic trees that is fair, equitable, and provides adequate compensation to persons affected by government projects, formulation of Land Reforms Task Team to critically review, audit, and develop approaches to operationalize the Land Use Act.   In addition to this, he revealed that the Land Reform task force has prepared a preliminary report that highlights the need for the establishment of a National Land Commission as the launch point for implementing the Land Use Act and ensuring the synchronization of state land registries.   Other steps taken are the upscaling of the Electronic Certificate of Occupancy (e-C of O) and Land Titling System that incorporates a web-based Advanced Workflow System (WNABS) and an Electronic Documentation Management System (EDMS) for all federal government-owned lands in the 36 states of the country;    To this effect, the Minister gladly announced an award of ‘Best MDA in Innovative Technology’ for 2024 given to the Ministry by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, in recognition of the Ministry’s efforts to leverage technology for improved land management. Accordingly, he highlighted the Ministry’s partnership with the World Bank to implement the Land and Urban Development component of the Nigeria-Urban Livability and Mobility Programme which aims to enhance the design and implementation of development policies and programs in selected Nigerian cities, as well as foster greater livability, competitiveness, and resilience.   In contribution to this partnership, Arc. Dangiwa noted the Ministry’s effort by organizing a national workshop on ‘Nigeria Livable Cities’ which brought together representatives from the national government and state commissioners of housing, land, and urban development from ten selected cities: Lagos, Kano, Ibadan, Rivers, Edo, Anambra, Abia, Kaduna, Plateau, and Borno.   The Minister also reiterated an upcoming groundbreaking partnership with the World Bank to address over 90% of unregistered land in the country with an estimated $300 billion in dead capital.   He stated some of the achievements which which the partnership aims at to include registration, documentation and titling of all land parcels within five years, increasing the formalization of land transactions, development and launch a National Digital Land Information System (NDLIS); among others. Dangiwa further charged the Directors of Land in various States as well as Heads of Housing Development Institutions, and regulatory bodies to play their respective roles in order to implement solutions to the issues hampering effective land administration and governance.   Earlier in his Address, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi expressed excitement in the theme of the Conference, in the sense that as it speaks to some of the most pressing issues of land administration, climate change, and the protection of community rights, facing the Nation, the continent and the world at large.   While noting that Land is a fundamental resource for development and provides the basis for Agriculture, Housing, industry and Infrastructures, He emphasized on the need for collaboration between Federal and State Agencies, Local Communities and International Partners, in order to design land administration frameworks that will promote equity, sustainability and resilience, as well as promote economic growth and environmental sustainability.   Ogunbiyi conveyed his confidence that the insights shared at the conference would contribute to the development of robust policies that advance equitable land stewardship across Nigeria and the African continent.   Also in his welcome address, the Director of the Department of Lands and Housing Development, Mr. Collin’s Alabi Esv, noted that stewardship of land, which is one of most precious resources, required careful management and equitable distribution.   “As we face rising pressures from urban expansion, population growth, and the effects of climate change, it becomes crucial that land administration processes are efficient, transparent, and inclusive”, he stated.   He disclosed that discussions at the conference would explore ways to balance the pressures from urban expansion, population growth, and the effects of climate change.   Mr. Alabi further encouraged the participants to actively engage in the sessions, share their experiences, and collaborate towards the development of solutions that will shape the future of Land Administration for generations to come.   ...