REDAN wants FG’s intervention in high cost of building materials

Housing for all particularly urban dwellers will be a mirage unless the Federal Government intervened in reducing the prices of cement and building materials, the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) said in Ibadan on Saturday.

“The high cost of cement and building materials will only translate to high cost of building,” Mr Taiwo Ogunbodede, the National Vice-President of REDAN said.

Ogunbodede, who is also the Group Chief Executive Officer, of Cross and Churchhill Developing Company, spoke at the launch of West Land Meadows Park situated at Elebu, Oluyole GRA Extension, Ibadan.

He said it was imperative for the government to collaborate with estate developers in the country in a bid to provide affordable houses for its citizens.

“Government alone cannot provide adequate housing and Shelter for its citizens. They need to collaborate with estate developers to assist in building and developing the urban areas.

“The 11th Sustainable Development Goal says we should ensure that cities and human settlements inclusive, are safe, resilient and sustainable.

“Target 11.1 says by 2030 we should ensure access for all adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

“These are the primary goals of our company and the major reason we have been in business for the past 10 years,” he said.

Ogunbodede disclosed that the first phase of their project would start with 100 acres of land which would include building and selling plots of land.

“The first phase of the project is starting on 100 acres of land. We are also selling plots of land where people can build houses according to the prototypes of our company.

“Within this first phase, we have various land specifications affordable and easy payment options for our target class of middle level civil servants and private people.

“Infrastructure like good roads, water, light, and drainage system will be part of amenities that will make the estate unique.

“We are working in collaboration with stakeholders like the original land owners, local governments from the onset so that buyers would not be faced with issues of original land owners molesting them in future.

“The land had been bought from genuine owners and due diligence done on them. All the baales (chiefs), families and local government have been carried along,” he said.

Ogunmodede urged federal and state governments to always fast-track land processing, acquisition and documentations to make land affordable for the people.

He, however, expressed the hope that with Dangote Cement Company expanding its scope of operations and more stakeholders joining the cement business, the cost of cement and other building materials would go down.

The REDAN official also appealed to state and federal governments to assist their workers and ordinary Nigerians to own their houses.