Lagos Calls for Effective Use of Intermodal Transportation System as Real Estate Stakeholders Vow to Reduce Housing Deficit at 5th Lagos Real Estate Marketplace

The Lagos State Government says it is determined to maximise the use of intermodal transportation system in order to upscale socio-economic activities in the metropolis as well as reduction in manhour loss to traffic.

The state Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi stated this during his presentation at the closing of the 5th Lagos Real Estate Marketplace held at Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said that the current situation where 90% of transportaion in Lagos are done on the road is unacceptable adding water and rail catered for 2% thereby grossly underutilized.

According to him, since Lagos account for 30% of the country’s GDP, every sector must be up and doing in contributing their quota to the well-being of the people.

Osiyemi who was speaking on Infrastructure and Transportation for a Green Lagos expressed worry that traffic congestion cost the state trillions of naira yearly.

He noted that the future is to build eco friendly Lagos that will have fewer cars on the road in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of Governor Sanwo-Olu led administration.

During the first panel session, the moderator, Architect Emmanuel Abikoye on affordable Housing and Sustainable Design called for strong collaboration between government and Realtors while stressong the need to fully understand the industry and do more of modular construction.

Abikoye who is the President Billionaire Realtors Group noted that people from all over the country come to Lagos regularly because of enormous opportunities.

One pf the panelists, Architect Emmanuel Falude, the Director, Green Building Council of Nigeria said that availability of materials in the market is part of the reason responsible for affordable housing.

He also stressed the need for stakeholders in the built sector to have knowledge about the market and the design that is sustainable to meet the demands of the people.

Falude was of the view that the cost of production is a determinant factor necessary for unit cost of housing when completed.

He disclosed that the Building council is open to provide support to Developers at no cost adding their goal is to provide a peaceful and sustainable society.

Also speaking on the panel, Collins Clifford want
Government to subsidize the cost of land for affordable housing to all.

He belives that availability of access road will also open so many hinterland in parts of the state thereby decongesting the city in the process.

Collins Clifford concluded that low income housing for the middleclass is achievable using local materials during the construction process.

In her words, Eng. Stella Okengwu, CEO Winhomes said that the current economic situation requires that housing should be built on a clear cut demands that will meet the budget of the people.

She noted that the developed countries also use rubber ties to ceramics that reduced cost to about 20%.

Stella Okengwu disclosed that high cost of materials increase cost of production and eventual cost at the end adding the practitioners must look inward and attend to the need of their customers.

She denanded that the energy crisis in the country must be looked into, adding that the developed society accord conscious effort in maintaining their energy consumption.

The CEO of Winhomes also advised those in the industry to maximize the options of Solar by negotiating with relevant companies and provide affordable repayment plans for their Clients.

The Theme of the 5th Lagos Real Estate Marketplace Conference and Exhibitions is : Reimaging Lagos Landscape; Ensuring Sustainable Real Estate Development Practices.