S/West REDAN Solicit Support of Housing Providers

Tosin Clegg

Executive Members of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, (REDAN) South West Region have solicited the support of developers in their quest to house Nigerians.
The executive members made the appeal when they paid a courtesy visit to Nedcomaks properties MD, Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo.

Discussing the main reason for their visit, Barrister Taiwo Ogunbodede said they had come mainly to foster the growth and development of REDAN and solicit for his support for their mandate.
Responding, Dr. Okonkwo said, “It is quite saddening that the government sees developers as wealthy people, hence little attention is paid to the sector.

“Real estate needs to start getting financing from the government like some other industries too. This collaborative effort will go a long way to ease the burden of sole developing. He further encouraged the Executives not to be weary but maintain focus. He further tasked them to engage more stakeholders and get them involved in policy making,”

He said, “REDAN is managed by qualified and capable people, yet we need to bring more people on board as big things can be achieved with big numbers. Issues are the same everywhere and a well-structured association can thrash the issues and make headways.”

Executive members of REDAN also spoke about the bureaucracy involved in getting the necessary approval for construction and government coming up with different policies without due consultation. Some of these policies make it difficult for their association and its members.

They called on government to be more attentive and ensure due consultation before developing a policy on real estate.

A Top Executive of REDAN also spoke about their particular demands from the government and association’s resolution. He said, “We want government to enact a law that we will regulate the affairs of developers in the country whereby those that are not registered member of REDAN should not be allowed to practice as a developer in the country because only a professional certified members should be the ones to carry out construction works in the country. Allowing every Dick and Harry to function as a developer in the country without adequate certification is dangerous to the industry and that’s why we are experiencing building collapsing in some part of the country even about six buildings collapsed in Lagos state. Secondly, as an Association, we are looking forward to having a structure where programme can be design for our members and well structured facilities for Developers and the Nigeria people as it is obtainable in the developed countries. Thirdly, REDAN as an association should associate itself with the local developers in the country because they need to be carried along; it was observed that “They feel neglected” as some of them (The local developers) feels the association is for the rich developers alone.

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