Kingsley U.N. Chikwendu
At the general meeting of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria [REDAN], FCT Chapter, held last week in Abuja, the Chairman, Mr Osilama Emmanuel Osilama expressed concerns over the negative image the association has attracted from authorities and some members of the public, as a result of the ‘few bad eggs in our midst’.
He added that this has become a worry and challenge to the association to the extent that even major players within the industry are beginning to struggle to protect their good names. This he further said, has in no small way criminalize almost all the ways of doing estate development within the FCT.
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“This [is] to inform us of our worries, problems and challenges with the way the authorities and our customers view us because of few bad eggs in our midst, Osilama stated.
“This has in no small way criminalize almost all the modus operandi of doing estate development within FCT, to the extent that even major players within the industry are beginning to struggle to protect their good names all because of few bad eggs swindling unsuspecting Nigerians of their hard earned money through all manners of promotions and other mediums.
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“We have looked at all the issues affecting real estate development and businesses in the Federal Capital Territory [FCT] critically and we the EXCO, have come up with solutions that will help to address them and curb the excesses of few bad eggs in our midst”, he maintained.
To this end, a disciplinary committee tagged ‘REDAN FCT DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE’ was inaugurated to help sanitize the sector to identify criminals and bring them to book.
Osilama who also acknowledged that REDAN FCT is blessed with seasoned real estate developers who are highly respected in Nigeria and the world, further called for the support of major stakeholders across board to join hands together and succeed.
One of the ways to achieve this, is the Product and Estate Endorsement Scheme which he said hinges on products and processes that meet REDAN’s set of criteria and requirements which the association will certify. In carrying out this task which he described as ‘onerous’, Osilama confirmed that REDAN is working closely with some regulatory institutions and relevant built professional bodies to ensure that products meet international standards, having complied with extant laws and codes.
Amongst others, the FCT Chairman of REDAN asked for better collaboration among developers to promote joint venture business and other business initiative, attend or sponsor their subordinates to participate in REDAN Training/Workshop and National Conferences, promote REDAN’s National Development Agenda and Programs through advocacy without jurisdiction and participate in the proposed REDAN’s housing scheme tagged ‘Rural Urban Housing Initiative [RUHI-774].
