PUNCH NEWSPAPER (6TH NOVEMBER)
Headline: Follow Due Process in Building Demolition, Stakeholders Tell Govt.
Stakeholders in the construction industry have urged the government to adhere to due process before demolishing buildings. At an advocacy program organized by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild and the Nigerian Bar Association in Lagos, legal experts emphasized the importance of following the law in building demolitions. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, stated that unless there is an imminent risk of collapse, proper legal procedures, including notices and appeals, should be followed. Other speakers, including Femi Oyedele and Seyi Olawumi, emphasized the need for the government to respect human rights, strengthen the rule of law, and enforce regulations to prevent illegal construction and building collapses. The stakeholders collectively called for a more stringent approach to deter negligent building practices and protect lives and property.
BUSINESSDAY NEWSPAPER (13TH NOVEMBER)
Headline: We Will No Longer Tolerate Abandoned Projects, Minister Tells Controllers
The Nigerian Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has issued a stern warning to federal controllers, stating that the government will no longer tolerate abandoned projects and vandalism. In a recent meeting with housing controllers from across the country, Dangiwa emphasized the need for a new approach, urging officials to actively participate in planning and monitoring processes. He highlighted the importance of protecting national housing projects, addressing issues such as slum upgrading and urban renewal. Expressing concern over numerous abandoned projects nationwide, the minister warned of potential contract revocations for non-compliance. Dangiwa also addressed vandalism and theft, instructing comprehensive reporting and proposing the use of security provisions in project budgets. The Ministry aims to boost housing delivery through collaborations and Public-Private Partnerships to address the housing gap. Controllers called on the minister to address the challenge of poor funding to state offices for better implementation of housing initiatives.
PUNCH NEWSPAPER (20TH NOVEMBER)
Headline: Homeowners Sue Bank Over Forceful Eviction, Demand N4bn
Homeowners from Renaissance Estate in Port Harcourt, Rivers State are suing First Trust Mortgage Bank for N4 billion, alleging gross negligence in their forceful eviction a decade after the property purchase. The lawsuit claims the bank failed to conduct proper due diligence, neglecting existing court judgments on the property. Dr. Doyle Edeni, homeowners’ association chairman, highlighted substantial losses during the sudden eviction. The legal battle seeks compensation and restitution for perceived lapses in protecting property rights