Realtor Kayode Olabode is a Realtor.He is a Property Consultant and Manager.A few days ago,he told Citypeople Online why he chose to go into Real estate business.Below are excerpts of the interview.
Please introduce yourself and what you do……….
I’m Realtor Kayode Olabode.I am into Property Consultancy and Management. I also have an Incorporated Not for Profit/Non- Governmental(NGO)organisation called, Africa Heritage Focus Initiative International, whose aims and objectives include to protect and promote Africa cultural heritage globally through Tourism.
I am a Senator in the making who hails from Atakumosa West local government, Ilesa in Osun state and based in Lagos .
What do Realtors do? Please educate us…………
Realtors, play key roles in the lives of individuals and societal developmental growth at large. It is beyond mere buying, selling and managing of clients landed property. It is the duty of Realtor, to source for property on behalf of his or her prospective buyer at a choice area. That meet up the client taste and is suitable for his or her buyer’s budget.
It is also the duty of a Realtor. To verify the title and all the mandatory documents of the property with the regulatory government authorities. Realtors, also help in the processing of all the necessary documents for properties from the appropriate authorities. Realtors do help in bringing developmental growth to the rural area by sourcing for investors and providing avoidable luxury homes, standard private schools, medical centres, mini-mart with the necessary amenities that make living, comfortable and enjoyable e.g 24-hour power supply, good road network within rural community. These entice both the local, foreign investors and tourists to invest and always visit such rural area.
In doing this, Realtors engaged professional experts for the project, that provides job for both skills and unskilled youths within the rural. This leads to civilisation and boost the economic growth of such rural area.
What are your impressions on the recent Ikoyi building collapse?
Hmmmm…it is very unfortunate and sad event. May God almighty forgive the victims of their sins and rest their soul in peace. Amen.
Sincerely speaking, from the facts available in print and social media,both the documents and videos, make one to believe it is practically human errors. Without mincing words, the developer, late Femi Osibona, of that project is the cause and is responsible for the irreplaceable loss of lives and huge investment.
It is very unfortunate, that the developer of the project who is obviously responsible for the colossal loss didn’t survive the incident. He should have been debrief by the Lagos state government and made to face the consequences of not having respect and regards for Construction Code.
The approval document available stated 15 floors but he increased it to 21floors. There is No proof if he actually sought for the approval of the additional 6 floors,but added to the 15 floors foundation structure.,
It is on record that, on the 20th February 2020, the structural consultancy Prowess Engineer company Limited, withdrew from the project, and stated that “they no longer share the same vision in executing the project. As they do not have access to the test cub result of the third building as they can only guarantee the first two building” .
The late developer attest to this in his interview with the TVC. He said and i quote “i stopped listening to the experts professional advice”. It is on record that he resisted, frustrated the constituted authorities and Lagos state government in ensuring he complied with the building construction standard.
He was eventually arrested on the site and the building sealed. He had his way by getting it unsealed yet reneged to take to corrections. This shows his level of arrogance and lawlessness.
It is disappointing because it’s avoidable by all means. If the officialdom efforts was not thwarted by the power that be and man knows man,it won’t have happened.
Why did you choose to become a realtor?
I ventured into Real Estate, because it is a noble profession that helps in community developmental growth. As a Prince from rural area in Ilesa, I have passion to make my home town a place to be, one day by God’s grace.
And the only way to actualise the dreams is through real estate. I hope to become like Malik Riaz Hussain, a successful Pakistan Realtor who is the founder of Bahrian Town,the largest private real estate company in Pakistan and Asia.
How can we stop Building Collapse?
It is easy to prevent building collapse by putting the following in place.
Every player in real estate business, the developer in particular should adhere strictly with the statutory building regulations. You must comply with the building construction in your geographical location. Adhere to the national building code,and the 2006 Land use act, 2004 town planning Laws.
It is mandatory to perform soil test. The Estate developer must engage the service of registered geotechnical engineers. These determine the bearing capacity of the soil. This helps all the consultants determine the building weight the soil can withstand.
You must hire a qualified Structural Engineer, fully registered member of a regulatory body of engineers such as COREN and NSE.
That can offer proper structural designs ideal for building size, floor, height to withstand the total weight of the building.
In conclusion,the only solution is for government to be proactive, not reactive. The Physical Planning Act 2007 made provisions enough to prevent such occurrence but many of the agencies staffers jettison it, compromise value and allow what not to be, to be, and there would be consequences at the end of the day.
Except holistic review of such attitudes are done ,we will keep having same problem. It’s not that there are not laws, but implementation and enforcement is the problem and this ends up putting us in two flanks position as country and citizens. While they applied same rule and laws to issue of same circumstances when its less privilege in the society, they cover up for the elites. As Nigerians let patriotism be our hallmark. Let’s use Rotary Club’s 4 Way Test ,as our guiding rule. Let our dealing be the Truth, Fair, and Build Goodwill that will be beneficial to all concerned in our day to day activities.
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