By Ben Atonko
As tenure of the erstwhile president of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Mr Ugochukwu Chime elapsed on February 26, 2020, Viewpoint Housing News takes a look at happenings in the premier estate developers’ body and impact it has made on Nigeria’s economy in the past five years. Chime, a reputable surveyor has been around the real estate for quite a long time. We therefore, look at the questions: How much change has Chime made as REDAN president? Has he achieved the goal he set for his administration? Are REDAN members any better under Chime’s headship?
Chime, founding member of REDAN was elected president in February, 2015 in Abuja. In 2018, he was re-elected for second term, leading an exco of 19 persons.
His administration’s goal was to shore up affordable housing stock and provide decent accommodation to low and middle income Nigerians. Indeed, affordable housing has been the hardest nut to crack. Even though governments upon governments have mouthed it, it has always been a mirage.
It was also Chime’s dream to enlarge membership and build a strong and virile REDAN. He expressed desire to tackle the low morale of the average developer lamenting that “The despair, despondency and hopelessness caused by both the socio-economic environment and the vicissitudes of rapid political changes negatively and gravely impacted on us and our industry.”
The administration sought upscaling of skills in the construction industry through artisans training and enhancement of professionalism through conferences and workshops. All this was intended to make members of REDAN standardize their processes and products for durability and integrity of buildings.
To improve competencies of artisans and other direct home construction personnel for construction of quality and durable homes, Chime partnered Construction Skills Training and Empowerment Programme (C-STEmp) for their training and retraining. Chime is board member of C-STemp. Unlike years ago, when artisans outside Nigeria were taking up construction jobs at the expense of Nigerians, now many artisans are getting jobs. It is this effort that has moved the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) to take up artisanal training programme across the country.
The economic downturn has negatively impacted the real estate sector, therefore, Chime’s efforts to enlarge REDAN membership yielded very little result. As a way of encouraging developers to stay in the association and more to join, the backlog of annual subscriptions up to 2014 were waived.
In order to tackle rancour and unhealthy struggle for leadership positions, REDAN under Chime reviewed its constitution. The constitution was couched to reflect common standards set by similar professional bodies. Mainly, the document enabled smooth transition from one executive to another. The reviewed constitution which came in 34 pages was ratified on 10th March, 2016.
Worried by problems of the real estate sector in Nigeria, REDAN in 2017 initiated what it called National Real Estate Data Collation Management Programme (NRE-DCMP). It was designed to provide information on land title documents, building costs and housing market conditions. At the end, Chime in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and housing stakeholders produced what became known as the real estate databank in an 80-page document with the name of the programme changed to Nigeria Real Estate Data Collation Management Programme (NRE-DCMP). The most interesting thing about this is it captured off-takers demographics and income which are very useful for policy formulation and developers’ decision making. This was officially unveiled at Third REDAN Building Expo in Abuja in May 2019. It is one of the biggest legacies of the Chime-led REDAN.
Another remarkable achievement of the former president is the progress of work on the proposed REDAN headquarters building project. After securing a parcel of land from the Abuja Property Development Company, a parastatal of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) at Kaba District, Kubwa Expressway, Abuja, the process of building REDAN’s house commenced in earnest. While soliciting funds from members for the project, Chime himself pledged N25 million (the highest so far) out of which he has paid about 60 percent. Chime was passionate about getting a befitting building for REDAN.
It should also not be forgotten that Chime is a man who remembers and honours great men. It was his idea that the pioneer president of REDAN, Lateef Jakande who is known to have contributed quite significantly to the housing sector be honoured. In November, 2019, he led the association to Lagos where Jakande was given acclamation. Jakande, the first Civilian Governor of Lagos State and Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime is known to have made huge impact on Nigeria’s housing sector. Chime conferred on Jakande Life Patron status and instituted Annual Lecture Series in his (Jakande’s) name. Jakande’s passion for housing as Lagos State governor from 1979 to 1983 has earned him the appellation Housing Icon. “The decision was informed by the need for the association to celebrate a man whose achievements in the housing sector remain unrivaled,” Chime said.
In order to develop the capacity of members, many workshops were organized. Apart from training them on best construction practices, they have been given financial literacy and taught how to be enlisted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Chime himself imparted knowledge as he gave talks at different gatherings.
Chime, a long registered member of Surveyors Registration Council of Nigeria (SURCON) is a renowned developer. Being a professional on land matters, he has always known where to hit when construction bottlenecks rear their ugly heads. He is not only a developer but passionate about housing. His monumental work as shown in the numerous housing estates he has built in the south-east of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are a clear testimony of his wonderful contributions in the housing sector. Not only a builder, Chime can be conveniently called a Teacher. As stated above, he has organised numerous training events and has by himself done a couple of teachings at different fora. Obviously, his headship of REDAN was very resourceful, impacting and eventful. Aliyu Wamakko who succeeds Chime definitely has big shoes to wear.
