By Kingsley Adegboye

Brains and Hammers, a renowned real estate development company, weekend delivered a mixed housing development comprising 101 units of housing types called CoopEast Beach Resort which cost estimate is put at N5.6 billion. The sprawling residential estate is located behind NICCON Town, Lekki.

This is even as Lagos state Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu Fatai, has tasked Brains and hammers to put into consideration low income group in its housing development agenda.

The Commissioner who gave the charge weekend at the formal handing over of COOPEAST Beach Resort, said the state government is committed to creating enabling environment for developers in the state to thrive, just as the government is ready to encourage partnership with private sector to construct affordable houses for Lagosians.

The breakdown of the housing types which construction commenced in August 2019, include 70 terraces; a block of six flats comprising three-bedroom each, 14 fully detached houses and eight semi-detached houses.

The estate, which sits on a three-hectare land space (30,000 sqm), has facilities such as a gym, water treatment plant, six transformers, swimming pool, recreation area and a mini-mall.

The project, built in partnership with the Cooperative Societies of International Oil and Gas Companies, Shell, and ExxonMobil,  had a 50 percent buy-in of Shell Cooperative Society; 20 percent buy-in of ExxonMobil Cooperative Society and 30 percent buy-in from individuals. All apartments are completely sold out.

At the official commissioning and handing over of the keys to the Cooperative Societies, Mr. Omo Osobase, the Chief Operating Officer (West,) Brains and Hammers Plus, noted that the project is a testament to the three fundamental tenets of the company- to be the partner of choice by private and public organizations; develop projects that meet best global practices and provide a sense of investment and humane comfort for its clients.

“When we announced this first-of-its-kind real estate development partnership with the cooperative societies of Shell and ExxonMobil in the third quarter of 2019, we were very clear on the task ahead and the audacity of our ambition. This ambition was solidly rooted in our determination to deliver not just high quantity, but quality housing units built to the best global practice and at a price that would not break the bank despite the unique location.

“Despite the onslaught of Covid-19 and the very volatile economic situation in the country between 2020 and today, we have weathered the storm to deliver this project below the projected 24 months construction time line. Today, we have commissioned units of three-bedroom flats, four-bedroom terrace duplex, four-bedroom Semi-Detached Duplex, and five bedroom Detached Duplex with BQ’s,” Osobase said.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of Brains and Hammers, Mr. Adebola Sheidu, noted that the firm is on a mission to reshape the residential and commercial real estate landscape in Nigeria.

He said the company has proven this with 10,000 completed projects in Abuja, Kano, Lagos, and  Oyo States.

Sheidu further stressed that the Kano Economic City and the Oyo State Agri-business industrial hub projects are two projects that speak to the importance of Public-Private Partnership for the company.

“I am proud of our work on this project, and my sincere thanks to our partners, Shell, and ExxonMobil cooperatives. They not only trusted in our ability but showed a great sense of belief in our resolve to complete this project in record time despite the pandemic and economic challenges of the last two years,” he said.

The President, Shell Cooperative, Martins Amos, expressed his delight with the project and showered encomium on Brains and Hammers for the professionalism displayed while delivering this project.

“Despite the economic challenges, Covid-19, and the hitches that came with the End-SARS protest, I am delighted to stand here today to celebrate the commissioning of this project. Collectively, we achieved this feat on the back of a partnership built on trust and we are proud to be a part of it,” he said.

CoopEast Resort Estate by Brains and Hammers provides residents with a serene beach view, private garden areas, dedicated transformer to aid the 24-hours electricity supply, a fully independent water supply and treatment facility and a 24-hour help desk and residents-only-clubhouse among other facilities.