By Jude Njoku

The greatest challenge for the management of Lagos and similar cities is how to make its running costs affordable and compatible with the earning capacity of its citizens.

This view was expressed  last weekend in Lagos by a veteran architect and retired university don, Prof John Godwin at the launch of the maiden edition of Property Digest, a bi-annual journal of CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Company Limited, CMB.

Prof Godwin who is the Principal Partner of GHK-Architects, lauded CMB for looking at under developed areas near the Central Business District CBD, such as Ebute Metta and Yaba to provide less costly solutions to accommodation, particularly suited to the middle-classes. With this in mind, he faulted “the costly reclamation of Eko Atlantic City, with all its access and infrastructural problem”.

Prof Godwin who was the guest speaker at the launch of the Digest, also faulted the pattern of development in the Lekki corridor.

His words: “Many shiny new developments which you see today, particularly on Lekki Peninsula (presently the preferred location) are badly built “cheek by jowl” estates set in concrete deserts without any vegetation to relieve the harsh environment which man has created”. He charged property developers to the environment, adding that “this starts with a commitment to excellence on the part of those responsible for creating it”.

The veteran architect who decried the lack of maintenance culture in Nigeria, recalled that Lagos Island was a clean, pleasant and sustainable neighbourhood where open spaces existed and the water front was not bastardized. He praised CMB for being one of the private developers who have resolved to encourage good design and importance of maintaining it.

“Lagos has to redevelop a pride in its buildings and the environment around them in consonance with the efforts which the State government is initiating in terms of planning for the future to cope with the predicted population figures now being attained. These are expected to reach 24.5 million by the year 2015. Obviously, growth will not stop there and all infrastructures must be planned to meet the challenges in transport, roads, drainage and refuse disposal as well as the power consumption and water supply,” he said.

Also speaking at the launch, the Managing Director of CMB Mr Kelechukwu Mbagwu said Property Digest is aimed at informing the general public of the happenings within the property industry, offer an insight into major stakeholders’ opinion on the industry as well as provide a road map into investing in real estate.