Monday
In the last few weeks, no less than 7 large gated residential
estates in the VI and Lekki areas including private homes have been invaded by
armed robbers. This then begs the question everyone has been asking, why are we
paying for security guards, if they are not effective in providing security for
our homes? Last week, the biggest
private estate in Lagos, had armed robbers enter the estate, it was alleged
that a security guard was shot and killed, but all other information has been
sketchy. What is interesting is how the power of social media came into play.
Within seconds of the the attack, blackberry, text and whatsapp messages were
being delivered to thousands of phones. I was with a friend whose husband was
on the said estate visiting a friend, when the message came in on my phone. He
left the estate immediately my friend called him, but because the estate has
closed its gates in a ploy to trap the robbers, no one was able to get in or
out for at least three hours. The
robbers were not found, although security on that estate is now tighter than it
has ever been.
Armed robbers are now venturing into previously
safe havens, like gated estates and quiet upscale residential areas. Nowhere
seems safe any longer. Estates are now employing the use mobile policemen, who
carry loaded guns and patrol the estates. God help us all!
Tuesday
The media was awash today with pictures of the damage and injury caused by
last weekend’s armed robbery gun fire frenzy on some estates along the Lekki
Expressway. A resident was mistakenly shot 5 times by policemen who arrived
after an hour after a distress call had been made to the local police station.
The police armoured van that arrived at one of the estates, came under a
barrage of machine gun fire from the armed robbers. Residents on estates are
now worried that there seems to be no security available for them, either from
the security guards or from the police.
Wednesday
The Lagos State Government has asked all property owners whose
properties are located along major roads, to ensure they are repainted and
repaired before the Christmas holidays. This is probably a means to ensure the
environment looks neater and cleaner than it does at present. There is a severe
lack of maintenance of buildings, every here in the state.
Thursday
The Airport road in Ikeja, has deteriorated so rapidly and badly, that
it is now a danger to vehicles plying that road, especially travellers going to
and from the airport. The airport is a window into the country and says a lot
to visitors coming into Lagos for the first time. Urgent attention must be
given to repairing the road and clearing the oil tankers on parked on the road.
Friday
It is quite depressing to hear that there is a deficit of 17 million
affordable homes in the country. I am sure that the figure is much higher than
this, if one was to look at the number of family members or friends, who are
permanent visitors in other people’s homes. This issue was raised at the recent
Housing Summit conference, held in Lagos this week. There is no real incentive
from the Government to help push forward the policies and funding for this
sector.
Mortgage institutions are not lending, and in the few instances they do,
the interest rates are over 20% and not sustainable, therefore leading to a
vicious cycle of non repayment of loans and banks withholding affordable
mortgage packages. There was a call for the government and stakeholders to
ensure the implementation of the newly approved National Housing Policy
document.
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