To further unlock real estate potentials in the country, economists and real estate practitioners from Nigeria and other countries have advocated for the removal of bottlenecks that hinder local and international investments in the sector.

The experts, who spoke at a business forum organized by the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI), Nigeria chapter, called for holistic reforms in the ease of doing business that align economic growth with population growth rate and development impact on Nigerians.

They also sought ease of secured property rights/ portability of titles, registration systems that enable people to provide reliable data for investors, transparency in the sector and enforcement of right policies in the built sector.

Core elements of the property markets in any developed economy include ease of property rights, access to credit, effective governance of the industry, appropriate regulation and financial transparency. However, the majority of these indicators, are a far cry from being well entrenched in the industry.

Speaking on the theme, “Ease of doing “business” real estate perspective (series two), a former World Bank economist and founder, Thought for Action, Ms. Elena Panaritis, explained that real estate is a fundamental indicator for growth in any economy as land and labor are two basic factors for production.

She said when the two basic factors are well established; secured, well traded correctly in a formal manner; there would be progress towards the industrial revolution in the economy.

“The lack of secure property rights and lack of secured registration system which enable people to provide data hinders who wants what, and who owns what. When a country successfully trades land and labor in a formal manner, then the country would become a developed economy. You can’t just put land in the pocket and you trade things. The moment when the two factors are traded correctly, there is no doubt that the economy will evolve. All countries have land and labor but the technologies, human capital, and innovations move away because the robustness of the initial layer for economic growth is not there and not sustained.”

“The reason why real estate is one of the indicators of development is that it incorporates two basic factors of production which include, land and labor and so when we say a country is developed, its real estate is sustainable and focused.”

In the doing business indicators, it is so important to understand that they are holistic, you can’t just take one indicator out of isolation. While making trends of reforms in Nigeria, she said authorities should generate development trust for investment to be attracted”, she stated.

Panaritis who was the guest speaker, expressed concerns that Nigeria has huge land and labor capacity, yet its growth rate is small at about two percent and its sustainability is questionable. She observed that despite the reality that the country has already moved 39 places on the improvement in the ease of doing business; this needs to trickle down to changes that would attract serious investment.

“Nigeria should become the engine for growth and with about 206 million population, become a leading economy in Africa.”

The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Ease of Doing Business, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole said there is no better time to be in real estate than now.

According to her, the new finance bill of 2019 been worked on by the Federal Government, has provisions for reform in real estate investment tax , so that players wouldn’t have a problem with the issue of double taxation.

Oduwole said a lot of reforms are on-going to promote the ease of doing business in Nigeria, while a number of states are already making progress especially, in the south, southeast, southwest and the north on the ease of doing business. “We have a lot of state governments starting with Lagos, decentralising different procedures/processes and using automation in getting titles and construction permits. We need more engagement with stakeholders because a lot of stakeholders don’t know about these reforms, which have been in existence as far back as two years ago. When we know about the reforms that are available in the sector, then we get to feel the impact on the economy.”

Recalling his experience in the sector, developer/Chief Executive Officer, TAF Holding Company, Mr. Mustapha Njie stressed the need for eight policy, regulation, and enforcement for much growth in the industry.

For the World President of FIBACI, Mr. Wallis Moussa, there was the need to open up the real estate sector to the international market.

“One of the things that really impress me about Nigeria is the ability to accept foreigners to come, work, make money and shared the fortunes back to their countries, that is very uncommon.

“The reason where FIBACI exists is to provide access and opportunity for members to share knowledge, and information and conduct international business with each other’’, he said.

President, Fibaci-Nigeria, Adeniji Adele said the forum was organized to create a platform for addressing issues and challenges affecting the real estate space in Nigeria with the sole aim of providing viable solution s that will improve the industry, and attract international investors for a mutually beneficial business relationship for international and institutional private investors.

“This fifth edition is a continuation of our theme for 2019, which is a deliberate intent for us to measure the progress of our journey in our pursuit to make a significant impact in the built industry and Nigeria”, he said.

Earlier, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu who was represented by the Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu Fatai said the conversation on ease of doing business in the sector was a welcome development as a means to create more opportunities from the industry.

The real estate sector, he said was key to achieving sustainable economic development objectives, in a fast-growing economy such as Lagos. According to him, ‘we can’t talk about strategies to bridge the housing deficits without addressing the issues related to the sector especially in Lagos state with the smallest land size but the largest population in Nigeria.’

source:  Victor Gbonegun