The Chairman Board of Trustees, Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Prince Seyi Lufadeyu, has inaugurated a caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of REDAN, FCT Chapter, after the tenure of the EXCO expired.

The Association’s election was initially slated to hold yesterday, but it was later cancelled and an interim management committee was set up to run the affairs of the association.

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Speaking during an interview with Housing News in Abuja, the Chairman, Management Caretaker committee of REDAN, FCT Chapter,and Chairman/CEO,AIBEN Group, Andy Elewere, noted that the mandate of the committee is to ensure that real estate developers are interested in the affairs of (REDAN), as this will enable developers interface with government, and be seen as partners especially in the area of housing development.

He said ‘’We need to change the perception and narrative that we have particularly from the government point of view, government needs to start seeing estate developers as strategic partners, because housing is very key.’’

‘’One of the basic responsibilities of government is providing shelter, and we are one of the tools through which shelter can be provided. So it is key that they see us as strategic partners’’.

‘’Usually the narrative has always been that a Real Estate developer is just a businessman, who is all about maximizing profit, but we are saying they should see beyond that, because the kind of services we provide are essential services’’.

Speaking further, he noted that government need to carry REDAN members along in the formulation of policies especially in the area of housing.

He said ‘’for far too long, we have not been consulted, nobody refer to us, government just see us as an institution that is not necessary to consult when they are making far reaching policies’’.

Other members of the committee are Okoduwa Ehidioya,who was inaugurated as the Secretary, while Bolaji Oluwasegun Victor emerged as the Publicity Secretary.

The caretakers were given the responsibility to manage the affairs of the union until new election is conducted.

Source: Affa Acho