Real estate is not about shinning buildings and
awards/recognition ceremonies, often handed out on a platter and on a whim in
the case of Nigeria. Of all the awards garnered, how come Nigeria real estate
despite array of acclaimed professionals/practitioners remains one of the
least appreciated by locals and foreigners alike?
However, given that
Nigerians are legends in their own mind, no surprise that when confronted with
obvious deplorable and unconscionable situations, they tend to put up
fierce fight or wish it away with some joke?
Real Estate is about the physical environment
of the subject property, in a setting that enhances the property for its use
and enjoyment. When a neighborhood is bad as in most Nigeria situation, it does
not matter how expensive it cost to build the home/house/improvements, it is
down south from that point.
Drainage in Victoria Island
Neighborhood condition is core
determinant for value of real property value and marketability. While Nigeria
professionals/practitioners place weight on how much a property is worth/cost,
US property value is basically determined by neighborhood condition regardless
of what an owner may have put in such investment. Were such neighborhood
condition requirement to apply, one can easily say the entire country of
Nigeria as far as real property is concerned, is a ghetto given that hardly any
neighborhood carries weight in enhancing property value.
In a 2-week visit to Nigeria Nov 20 thru Dec
2, I took time to visit real estate developments in PH, Owerri,
Enugu, Lagos, Lekki, while I saw some impressive developments, majority
are poorly done and so called rich people's neighborhoods are more
like SLUM filled with what easily impressed persons/Nigerians consider as
MANSIONS. It is horrid!
Nigerians' sense of doing well is reflected on how
many cars, how big their house, number of trips abroad, drinking/eating at any
and odd hours, parties for any and all things. Yet, they come out of homes and
houses build on and around smelly and depressing environment. While
Nigeria's physical environment begs attention, private homes of so
called rich, depicts conditions likened to GHETTO. Who will bail the cat?
I often wonder, why Nigerians like FILTH, and become
immune to and numbed by awful conditions that stare at them daily? Who lives
like Nigerians and why is the world largest concentration of black people show
case conditions that help deepen worldwide comments that 'Black folks have challenge getting it
together'?
I am a proud Nigerian by birth and heritage, but
People, can we do better? Parading degrees, titles and honors while the country
is physically depressing is never something that will be overlooked or attract
respect on a global scale. It is right there.
By Admiral Edward Okpa
No comments:
Post a Comment