To ensure the smooth running of residences to support millions of Nigerians who are observing coronavirus lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and the federal capital territory (FCT), real estate players have urged government to consider exemption of property and facilities management services providers.
Failure to designate property and facilities management services as essential may either force these professionals to have to execute their responsibilities under the strictest conditions or they may be compelled to abandon some or all of their responsibilities, the stakeholders said.
“This could make living conditions unbearable for their clients, leading to potential lawsuits post-COVID19,” Tayo Odunsi, CEO of Northcourt, a real estate advisory real estate firm, said in a recent online discussion tagged remote real estate.
To curtail the spread of the deadly coronavirus, President Muhammadu Buhari directed the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm on Monday, March 30, 2020. The restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two states.
Essential service providers like-healthcare workers, security offices, waste management workers, fire and emergency service workers are however exempted from the lockdown to make the restriction bearable for Nigerians who are not allowed to leave their homes.
“It is important everyone stays at home, but while we do so, a few people need to ensure our stay at home is as bearable as possible. Someone needs to ensure basic amenities such as power, water, security and janitorial services, etc are running smoothly,” Odunsi said.
With a broad spectrum of value chain in Nigeria’s real estate sector, the industry is considered as one that is very diverse, as it does not only entail developing, buying and selling of property, but also includes property and facility management services. These two aspects are cited by industry players as the segments that should be designated as essential services.
According to John Oamen, Co-Founder of LiveVend.com, a real estate price discovery platform, it is understandable that the nation is on lock down as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic but the security and safety of the people is what the lockdown is really about.
“For us to avoid opening another blindspot, certain individuals have to be exempted. We suggest that real estate essential services be part of the exempt. Especially the likes of facility managers, and handymen e.g electricians, plumbers etc.,” Oamen told BusinessDay.
The industry players encouraged government to look into the exemption as the lockdown period will mean there will be a lot more pressure on home appliances considering that more people are mandated to stay at home.
“We have noticed that it is breeding a higher demand on real estate essential services like facility managers. Hence the need for the exemption, the stakeholders said.
“As important as the exempted professionals are, there are professionals that ensure everyone can stay in their homes peacefully and in good state. These professionals are property and facility managers. These two roles, though different, are closely related and are often offered by estate surveyors, engineers, technicians and other professionals in the built environment and hospitality sectors,” Odunsi explained in an e-mail response to a BusinessDay question.
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