Lagos Commissioner, Toke Benson, Proffers Solutions Challenging Tourism Industry ...Holds Stakeholders' Engagement To harness Businesses in the sector

...Holds Stakeholders' Engagement To harness Business in the sector

AgegePulse Magazine 

The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka today organized  a stakeholders in hospitality sector to proffer solutions challenging the Tourism sector in the state.

Lagos Commissioner, Toke Benson, Proffers Solutions, Challenging Tourism Industry,

The program, Themed: Addressing Current Industry Challenges, Exploring Emerging Trends, Understanding Policy Frameworks and Unveiling Collaborative Opportunities Within The Entire Hospitality Value Chain at  Zinnia Hall, Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka said The hospitality sector plays a vital role in the economic development of Lagos State. This sector does not only provide employment to thousands but also serves as a gateway for showcasing our rich cultural heritage, vibrant arts scene, and unparalleled hospitality. 

Commissioner on Tourism, Mrs. Toke-Benson, Awoyinka

"It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to this important engagement session with tourism stakeholders in the hospitality sector and I feel honored to address you today on the critical issues, emerging trends, and opportunities within our industry.

Discussants

"We are all not unaware of the significant challenges our industry faces, from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic to evolving customer expectations and increased competition. 

Attendants

"With this gathering, we want to address these challenges head-on. We must adapt to the changing landscape by embracing new technologies and sustainable practices.

"Emerging trends in this sector such as digital transformation, eco-tourism, and personalized customer experiences are reshaping the way we operate. It is imperative that we stay ahead of these trends to remain competitive and relevant.

"In Lagos State, we are committed to creating an enabling environment for the hospitality sector to thrive. Our policy frameworks are being continually reviewed to ensure they support growth, innovation, and sustainability. We are also focused on improving infrastructure, enhancing security, and promoting Lagos as a prime tourist destination. 

We strive to make the industry, as with other climes, data driven, through the capturing of the entire hospitality sector on a database we can also share with the rest of the world.  We are digitizing our registration processes and would no longer operate manually in this capturing process. 

"You must also agree with me that data is important not only for growth and expansion but also for SECURITY of lives and property within and around your establishments. 

We seek your cooperation in this very important exercise as we strive to make it seamless as the methodology would be communicated to you accordingly. 

"The fact remains that collaboration is key to achieving our objectives. By working together, we can create a seamless and memorable experience for tourists who depend on such data in that critical decision on destination choice.

The sanctity and safety of your establishment also comes into focus, drugs, vices and environmental nuisances play a major role and such must be curbed to further make us a destination of choice and enhance Lagos as a LIVE WORK AND PLAY environment. 

"You will agree with me that this gathering is long over due considering happenings in the hospitality sector, emerging trends and the need for us to always share views on how to improve this sector and continue to operate inline with acceptable best practices

Addressing to gathering with the topic , Enhancing Compliance in the Hospitality Sector, The GM Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, Special Adviser on Transport, Hon. Shola Giwa, Chairman, LIRS, Mr. Ayodele Subaru, Special Adviser on Tax, Mr. AbdulKabir Ogungbo and GM LASEPA, Dr. Tunde Ajayi among others expressed feeling of making a tourism sector a collaborative opportunities within the Hospitality value chain.

They advised Lagosians To Explore Tourism and  Water Transportation as part of activities to curb traffic congestion in Lagos with the effort of Mr. Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu investing hugely to ensure water transportation is safe for all.

Issues of multiple Taxation, Land Use Charge, noise pollution, illegal parking, noise pollution, and policies endangering an healthy business environment were all discussed.

In the area of Public-Private Partnership, President Hotel Owners & Managers Association of Lagos, Chief Alabi, President Restaurants Cafes, Bars and Club, Mrs. Tannaz Eterbarian, CEO, Koko Beach, Hotel & Resorts, Mr. Richard Shittu and Owner of Ile-Iya, Mr. Mustapha Olasunkanmi all discussed on strengthening a collaborative efforts towards government policies and frames works, simplicity in visa application that will harness  hospitality business a point of call for Nigerians at home and in diaspora, noting that all these were put together to  overcome the challenges, harness the opportunities, and set new benchmarks for excellence.

Our Mandate's To Bridge Housing Deficit In Lagos - SA, Toke Benson | AgegePulse Magazine

 

... Start Regeneration of Assets In Mainland, Gov. Sanwo-Olu Charges Real Estate Agents

Lagosians home and abroad soon will no long have a fear in purchasing decent, affordable housing in Lagos.

This development was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson Awoyinka as Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) hosted recently the first of its kind Real Estate Conference and Exhibition in the Real Estate Capital of Africa, with the theme: “Unearthing real opportunities in Real Estate.” at the Eko Hotel & Suits, VI, Lagos.

The epoch event which have in attendance, the Governor of Lagos, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Government Agencies, Captains of Industries, Real Estate Agents, Estate valuers, and others Stakeholders in Real Estate Business was another turnaround initiative to solve housing deficit in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, The Governor harped on the need for massive regeneration of properties in mainland part of Lagos, charging real estate investors and private developers to divert their investment to rebuilding mainland and redistributing wealth from the business.

He said: “I need to charge the real estate investors that, everybody needs not build in Sangotedo or Ibeju Lekki. Let us go to mainland and start regeneration of the assets in that part of Lagos. This way, we would be redistributing wealth and creating opportunities for our citizens.

The Governor said the State’s Department of Lands had built the required capacity for smooth transition to the online platform, stressing that the plan was already in its final stage.

When the web-based platform is finally launched, there will be no need for applicants seeking for Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), survey and building plan approvals to physically submit paper documents for authorisation. All documentation and payments will be done by applicants from the comfort of their homes.

Sanwo-Olu said the new development would bring about quick turnaround time in land transactions and boost private investors’ confidence in provision of home ownership model that will address deficits in housing.

He said: “We have improved on our GIS solution to accelerating land matters in Lagos. From the first quarter of next year, we will be launching an online platform on which all land transactions will be done. When the project kick-starts next year, there will be one-stop shop for all transactions relating to land, including Governor’s approval on CofO, and building approval by Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

“We have given our commitment on this, because of the need to improve the turnaround time from when people submit their requests for approval and the time the authorisation is completed. We cannot afford to disappoint private investors and applicants seeking real time approval. We are raising our capacity, so that we can respond to the requests and discharge them.”

The Governor charged residents and property developers applying for approvals to stop cutting corners and circumventing the process, stressing that sharp practices would only make it difficult for impatient applicants to get their documents approved.

Earlier, Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said the conference was held with an objective to bring stakeholders in property business in contact with relevant Government agencies and address bottlenecks slowing down property transactions.

She said LASRERA was created with a mandate to bridge the gap of credibility in property business, pointing out that the Government responded to the yearnings of industry players, having realised there were genuine real estate practitioners and property developers, as well as genuine home and property seekers who were desirous of credibility in real estate transactions in Lagos.

Benson-Awoyinka said the regulatory agency, since inception, had set processes in motion to change the negative image of property development business and check malpractices which the sector had faced in the last decades.

She said: “As a Government that is determined to bridge the housing deficit in the State, we are aware of our role in not just the provision of houses, but also create an enabling environment for the private sector working hand in hand to a desired end.

“We are making a renewed appeal to investors in the sector to team up with the State Government to create a home ownership model that will help address the deficits observed in housing market in the State our through Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative in providing mass housing for our people.” Toke-Benson, Concluded

The two days conference featured exhibitions for home marketing firms, Government and private property developers.

There was also a panel of discussion in which private practitioners, heads of relevant Ministries and agencies provided explanations on housing market can be improved

Real Estate: The Era of Fraudulent Act's Gone in Lagos, Says Toke Benson, SA on Housing

...As LASRERA Launches, Website, Payment Portal

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka has assured the residents of Lagos home and abroad that the era of fraudulent activities of Real Estate and Developers has gone in Lagos.

Token Benson stated this during the launching of the angency website: www.lasrera.com and payment portal at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, she said that the website became imperative so as to create, capture and update a Unified Central Database of Real Estate Practitioners and their activities within the State.

She said, “We are well aware of the trend of fraudulent practices of some Real Estate Agents and Property Developers; this is reflected in the complaints received by the Agency in recent times from residents who had fallen victims to fake Real Estate Practitioners and Property Developers while seeking for accommodation, purchase or sale of property, hence the need to have a comprehensive database that can be used to curb these fraudulent practices in the sector”.



The Special Adviser emphasised the vital need to sanitise the industry because Lagos is the commercial and economic nerve centre of Nigeria and Africa with lots of investments opportunities, adding that the State Government had also worked tirelessly over the years to curb the increasing fraudulent practices in the Real Estate sector.

She noted noted that the public presentation will assist in creating awareness and also educate residents of the State on the importance of patronising registered Real Estate Practitioners and Property Developers.

Speaking on the change of name from Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department to Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), she stated that the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, in a bid to transform Lagos into a 21st Century Economy as enshrined in the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, approved the transition of the Department to an Agency on 7th February 2020.

According to her, part of the mandate of the new office includes the preparation of rules and regulations for the practice of Estate Agency and other connected matters in the State; identification of persons eligible to be licensed as Estate Agents and Renewal of Annual Licenses; Sanction of unlicensed Estate Agency Practitioners in the State, as well as the investigation of complaints and petitions against Licensed Estate Agency Practitioners, amongst others.

Benson-Awoyinka reiterated that the event complements the Smart City initiative of the present government, where service delivery will be technology-driven and readily available to the masses.

“We remain committed to providing an enabling environment and transparent Real Estate sector conforming to international best practices while safeguarding the ultimate interest of all the stakeholders. As a government, we have provided the creation of an innovative and sustainable environment to promote Lagos as a Real Investment destination in Africa and the World”, she said.

The Special Adviser averred that the website www.lasrera.com houses a brief history of the agency’s initiatives, aims and objectives, commitment to the people, a complaint section and a registration portal which allows practitioners to upload documents, stressing that the Agency also has social media handles for effective management and communication amongst the stakeholders.

Lagos Confiscates Houses Used For Fraud

AgegePulse Magazine

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday said it has confiscated two houses discovered to be used in defrauding residents in the state.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson Awoyinka, revealed this at a press briefing to commemorate the first year of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration in the state

She said the government has resolved to take strong measures to stop developers or agents from defrauding members of the public and therefore anyone caught in the act would be prosecuted.

Benson, who is also in charge of the Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department (LASRETRAD), said her office is currently prosecuting a developer who duped members of the public in the Ketu area, and also another developer who defrauded people in the Mafoluku area.

She said the government has also seized their properties and her office is working on how to sell the properties. According to her, the proceeds from the sale would be used to settle the defrauded members of the public.

She, however, appealed to members of the public to always patronize agents and developers who are registered with her agency.

Awoyinka said: “We have successfully reviewed the Lagos State Estate Agency Regulatory Law, Cap L28, Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (“Law”) presently in operation in the state, which provides for the establishment of the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority.

“The essence of this Law is to regulate 
estate transactions in Lagos State by identifying persons eligible to be licensed as Real Estate Practitioners and providing for the issuance or renewal of annual permits.”

She pointed out that the authority has the responsibility to maintain a register of Licensed Real Estate Practitioners and the sanctioning of unlicensed Estate Agents in the state.

“There is a need to sanitize Real Estate 

in Lagos State. In achieving this, the state must have a data-base of persons dealing in Real Estate Transactions for it to control their activities.

“Thus, the state must amend the Law to reflect its efforts in monitoring the transactions of real estate in a way that is proactive so as to protect its citizens and rid the State of fraudsters,” she added.

Source: ChannelsTv