Navigating Regulatory Hurdles: Adonis Oluwabusuyi Fakanlu’s Calls for Reform in Construction Policies
The construction industry in Nigeria is on an evolutionary wave, and for this evolution to cause a significant change, an efficient and supportive regulatory framework needs to be established. The industry is growing largely with demands covering residential and commercial projects, and this in turn has generated significant job opportunities for many, which contributes to a strong national economic wellbeing.
While there’s improvement and growth in the industry with new dimensions, especially with the advancement of technology, operations are still cutthroat. The typical Nigerian construction process is arduous and daunting considering its numerous bureaucratic challenges. Changing the narratives in this regard is Oluwabusuyi Adonis Fakanlu, CEO of Comfort Architectural Finishing Limited.
Fakanlu’s zest for the construction industry has led to the realization of positive changes, one of which includes being at the forefront of advocating for regulatory reforms in the construction industry to be looked into, especially as it’s known to hamper growth for industry players.
Recently, at an industry event, Oluwabusuyi gave remarks on the issues associated with Nigeria’s regulatory system as it pertains to the construction industry. “Most construction projects cannot take off because of the numerous permits and approvals that must be obtained,” he explained. “The system for regulation is arbitrary, where it’s not one nor two agencies that developers have to contend with only to meet essential construction requirements.” Gleaning meaning from Adonis, these steps make the construction process tiring for developers, as they lead to delayed projects and often discourage investors in the sector.
The reality facing the construction industry seems as though it’s caught in a red tape, where its regulatory landscape is rigorous enough to kill dreams. There are multiple agencies responsible for the issuance of permits and approval slips, as failure to obtain these legal documents may result in severe consequences in the long run. The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Local Government Authorities, and Environmental Authorities are the agencies involved in these processes, playing a huge role in granting approvals to developers and generally creating an environment where construction goes smoothly; unfortunately, the reverse is the case as the functions of these agencies overlap, leading to prolonged project timelines, more expenses, and waste of labour.
Oluwabusuyi views these issues as a series of complexities that impede the economic progress and success of developers. He further buttressed that project delays and extra cost contributed to the final sale or rental amount of a project, affecting the consumers, as they would be unable to afford these houses—indirectly increasing the housing deficit facing the country. According to him, “The longer agencies delay the approval process, the more expensive projects become, which would lead to a high cost affecting consumers. This cycle is worrisome because not only are industry players affected, it trickles down to Nigerians, mostly average earners, who crave to own a decent home or set up a business.”
In addressing these challenges, Oluwabusuyi suggests that approvals for construction projects should be streamlined and centralized, making it easy for developers and preventing unnecessary time wastage. Just as it’s in other international countries that are more developed, Oluwabusuyi advocates for a “one-stop” regulatory model, allowing construction professionals to obtain and run any regulatory demands at one point. He believes that once this model is employed, a litany of regulatory bottlenecks can be resolved—project delays would be eliminated, construction costs would be reduced, and there would be an environment for creativity to lure investors both from local and international levels.
The vision of Oluwabusuyi is synonymous with the interests of many other stakeholders, who have also been vocal about regulatory reforms. The advocacy against these uncoordinated policies has rung through the entire Nigerian landscape, such that it’s become a fight for all. In comparison, countries like Kenya and South Africa have a centralized permit system where each process is streamlined, creating a favorable environment for operations. Oluwabusuyi believes that Nigeria could share the same benefit if similar reform is adopted.
Oluwabusuyi points out that, while the regulatory process is stressful, the regulatory framework itself is also another killjoy. He buttresses that the framework is inconsistent and is too old to fit recent trends. Sustainable-driven projects and modern construction techniques are vital in recent projects, but there are no regulations that support the practice; hence, push developers who intend to incorporate these elements face extra cost. “There are regulations that were stipulated 20 and even 30 years ago, and they somewhat clash with modern construction practices, most especially the way it negates sustainability in construction despite the global call to tackle climate change,” he explained.
The construction industry in Nigeria is advancing; it will only grow further if regulatory policies are revamped. Sustainable construction is the new form of construction, globally recognized as standard practice; Nigeria should be no exception. Oluwabusuyi calls for policies to be revisited, ensuring they align with environmental standards, sustainable practices, and modern trends to facilitate growth. “People are growing more aware of green building materials; omission of it would only dampen construction efforts, especially as it would reflect no innovation footprint,” he added.
As a way to enact the policy reforms, oluwabusuyi buttresses on the need to anchor on public-private partnerships (PPPs), serving a synergistic approach for the government and industry stakeholders to develop a nuanced understanding of why these reforms are relevant. Collaboration between the stakeholders will create perspectives that will eventually point towards the need to assess current policies and identify areas that urgently need to be omitted, revamped, or improved. When the government is involved in the process, they gain insights towards the challenges faced by construction professionals, and this eventually leads to the design of new policies that would usher in development. Oluwabusuyi also raised the issue of costly compliance—how small, medium-sized companies struggle to keep up with the cost while complying with regulations. The high fees for permits and licenses have become a barrier for developers. Oluwabusuyi therefore believes that if the process is simplified and cost is considerably reduced, there’ll be room for struggling developers to thrive. “When the cost for compliance remains high, it would only be practiced by large companies, while small and medium-sized enterprises are left to grapple, which directly affects industry competitiveness and consumers who will face high costs of buildings,” he laments.
For Oluwabusuyi, effective regulatory reforms can pave the way for affordable housing. When fees for permits are reduced, and the process to attain these permits is simplified, it becomes easy for developers to redirect resources to create affordable houses. He believes that affordable housing is essential to the country’s development, and he urges developers to embrace an opportunity that leads to its realization. Oluwabusuyi also urged the government to stay accountable while enforcing construction regulations. He advises that the government should set up a strict task force that would ensure regulations are being complied with, particularly in areas of safety and quality.
The vision for Oluwabusuyi is to secure a better future for the industry; hence, his advocacy isn’t just a critique, but an effort geared toward solidifying the industry. “The Nigerian construction industry is at the edge of revolution; that is why good reforms need to exist, not only for infrastructural development but also for economic advancement and financial freedom for many,” he affirms.
Oluwabusuyi urges professionals within the construction industry in Nigeria to always leverage opportunities and make the best out of them. He believes that the industry stands the chance to rake in billions to the economic purse like others do; hence, the call for a better regulatory structure to build a formidable industry.
