At about 1:46 am, on Sunday December 5, 2015, in Gestapo style, Home Owners & Resident Association (HORA) , in collaboration with tough looking uniformed “bouncers” brought in their own facility team comprising of Halogen Security personnel to man various beats such as the Water Treatment plant, Power House, Main entrance and exit gates, all Cluster gates, Residence security lobbies, Recreation clubs, Leisure centers and various other sensitive places in the estate.
Eye witness report has it that the new guys swooped in the Estate company personnel quite unexpectedly an asked them to sit on the floor while the former took over. It is said that they carted away and disposed of the uniforms of the 1004 Estate security personnel thereby rendering them ineffective, and without their paraphernalia of office. They were later sent away with the help of the Halogen security men. Curiously, a few policemen was sighted at the scene but it was not really clear at whose behest they turned up, though they claimed their presence was to maintain peace and protect property in the area. They did not interfere with the “grand take over”.
At about 11: 22am, the Managing Director of 2004 Estate Ltd, called a meeting of his staff down, telling them that everything would soon be okay and assured them of payment of their December salary, which sources say he has fulfilled. At about 4:12pm, members of the 1004 Residents Association chained and locked up the Administrative block but Mr. Ukpong instructed that the chains and padlocks be cut open to allow customers come in for business. This surmises the clear take –over of the Estate facilities management as HORA met little resistance.
According to Mr. Ukpong, he cautioned his men not to resist the hostile take-over. This was needed to maintain peace and harmony in the Estate of which 60 percent is made up of the international community.
Investigations revealed a catalog of “Sin” that necessitated the forceful termination of the relationship between the HORA and the 1004 facility management Company.
Over the last 4 years, says it has tried to establish a mutually beneficial relationship with 1004 Estates Ltd but the latter’s many infractions, impunities and arbitrariness have led them to conclude that they can no longer continue with the relationship.
HORA also alleges refusal by 1004 Estates Ltd to account for the total sums collected as service charge and Asset Replacement Deposit amounting to several millions of Naira. One of the Conditions of sale of flats in the estate was for each buyer to make a deposit of three hundred thousand naira to 1004 Estate Ltd as an asset replacement deposit. This money was designed to allow for the creation of a trust fund from which common assets for utilities could be replaced in future due to wear and tears.
HORA alleges that since 2010, neither 1004 Estate Limited nor UPDC Plc or Union Homes Limited has rendered an account of the funds received from HORA members, or informed them of the state of the funds.
HORA further alleges that in June 2014, as a result of protracted controversy over charges on electricity, it was discovered that 1004 Estates Limited has over charged residents. Over a two year period, an agreement between the residents and 1004 Estates Limited supervised by EKEDC/EKO FORUM, was then reached to cut down the charge per unit of electricity from N75.00/kwh to N41.20/kWh. In addition, each apartment was to pay the sum of five thousand naira only per month towards repairs and replacement of electricity equipment. It was agreed that both the residents and the 1004 Estates Limited would jointly run the account into which the funds would be paid. It is alleged that since the date of the agreement, the 1004 Estates Ltd has prevented the participation of the residents in the running of the account even though the residents have continued to pay this monthly fixed charge.
It was said that since May 27, 2015, the estate has been disconnected from the EKEDC supply as a result of 1004 Estate Limited’s failure to pay the bills of EKEDC.
Other allegations by HORA include commercialization of common areas and misappropriation of insurance Premium which has prompted the association to advise residents not to pay any premium to 1004 Estate Ltd until it accounts for all Premiums previously paid by residents and homeowners.
To cap it all, HORA is pointing accusing fingers at the 1004 Estate Ltd as regards State/Federal Government taxes (Land Use Charge, Grand Rent). It was also said that the Lagos State Government pasted “Contravention Notice” on the doors of Residents, accusing them of not paying the statutory Land Use Charge.
According to the HORA, it has been able to achieve instant results with the takeover of the management of the estate from the previous management company. They have paid the N25million owed the EKEDC for which electricity was cut off from the estate and a new power Management Company has been engaged for the estate, 1G4 Power Plant Operations Limited. They have since commenced work.
The association has also appealed to residents to paying N30,000.00 monthly for power for the next two months until a vending system is put to place.
Presently residents pay N60/per Kwh. HORA revealed that when the vending system is put in place residents will be able to buy electricity at N39.50/Kwh instead of the present prize that the former Facilities Manager was charging.
The battle for the soul of the 1004 flats has been long drawn. Both parties have been in court for the past 4 years.
So far, HORA is running the estate, a homeowner said, “HORA is in control of the security, power, water, sanitation and waste disposal. Well, the matter is far from settled. The 1004 Estate Ltd has not given up the fight.
Source : 1004 Scoop
