Roundtable last thursday
In his presentation titled “The City We Build: Private Ambition, Public Vision”, Julius Berger’s Regional Manager, Region Central and North (RCN), Engr. Oliver Berger, examined strategic pathways toward achieving a more balanced and sustainable Abuja.
He emphasised the urgent need for stronger dialogue and partnerships between public and private sectors, incentivising sustainable and future-fit designs, enforcing building standards with accountability, promoting innovative financing models for green and smart developments, and building capacity through the continuous training of professionals and regulators.
Earlier, while identifying the major drivers of the Abuja Built Environment, Berger highlighted the roles of developers, public authorities, professionals, and society at large. He noted that while developers drive investment, innovation, and private ambition, public authorities are primarily responsible for regulation.
The Regional Manager also drew attention to critical issues such as the concentration of estates in certain areas, low sustainability focus, and limited adoption of energy-efficient or green building practices. Citing examples from Singapore’s well-planned estates with landscaped courtyards, he called for intensified knowledge sharing and technical expertise within the sector.
According to Berger, Abuja faces multiple challenges, including an acute housing deficit where supply fails to meet demand, escalating land and bureaucratic costs, housing prices beyond the reach of average earners, and limited access to affordable mortgages and rent-to-own options.
He further identified problems such as an oversupply of high-end estates leading to a shortage of affordable housing, inconsistent policy enforcement, security challenges discouraging developers, infrastructure deficits, and a mismatch between housing supply and demand.
Berger making his lead presentation at the Roundtable event
To address these issues, Berger urged stakeholders to focus on durable and resilient housing solutions through the use of climate-resistant materials, strong structural foundations, and adaptable designs that reflect local weather and environmental realities.
He also called for inclusive and affordable living models tailored to various income levels—promoting functional yet aesthetic housing designs, flexible financing options such as rent-to-own and cooperative schemes, and mixed-use developments that combine residential and commercial convenience.
Managing Director, Maebelle Mercado, Managing Director, Julius Berger, Engr. Dr. Peer
Lubasch and Technical Team Leader Estimation Construction Management, Julius Berger
International, Sandra Salomon at the Julius Berger Construction Roundtable.
Berger’s recommendations further included smart urban planning—with efficient road networks, integrated public corridors, ample green spaces, parks, recreational zones, pedestrian-friendly layouts, and adherence to global sustainability standards.
The interactive session proved both educative and inspiring, with participants commending Julius Berger’s initiative and sharing diverse insights. The event was attended by top management of the Julius Berger Group, representatives of the FCT Minister and the Executive Secretary of the FCT, as well as leading figures from the private sector.