AT 1004 ESTATE, OLD THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY November 19, 2013 By COSMAS OMEGOH It was a bright, brilliant morning. The big, round, orange-coloured sun had begun rising – of course majestically from the eastern horizon, serving clear notice that later in the day, everyone would be in for a blaze. Standing on the 13th floor of one of the high-rise buildings dotting the luxury 1004 Estate on Victoria Island, Lagos, we had a panoramic view of Lagos and its scenic slendour. We felt welling up inside us this sweet feeling of life in a fantasy world. It felt like an entirely new world different from the present, dropping straight from the clouds. We wished we had wings like a dove to assess this world of fantasy and probably dwell in it for as long as eternity lasts. Just when we were getting deeply absorbed in this utopia, we were jolted to reality by this cool, gentle breeze, winging its way from the wide, wide Atlantic Ocean a kilometer or two off. Looking in the direction of this gentle breeze, we could see in the distance some misty cloud fighting to veil some sea-going vessels waiting for invitation to berth and discharge their cargo at the Apapa habour; they looked like disposable juice cans. By the time our excursion in this land of ‘Eldorado’ was over, we were set to return to the ground floor from where started the journey. Next, we ushered yourselves into a waiting elevator which ascends and descends with the speed of light. We touched down just within seconds to behold some lush-green and well-mowed lawns, tarred parking lots – every space marked and numbered. Each apartment appeared to have its own portion and no one dared to occupy another’s space even in error. Next, we noticed light human and vehicular traffic within the estate. Everyone was brisk; they were either hurrying in or out of the expansive estate. The residents were largely from the ‘united nations.’ Over time, the estate had become like the proverbial oak tree in which birds from every clime came to make their nests. That is why we were not surprised to see hordes of Indians, Americans, Britons, Chinese, French, South Africans and many nationals of other lands living in it. The estate we also observed is home to a sprinkle of Nigerians. Every one is living there peacefully with their neigbours. The residents are largely professional and business-minded individuals working in some of the top-ranked organisations in Lagos. At every turn, we could see private security men on duty; they keep watch on the area. Some of them appeared to know every resident by their names and faces. They watched as people weaved in out of the estate and ensured that the residents never had security issues. We also saw gardeners and cleaners – every one of them spotting their respective uniforms and working to keep the estate’s sanity. We further observed that while relaxing inside one of the apartments, the loudest noise we could hear was the humming of room air conditioners. That was indicative of the regime of serenity that rules the estate. During that brief stay, it was easy to note that every stakeholder in the estate was generously contributing their quota towards making life in the facility worth living. And that is why the place now wears an amazing new look. The 1004 Estate, it would be recalled, was formally opened to residents in 1979 to accommodate law makers during the country’s Second Republic. It was said to be “the largest, single-luxury, high-rise estate in Sub Saharan Africa and comprises over 1004 flats, maisonettes, studio apartment.” In the beginning, its facilities were in top form, working to full capacity, just as the place was blazing with beauty. It housed senators and members of the National Assembly and their families. At some point, living in 1004 Estate was a measure of how far anyone in the country had come. But after the politicians of the Second Republic era were shown the exit door by the military, some high-ranking civil servants moved into the estate. In no time, things began to fall apart. Within months, everything good thing the luxury estate was known for fell precipitously to ground zero. It all began when the new occupants began to move in with large numbers with their family members – some as many as 10 people occupying one three-bedroom apartment. Expectedly, the facilities increasingly became over stretched. Occupants began to spread their clothes on the railings of the apartments – an act the Lagos State government at the moment is combating with every ounce of energy it has. With water becoming scarcer and the elevator completely packed up, and forgotten, residents were compelled to descend from the 13th floor to assess water sources where ever they could find them. With the characteristic perennial power supply challenges still plaguing the country, everyone was forced to provide for their own electricity needs. That meant that occupants had to buy their own power generating sets. You have guessed rightly – on a bad day, the estate was simply a mad house, with the entire place ringing with noise. That was the story of the estate’s descent into decay. However, in the days leading to the twilight of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s first term in office as president, his administration decided to change the fortune of the estate. It decided to hand over the facility to some private investors. That decision opened the new window of change which ushered in new vistas to the estate. It was at that point that some investors who formed what is today known as 1004 Estates Limited came to the rescue. The investor, Daily Sun gathered was “established in 2004 as a private limited liability company by a group of investors to acquire 1004 Estates, from the Federal government of Nigeria.” The deal is said to worth N7 billion. Shortly after the deal was concluded, the company hit the ground running. In 2008, Daily Sun gathered that it commenced rehabilitation of the buildings. The effort included “the stripping, replacement of all internal mechanical, electrical fittings and internal partitions. The entire external services equipment for power, water and sewage were extensively redesigned and constructed to meet the changing needs of the housing market. The exterior facade was also extensively remodeled to a modern finish, while the apartment sizes enjoyed an increased footprint.” Then in mid 2009, the company commenced sales of the flats. In no time, the 1004 units were oversubscribed. At the moment, the estate it was learnt has attained 95 per cent occupancy due to its excellent location in the heart of the Victoria Island coupled with its constant provision of power/recreational facilities and its secure environment. Its large, landscaped garden provides safe backdrop for jogging and walking. There are also swimmy pools and tennis courts which provide a vibrant sporting life style for residents. At the moment, life in 1004 Estate is fun. Residents enjoy uninterrupted power supply on a 24-hour basis. There is a water treatment plant which ensures regular water supply to every apartment. Managers of the estate provide sewage services and dispose human wastes using their sewage treatment plant, in line with internationally acclaimed best practice. Occupants no longer climb to ground zero to throw away their refuse; all they do is stuff them into sacks and dump them into a huge pipe and in a matter of seconds, they drop into a ‘shut house’ from where they are promptly picked up. Fumigation is also periodically conducted within the premises. Now, it is like a taboo for occupants to spread their clothes anywhere in the estate as every apartment has dryers which take instant care of their washing. Security issues are almost non existent. However, all these services attract a fee which the occupants pay with gratitude. Daily Sun was told that residents are also privileged to enjoy a private network service provided by MTN Nigeria. That enables them to make tow-free calls within the estate. That way they stay in touch without incurring costs. The network also has a dedicated switch for internet connection at a fee to the service provider. Banks too are jostling to have their presence in the area. In order to make life in the estate really worth living, recently, the management of the facility organised a get together for the residents. That offered real opportunity to most residents to unwind. It was a well-attended event featuring various musical artistes who entertained prodigiously. There were also lots of things to eat and drink. The forum equally offered opportunities for the foreigners to interact with their Nigerian counterparts and dance to pulsating Nigerian beats. During an encounter, an Indian told Daily Sun: “I arrived in Nigeria about two months ago,” Ranjev said. “I’m an IT expert; I’m from Mumbai,” he added with typical Indian assent. “This place is good. It meets international standard; in fact, it’s world class. I like it; I’m enjoying myself here.” Similarly, Eric an expatriate from Britain in his comment on the 1004 Estate said: “I love its serene environment, it is quite great. I work in an industry that requires high sense of critical thinking and reasoning. So I need an environment like this to sharpen my sanity and produce the best of my creativity,” he noted. Gernitdu Triot, a South African said security was his major attraction. “I have been here for close to two years now and I can sleep well. I have no fears at all. My things are safe; I have never lost anything here,” he admitted. Although the estate has over time regained its lost glory, more effort however, still needs made as there is always room for improvement. This is especially in the area of traffic management and services delivery. However, the Human Resources/Administrator Manager of 1004 Estate Limited, Kenneth Nwankwo, assured that efforts were being made to constantly improve on the facilities and services offered. “We want the best of residency for everyone,” he said, adding “our intention is to be the best residential estate in Nigeria.” Culled from sunnewsonline
Posted on: Mon, 25 Nov 2013 22:05:43 +0000
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