Lagos completes 14 housing schemes in 2 years, intensifies work on 21 schemes

As part of the moves to reduce housing deficit and provide affordable housing for the greater number of residents in the state, the Lagos state government has said that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration has successfully completed 14 housing schemes within two years.

The government said that in spite of the prevailing economic situation, it would continue to embark on housing policies that will enable more residents become home-owners through provision of more affordable homes for many residents desirous of becoming property owners in the state.

Speaking on the achievement of his ministry during the annual ministerial briefing to commemorate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second year in office, the state’s Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai expressed optimism that the present administration will surely tackle the housing deficit issue in the state by providing more homes and enhancing accessibility and affordability.

According to the commissioner, some of the completed schemes include: Lateef Jakande Gardens in Igando; Lagos State Affordable Public Housing Scheme, Idale Badagry; LAGOSHOMS Lekki Phase 2; Babatunde Raji Fashola Estate, Courtland Villas Igbokushu among others located across the state.

Akinderu-Fatai said that four out of the number are virtually completed and awaiting commissioning at Odo Onosa Ayandelu, Agbowa, Magodo/Omole , Gbagada and Ibeshe. He added that other ongoing housing projects totaling 21 schemes are being constructed through the budgetary allocation and joint ventures in various parts of the state.

Harping on the affordability and accessibility of the housing schemes, the Commissioner revealed that the homes being provided are for both low and high net worth individuals and are located in all parts of the state such as Igando, Igbokusu, Lekki, Badagry, Igbogbo, Odo-Onosa/Ayandelu, Agbowa, Sangotedo, Epe, Ilubirin, Epe and Egan- Igando.

Akinderu-Fatai said: “Based on the all-inclusive stance of the Sanwo-Olu-led administration, there are completed and ongoing projects in all parts of the state and all categories of residents have the opportunity of accessing the housing provision.”

On the strategies to tackle housing deficit, Akinderu-Fatai hinted that the state government is already engaging multinational development partners for the construction of mass housing in the state. He pointed out that henceforth housing provision will be in the realm of thousands of homes so as to drastically reduce the housing challenges in the state.

The commissioner commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for his uncommon passion at ensuring that greater number of residents achieve their dream of becoming home owners, adding that his unalloyed commitment towards providing decent and stable shelter for Lagosians deserves commendations.

Akinderu-Fatai, however, appealed to private sector developers to actively partner with the State government in the provision of more homes for the citizens due to the rapid population growth of Lagos.

He said: “The task of bridging the housing gap in Lagos is mammoth, hence private sector’s participation is required in reducing the hardship faced by the people in their quest for decent shelter.’’

He pointed out that the state government has made the necessary efforts to make Lagos investor-friendly with laws to attract the desired investment in the housing sector.

To further enhance accessibility and affordability of the homes, Akinderu-Fatai said that the Lagos Mortgage Board has been able to strengthen the ‘Rent to Own’ policy by ensuring that many residents of the state are now on the home ownership ladder. He pointed out that the scheme which targets first time home owners has made it possible for many Lagosians to achieve their dream of home ownership.

He expressed delight at the Government’s Rent-To-Own Scheme saying that “it has given a good opportunity to both to the low and middle income citizens of the society to become home owners.”

The commissioner therefore expressed optimism that apart from reducing housing deficit, housing development efforts increase economic stability for workers in the sector, saying hundreds of workers, artisans, suppliers and contractors have been gainfully engaged through the aggressive development of the housing sector by the administration.

“It gladdens the heart that there are intense construction activities on many housing schemes all over the state revitalizing the housing delivery value chain.The fact that the construction sites are active means economic engagement for hundreds of workers, artisans, suppliers and contractors. This brings a vibrancy that increases the economic resilience of the people,” he added.