Lagos State government has delivered a total of 1576 homes to residents of the state within the first year in office of the administration led by Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in pursuit of its Greater Lagos vision aimed at making decent homes available to all.
The State Commissioner for Housing, Hon Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, made this known, on Tuesday, during the Ministerial Briefing on the activities of the state government in the housing sector, to mark the first year in office of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
Akinderu-Fatai disclosed that state government had completed six housing schemes located at Igando in Alimosho Local Government Area, Igbogbo in Igbogbo Baiyeku Local Council Development Authority, Igbokushu, Lekki Phase 1, Idale in Badagry, Iponri in Surulere Local Government and Lekki Phase 2, also in Eti Osa Local Government Area.
According to him, the provision of housing in major parts of the state is in line with the T. H. E. M. E. S. Agenda under the pillar of Building a 21st Century Economy, saying: “provision of decent housing for Lagosians is an integral part of the transformation agenda of the present administration.
The commissioner said housing being a critical need of the people formed the bedrock of other developmental efforts hence the great attention given to it by the present administration.
Akinderu-Fatai said the strategies deployed in meeting this agenda was building through Direct Budgetary allocation for the completion of existing housing schemes as well as through Public-Private Partnerships, adding that 492 of the homes located at Lateef Kayode Jakande Gardens Housing in Igando and 360 at LagosHoms in Igbogbo 2b were actualized through Direct Budgetary allocations while the rest were made possible through Joint Ventures with private investors.
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Akinderu-Fatai said that 120 homes at Courtland Luxury Villa in Igbokushu, 124 homes at Lekki Apartments, 252 at Lagos State Affordable Public Housing Scheme in Idale Badagry, Iponri Housing Scheme with 132 units and Lekki Phase 2 Scheme in Eti Osa Local Government Area, having 96 units were achieved through partnerships with Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSPDC), Le Grand Property Development Company, Step Development, Echostone Housing and Messrs Lekki Ultimate Constructions respectively.
The commissioner, while appreciating the efforts of the partners, urged for more serious-minded investors to join hands with the government for the speedy resolution of the housing deficit challenge in the state, assuring that more schemes would be completed before the first quarter of 2021 to yield an additional 2284 home units.
According to him, these projects include LAGOSHOMS Sangotedo clusters with 1218 homes in Eti – Osa LGA, 660 homes at Lagoshoms Odo Onosa/Ayandelu in Agbowa Local Council Development Area, Egan Igando Scheme with 270 homes, and Lagoshoms LASU at Lagos State University main Campus with 36units.
“Other Government-owned Housing schemes that are still being developed include Epe Housing Scheme in Itamarun Epe local Government with 112 homes,” he added.
Akinderu-Fatai also affirmed that the state government was working assiduously to increase manpower development through skills upgrade of 1000 artisans in the Build sector for an improved capacity as well as enhanced income generation.
Speaking on the accessibility of the homes, Akinderu-Fatai pointed out that they were “targeted at first-time homeowners who are residents of the state, and who could come on a convenient mortgage system or make an outright purchase of the homes.”
“The state government has strengthened its convenient mortgage system under the Rent-to-Own Scheme under the Lagos State Mortgage Board to bring as many people as possible on the Home Ownership ladder.
“Within the period under review, a total of 1332 Lagosians benefited from the Rent to Own Scheme. With an initial payment of 5% of the homes and monthly payments spread over 10 years, more Lagosians can become homeowners without experiencing serious financial hardship,” the commissioner said.
Akinderu-Fatai pledged that the state government would, in the next years of the Sanwo-Olu’s administration, aggressively pursue the delivery of more homes “by working with private sector investors, organizing Housing Challenge Competition to drive innovations in the building sector and ensure that the poor, the distressed and vulnerable have more access to social housing.”
Also speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, lauded the administration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for activating the law that established Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA).
She said: “with the promulgation, the Authority is now empowered by Law to register Real Estate Practitioners/Property Developers across the state and issue licenses annually to genuine practitioners.”
Benson-Awoyinka also said that the new Agency would be engaged in the investigation of complaints and petitions against licensed and unlicensed Real Estate Practitioners /Property Developers and imposed sanctions in accordance with the Law where necessary during the period under review.
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