Unoccupied housing units constituting nuisance in Lagos — Commissioner

The unoccupied units are constituting nuisance in some of the housing estates due to unkept premises, recording shortfall in maintenance schedule and other negative consequences, the Commissioner for Housing in Lagos State. Mr. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, has said.

The commissioner stated this while justified the revocation of housing units allocated to subscribers but remained unoccupied for over two years.

Akinderu-Fatai, during a visit to enforce the directive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at one of the Lagos State Housing Estate Sangotedo, Lekki, said the revocation was a directive of the governor based on empirical evidences that most allottees kept the housing units under lock while the state continue to feel the pressure of prospective subscribers who need them.

The commissioner inspected some of the sealed blocks and flats and stated that the exercise was done irrespective of whether the allottee made full payment or applied under the Rent-To-Own schemes.

Akinderu-Fatai restated the state government concern that “Lagos State Government Housing Units are meant for those who actually need them and not speculators. The various initiatives of the Sanwo-Olu-led administration to increase the housing stock of the state will not be sacrificed for the interest of the privileged few.»

According to the commissioner, “Applying for a Rent-To-Own scheme presupposes the allottee is in desperate need of accommodation, why should such allotted flats be left unoccupied after 2 years.”

He reiterated that the state government will not allow its investment and state-of-the-art housing infrastructure to rot away while genuine homeseekers lament.

The commissioner reaffirmed that the ministry “will refund such allottees and reallocate the housing units to other Lagosians who are ready to put the houses to use immediately.”

He repeated the rule in the letter of allocation given to allottees that ‘’allocated housing estate flats should be occupied three months after allocation and keys released to beneficiaries’’. The estates have shared facilities that should be maintained with the contribution of all allottees.

In the last five years the administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has commissioned 21 housing estates through direct intervention and public-private partnerships. The housing estates spread across the State were provided we infrastructure facilities for decent living.

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