The Lagos State Government has promised to complete and deliver 3,004 housing units in December this year.
The State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu divulged this on Monday October 5, where he restated his administration’s commitment to increase the total housing stock in the State by 3,004 units.
Continuing, Sanwo-Olu said additional seven housing schemes, comprising 2,268 units, will be completed and delivered by the end of this year.
Represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu said his administration is committed to the full implementation of the rent-to-own policy aimed at achieving the objective of making housing affordable and accessible to low income Lagosians.
Within the last 16 months, he continued, the present administration has completed and commissioned housing schemes like Lateef Kayode Housing Estate, Igando, Courtland Villas, Lekki and Lekki Apartments, Ikate Elegushi.
While 303 Lagosians have become homeowners in Oba Adeboruwa, Lateef Jakande and Epe Housing Schemes under the policy, Sanwo-Olu reiterates its administration’s commitment.
He outlined that despite the dwindling resources which has assumed a global dimension as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, his administration remains resolutely committed to making befitting accommodation available to Lagosians through pragmatic models that will incorporate private sector partnership and encourage local contents while also cutting costs and creating employment.
He implored Lagosians to take full advantage of the grand opportunities provided by the housing programme.
“Steps have been taken to remove bottlenecks associated with housing delivery in the State by embracing the mortgage option to home ownership.
“I seek the cooperation of all Lagosians towards the achievement of the Lagos of our dreams, a livable and sustainable city where everyone fulfills their legitimate aspirations irrespective of class, race or creed,” he harped on.
He highlighted the thrust of this year’s celebration as a major policy objective of the fourth pillar of our administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda – Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy.
“The current and projected future population of our State presents huge opportunities for investors in the housing sector and a compelling need for urban renewal.”
For the governor, his government’s pact with Lagosians as contained in the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda under the fourth pillar is to ensure a significant reduction in the housing deficit through provision of affordable and decent housing and to deepen commitment to a greater Lagos by advancing the administration’s strides towards an enduring urban future, founded on good spatial and sectoral planning.
To further accelerate the realisation of this objective, Lagos state has returned to the National Housing Fund and appointed the Lagos Building Investment Company (LBIC) PLC as the sole mortgage provider to facilitate a reduction in the housing deficit in the state.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Idris Salako said the state government has a clear understanding and remarkable acceptance of the multidimensional and complex nature of housing in its physical, social, economic, cultural, political, psychological and technical identities.
The state government says it’s also matching up to its successful delivery in cost-efficient, pragmatic and innovative manner.
In the words of the commissioner, the state government has evolved, institutionalised and implemented specific Policy Reforms and Initiatives that would continue to facilitate the achievement of the “Making Cities and Human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” in line with the SDG 11.
He further assured residents that the state is working assiduously to ensure housing for all Lagosians within the ambits of globally-accepted standards.
In his remarks, the Guest Speaker, Dr. Tunde Reis, tasked the government to come up with innovative policies that would drive the housing industry.
Reis identified the telecommunications industry as an example, stressing that apart from existing policy on building, regulation for managing the community should be imbibed.
“Sustainable relationship between the government and private organisations should be developed. There is no country in the world where government alone can solve its housing problems,” he hinted.
