Lagos To Renovate Old Government Estates

Lagos State’s Ministry of Housing is set to begin an assessment of old government estates, to determine their damage levels.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Wasiu Akewusola, confirmed this to newsmen today.
He said that the move was aimed at maintaining the urban renewal quest of the state.
“This is the new line of thinking of the current administration in their quest for urban renewal of some estates built over 25 years ago.”
He said that Alaka Estate, among others, are some estates within the state witnessing severe levels of degradation.
Also, the Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai at a meeting with the Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Housing, Bisi Yussuf and other members of the Committee said there is a ray of hope for residents of old state-owned estates that are rundown and in dilapidated condition especially Alaka estate.
He said: “The State government is committed to its pledge of provision of decent Housing for the people and is constantly evolving strategies both to build new homes and to renew the old estates like the Alaka Estate. We will do our best to protect the affected residents from the inconveniences that would come up as a result of their temporary evacuation from the homes in order to make way for the redevelopment of the distressed structures.”
The meeting was called by the House Committee on Housing to deliberate on matters relating to the rehabilitation of two distressed blocks of flats in Alaka Estate in Surulere area of Lagos State as well as the welfare of the residents who would be temporarily displaced as a result of the exercise.
Yussuf pointed out that the Lagos State House of Assembly was also concerned about the estates.
He said, “It is disturbing that some residents live in old structures that may collapse at anytime. We have to take urgent action to prevent wastage of lives and property that could result from imminent collapse of such distressed structures,” he said.
The Special Adviser to the Governor, Hon. Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka assured the affected residents of Alaka Estate that all genuine home owners will be relocated to their new homes after the reconstruction of the affected blocks.
The representatives of the affected residents led by a resident, Mrs. Bisi Bello were delighted with the outcome of the meeting and pledged to support the State Government’s efforts aimed at the re-development of the rundown blocks in the Alaka estate.