Lagos: 14 Housing schemes completed in 2-yrs, works on 21 ongoing
By Moses Adeniyi
The number of housing schemes completed by the Lagos State Government within two years of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led Administration totalled 14, Nigerian NewsDirect has gathered.
The breakdown of the statistics obtained showed that the total number of housing schemes already delivered were 10, four practically completed and ready for commissioning; two to be delivered by the last quarter of 2021; four budgetary schemes to be delivered by 2022; four schemes under joint ventures to be delivered by 2022; while nine are to be delivered through joint ventures schemes by the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC).
Among the completed schemes include: Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande Gardens in Igando, Alimosho Local Government Area by Ministry of Housing (492 Units); Courtland Villas at Igbokushu, Eti-Osa by LSDPC (120 Units); LAGOSHOMS Lekki Phase I by LSDPC (124 Units); Lagos State Affordable Public Housing Scheme Idale, Badagry through Joint Venture (252 Units); Bayview Estate Ikate-Elegushi constructed by LSDPC (100 Units).
Others are the Sunnyville Apartments located in Nob Oluwa, Ogba (32 Units) by LSDPC; Phoenix Apartments by LSDPC (6 Units); LagosHOMS Lekki Phase II through Joint Venture by Ministry of Housing (84 Units); Babatunde Raji Fashola Estate at Iponri through Joint Venture by Ministry of Housing (132 Units); and the Prince Abiodun Ogunleye Estate in Igbogbo/Baiyeku by Ministry of Housing (360 Units).
Reports revealed that other ongoing housing projects totaling 21 schemes are currently being constructed through the State’s budgetary allocation and joint ventures in various parts of the state
It was however gathered that four of the 21 are near completion and thus await commissioning. The four schemes ready for commissioning are LagosHOMS Odo-Onosa/Ayandelu; Resettlement Scheme, Agbowa; LagosHOMS Sangotedo Phase 1; LagosHOMS Gbagada; LagosHOMS Omole/Magodo and LAGOSHOMS Ibeshe.
According to report, the strategic interventions deployed by the State to develop the housing sector in the State within the period under review include; Engaging multinational development agencies for mass Housing provision in Lagos State; Revisiting the Mortgage Bill to increase confidence of Property developers for increased home Provision;Resuscitation of the development of all stalled and On-going Housing Schemes in all parts of the State.
Others are Strengthening of Private Public Partnership in Housing Development by closer supervision of all Joint Venture Schemes; Increasing Access to Home ownership through emphasis on first-time Home Owners and enhancing the Rent-To-Own Policy; Maintaining existing and newly commissioned housing schemes through Facility Managers to prevent rapid dilapidation of estates and Renewal of Dilapidated Estates.
Projects expected to be commissioned in the third quarter (Q3) of 2021, are LAGOSHOMS Sangotedo Phase 1 Eti-Osa Local Government (744 units); LAGOSHOMS Egan-Igando Phase 1
Egan-Igando LCDA (270 units); LAGOSHOMS LASU LASU Main Campus Ojo (36 units); LAGOSHOMS Ibeshe Ikorodu Local Government (480 units).
Housing schemes that are ongoing through budgetary allocation and are scheduled for completion in year 2022 include LagosHOMS Sangotedo Phase 2, LagosHOMS Egan-Igando Phase 2, LagosHOMS Itamarun – Epe and LagosHOMS Ajara.
Speaking on Tuesday on the achievement of his ministry during the ongoing ministerial briefing to commemorate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second year in office, the State’s Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, said that regardless of the prevailing economic situation, the Government 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.
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 spread across all parts of the State.
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.”
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.
“Hence the housing sector, operating under this visionary guide of Mr. Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu in the past two years worked relentlessly in translating the lofty aspirations of the State Government into a positive reality in the lives of many Residents of the State.
“This was achieved through initiation of policies and implementation of strategies that have resulted in good outcomes for the people of the State,” he said.
Akinderu-Fatai, however, appealed to the 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.
The Commissioner further noted that apart from reducing housing deficit, housing development efforts within the two period, increased economic stability for workers in the sector, stating hundreds of workers, artisans, suppliers and contractors have been gainfully engaged through the aggressive development of the housing sector by the administration.
On partnership mechanisms, he disclosed that the focus of the Administration is on private partners who can utilise innovative technology to speedily provide homes for our teeming residents.
In her account, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Hon. (Mrs.) Toke Benson-Awoyinka revealed that the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), which is under her watch had made huge strides in sanitising and regulating the Real Estate Industry including the Registration of Real Estate Practitioners/Property Developers across the State.
Other areas she noted the Agency had achieved successes within the period under review include the Issuance and Renewal of Licenses/Permit; Investigating complaints and petitions against Licensed and Unlicensed Real Estate Practitioners/Property Developers and imposing sanctions in accordance with the Law.
According to her, these achievements were possible through such measures as variousStakeholders Engagement Forum, particularly for Real Estate Practitioners and Property Developers; Interactive Session for Real Estate Developers on LASRERA Amendment Bill; increase in Registration of Practitioners to create a database for decision making and plug Revenue leakages; Diverse Advocacy efforts to curb dubious Real Estate practices in the State.
She disclosed that the Agency engaged in diverse mediation processes between Landlords, Estate Agents and Tenants and also recorded successful recovery of Funds for affected citizens amounting to over N50.13million.
She moreover mentioned that the Agency is committed to sanitizing the sector from unprofessional practices in line with the vision of the present administration to provide decent and affordable housing according to the policy thrust of the present Administration encapsulated in the THEMES Agenda.
