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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has charged private investors to partner with the state Government in bridging the housing deficit in the State, as the government alone cannot do it.The Governor stated that the main goal of his administration under the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda, Pillar of M- Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy is to substantially reduce the housing deficit through different strategies which includes partnering with the private sector to deliver a significant number of housing units that are affordable, safe and decent to people residing in Lagos State.
Speaking today at the Official Commissioning of Ndubuisi Kanu Housing Estate, Gbagada, Kosofe, Lagos, Sanwo-Olu who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, disclosed that his administration had in the last four years succeeded in completing 19 housing estates in different parts of the State in spite of the challenges.
According to the Governor “In spite of all these challenges, I am delighted to note that we have succeeded in completing 19 housing estates in different parts of the state including this particular estate. In the past four years, a lot has been done by our administration in the housing sector through the cumulative efforts of the Ministry of Housing, Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), Lagos Building Investment Company (LBIC) and very importantly the private sector.
He noted that providing adequate, affordable and decent housing is a major challenge faced by megacities all over the world and that the state is faced with the additional challenge of limited land size with a huge population which, according to the 2016 statistics, increases with a daily influx of 123,840 people. A large percentage of this number are here to seek economic opportunities and therefore do not intend to leave in a hurry”.
The Governor said his administration has successfully converted the challenge of population increase into a good opportunity to serve the people and display the capability to respond to citizens’ needs. .
Sanwo-Olu recalled that during the first electioneering campaign as a gubernatorial candidate, he made it clear that provision of housing will be a priority for his administration, and a major deliverable under the “Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy” pillar of our T.H.E.M.E.S agenda, saying that “our housing provision strategy has been focused on attending to the shelter needs of all.
Sanwo-Olu stated that the commissioning is a project initiated to provide more units of decent housing for Lagosians residing in the metropolis, adding that “this is one of the many demonstrations of this administration’s firm commitment to bridge the housing deficit in this urban city and also to fulfil the hopes and dreams of many Lagosians to own a home”.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai said that the Lagos State Government has consistently strengthened its efforts to actualize its housing agenda with the aim of making decent homes available and accessible to Lagosians irrespective of their social class or income level.
He added that the newly commissioned Ndubuisi Kanu estate has 72 homes units in 6 blocks which will bring valuable addition to the home stock of the state, provide another livable community, add value to the beautification of the environment, and serve as a catalyst for improved economic activities within the community.
He noted that the ultimate goal is to make Lagos comparable to 21st century economies all over the world in terms of availability of beautiful communities with adequate infrastructure where people can live and call their homes. Adding that “the homes are subsidized to ensure the state bridges the wide gap of housing challenges in the state”.
In his goodwill message, the Executive Chairman, Kosofe Local Government Area, Barr. Moyosore Ogunlewe said that the administration of Sanwo-Olu has focused on reviving the provision of comfortable infrastructure and good housing schemes for the people of the state.
He added that the state government will continue to promote urban harmony and set new standards for diplomatic development across Nigeria, saying that “one of the key strategies this government has embraced is a global housing policy which people can become house owners through an inclusive financial system based on their incomes which will support a sustainable system where homes are consistently made available to a large number of Lagosians”.
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