BY ASELEBE SADIK ADEWUYI
The Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai in a media parley held in his office in Ikeja gave a brief on the plans of the State Government in housing intervention in the year.
Akinderu-Fatai, while briefing the pressmen, said the government is aware of the uncontrolled influx of people into Lagos State as this has put pressure on the state government to build more homes to bridge the gap of the housing deficit.
According to him, partnership with private investors is one of the strategies being used by the State Government to increase the availability of decent homes in the State. “We will continue to respond to the challenges of housing deficit, particularly the low-income earners, through the involvement of the Private Sector, he said.
Akinderu-Fatai posited that to achieve the goals of sustainable provision of decent homes in the State, and in line with the THEMES Plus Agenda, the State Government will collaborate with Private investors to achieve the Lagos of our dreams.
In his words, “We cannot afford to be held back in the provision of decent homes, our word stands as our bond in the housing sector of making Lagosians homeowners reduce housing insufficiency in the state. It is the passion of the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Administration to see that housing deficit is reduced to the barest minimum”.
Speaking on funding the housing delivery, the Commissioner said the budget of the State cannot meet the huge gap in Housing requirements of the people hence the need to partner with the players in the real estate sector as this is the only solution to building more affordable homes for the low and high-income earners across the State.
Akinderu-Fatai said that inflation poses a challenge to building more homes and to effectively bridge the housing gap the State is also considering granting incentives to private investors who are financially able to support the State Government to build for the low-income earners.
The Commissioner mentioned that the State Government will continue to cater to the needs of first-time buyers who are in dire need of such accommodation facilities through outright purchase and rent-to-own platforms.
Speaking on the security of homes in Estates, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Housing, Engr. Abdulhafis Toriola said a lot of complaints have been received that some homeowners harbour people of questionable character hence posing a threat to Residents, adding that the Ministry as a matter of urgency shall investigate and take the right steps towards safeguarding the lives and well-being of residents in the affected Estates.
The Permanent Secretary also urged allottees to take ownership of joint facilities and follow the rules put in place to maintain the Estates
