Lagos needs 187, 500 houses to meet deficit, says Ambode

• Govt to introduce monthly mortgage payment scheme
• Assembly wants security patrol in coastal communities

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said it is planning 187, 500 new houses in the next five years to reduce the housing deficit estimated at 2.5 million in the state.

Ambode, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule, gave the figure at the 2016 World Habitat Day organised by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development in Lagos.

The United Nations General Assembly designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day. It is a day to reflect on the condition of cities and towns as well as the basic right of all to adequate shelter.

According to Ambode, the demand for shelter and new houses has continued to rise due to population growth, increasing urbanisation and daily influx of people into the state.

“Shelter ranks next to food as a human necessity and one of the social responsibilities of government. Provision of affordable houses remains a major focus of this administration in our quest to make life comfortable for the people.

“We are determined to achieve this via policy initiatives such as Rent-To-Own scheme, Outright Purchase Home Ownership, Public/Private Partnership and strengthening the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme,” he said.

Ambode also pledged to check the excesses of developers who flout building regulations in the state.

He said his administration has decided to scale up the rent-to-own policy by introducing monthly payment plan on its Home Ownership Mortgage Schemes popularly called Lagos HOMS across the state instead of being compelled to make a down payment of 30 per cent of the total cost or pay for one year.

Commenting on the pocket-friendly initiatives of his administration on housing, Ambode said the state government has taken time to review its mortgage schemes vis-à-vis its financial flow, adding that many ongoing housing schemes have reached advanced stages of completion, and that they would be rolled out in a matter of months.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Abiola Anifowose, said that Lagos Metropolitan Area had attained a mega city status due to its population of over 21 million.

“This status is not only challenging to housing provision, but exerts pressure on infrastructure in the state. This administration is repositioning strategies of delivering decent and affordable housing units to the citizens of Lagos,” he said.

Meanwhile, to end the use of coastal communities to carry out criminal activities, the state House of Assembly has called on the Federal Government to begin joint security patrol in coastal communities to stop kidnapping on the waterways.

The House also charged the state commissioner of police to upgrade the police post in coastal areas, including that of Epe.

The Assembly further asked the state Ministry of Education to ensure the enforcement of the resolution of the House on of the fencing primary and secondary schools in the state.