The Lagos State Government has urged residents of its public housing estates to take greater responsibility for protecting shared infrastructure and actively participate in the monthly environmental sanitation exercise to ensure the sustainability of government-owned housing schemes.

The appeal was made on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, during a stakeholders’ engagement and public enlightenment programme for residents of Lagos State Housing Estates in the Badagry Division, held at the LagosHOMS Housing Estate, Amuwo Odofin.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing, Engr. Abdulhafis Gbolahan Toriola, the commissioner said the state government remained committed to investing in housing infrastructure and estate maintenance, but stressed that the long-term sustainability of the estates depends largely on the cooperation and active participation of residents.

According to him, residents have a critical role to play in safeguarding shared facilities, complying with estate regulations, supporting sanitation initiatives and promoting peaceful coexistence within their communities.

He also urged residents of government-owned housing estates to prioritise participation in the monthly sanitation exercise recently reintroduced by the state government.

“The sustainability of government-owned housing estates is a shared responsibility. Beyond the provision of infrastructure, residents must actively contribute to the upkeep of their environment and support measures aimed at preserving public assets,” Toriola said.

He explained that the stakeholders’ engagement forms part of the ministry’s broader strategy to strengthen collaboration between government and residents while creating channels for feedback to improve service delivery in public housing estates.

During the programme, residents were enlightened on estate management, infrastructure protection, fire safety, consumer rights, insurance coverage, environmental sanitation, domestic violence prevention and emergency preparedness. They also interacted with officials of relevant government agencies on issues affecting their estates.

The forum also provided an opportunity for residents to raise concerns over electricity supply, security, water systems, sanitation, recreational facilities and other community issues, while ministry officials outlined ongoing and planned interventions aimed at improving living conditions across government-owned estates.

Chairman of the LagosHOMS Amuwo Odofin Residents Association, Mr. Monsuru Tiamiyu, commended the initiative, describing it as a valuable platform for strengthening communication and cooperation between residents and the government.

He expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government for its commitment to improving living standards in public housing estates and providing residents with direct access to relevant authorities on issues affecting their welfare.
Tiamiyu also assured the ministry of the continued support of residents in protecting shared infrastructure, promoting environmental sanitation and contributing to the overall development of the estate.

In his closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to sustaining stakeholder engagement and public enlightenment programmes as part of efforts to deepen resident participation, encourage responsible community living and ensure the effective management of public housing estates across Lagos State.