Lagos adopts new housing policy, targets 1, 248 homes

To tackle its housing challenge, Lagos State Government has announced a new housing policy that takes into account her population and limited land space.

Under this strategy, the state is to embrace the global best practice in housing, which will make people become homeowners over time by tying their ability to acquire houses to their income.

This policy alongside outright purchase of houses built by government is expected to support a sustainable system in which homes can be consistently made available to a larger number of the citizens.

The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, revealed this at the commissioning of 492 new homes at Alhaji Lateef Jakande. Garden, Igando.

The mixed housing development, which consists of 41 blocks of one, two and three -bedroom apartment was conceived in 2012 during Babatunde Fashola’s administration and was initially supervised by the News Towns Development Authority (NTDA) before it was transferred to the state’s ministry of Housing in January 2017 for completion.

Located in Igando, along LASU- Igando Road, thee housing estate renamed after the first civilian governor of Lagos state, Alhaji Jakande is a well planned urban settlement , which boasts of other ancillary structures such as multipurpose community hall, Laundromats and sports complex.

Infrastructural facilities in the scheme include well constructed road network and drains, ample car parks, external electrification that is connected to the National grid, ultra modern sewage treatment plant, and a dedicated mini water works.

The Lagos state governor stressed that his government has embraced rigorous planning and financial discipline in ensuring that ongoing housing projects located in various parts of the state are delivered on schedule.

“Our expectation is that within the next six months, over 1,248 homes will be delivered in different parts of the state,” he said.

According to him, the housing estate renamed after the first civilian governor because mass housing was among his many sterling achievements.

He stressed that the completion and official commissioning of Jakande Garden Housing Estate was a testament of his administration resolve to deliver on the pledge to complete all critical projects inherited from the last administration.

Also the Commissioner for housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, highlighted the importance of shelter as one of the basic human needs which made it home ownership a mark of achievement in our clime,

He said the state is just starting a journey, which will positively and greatly impact on the future story of our great state.

“With this new urban settlement catering to the home needs of 492 families in this populous part of Lagos state, the housing deficit in the state has been reduced.

“With this stride in providing livable accommodation in a planned setting with modern infrastructure comparable to those in smart cities of the world, we are promoting urban harmony and setting new standards for property development not only in this axis but in the entire nation”, he added.

He further assured that the state will within the next six months, complete ongoing housing schemes at Igbogbo, Sangotedo, Iponri, Gbagada and Omole, which will bring to total of 1250 homes to the existing figures in the state.

The commissioner urged interested investors to come forward to collaborate with government in this regard as government will continue to build not only to make home owners but to grow the economy as the commercial activities and gains generated by construction empower our people financially and on the long run enhance the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation.