The Lagos State Commissioner for Housing Moruf Akinderu-Fatai has affirmed the readiness of the state government to provide more homes by speedily completing its ongoing housing schemes in all the divisions of the State.
Akinderu-Fatai made this comment at the ongoing 2024 Ministerial Briefing held at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa Ikeja to commemorate the first anniversary of the second term in office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
He revealed that the state is collaborating with the Federal Government on the Renewed Hope Housing initiative to provide over 2,000 home units in Ipaja and Ibeju Lekki.
The commissioner also said there is an ongoing discussion with a private finance institution to provide 800 units at Odola in the Ikorodu division. All these initiatives are targeted at first-time owners and low-income earners, with mortgages ranging from 10 years to 15 years, he said.
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According to him, all government-owned old estates are being re-evaluated with a plan to restore their infrastructure and maximise the available lands for greater home yield.
He pointed out that some residents occupying the Lagos Homs Scheme are not complying with the extant rules put in place to promote peaceful coexistence of all allotees in the estates. Such infractions, according to him, include non-payment of service charges, bypass of electric metres and cult activities.
But he warned that if such attitude is not brought to an end, the state government will revoke the allocations of allotees who do not comply with agreements signed at the point of release of homes.
The housing commissioner also confirmed the readiness of the Lagos State Government to enhance fairness and transparency in the allocation of housing units through the use of a ballot.
He added that the first balloting exercise will be conducted for Lagos State Public Affordable Housing, Idale in Badagry Division and LagosHoms at Odo-Onosa/Ayandelu in Epe Division on the 4th of June 2024 and that the process will be monitored by independent observers.
The Commissioner warned residents of the state to be wary of the activities of dubious individuals or organisations who are parading themselves as registered real estate agents in the state.
He disclosed that it is an offence for an individual or organisation to engage in real estate business without due registration with the Lagos State Real Estate Registration Agency (LASRERA) and urged the practitioners in the sector to always act responsibly and follow the path of the law.
According to the commission, the Lagos State judiciary in collaboration with LASRERA has promised to expedite actions on court matters relating to real estate in order to obtain timely justice for defrauded members of the public.
Akinderu-Fatai highlighted the use of technology for efficiency in monitoring Housing projects, initiating of sinking fund for the external painting of the housing units in all new estates at three to five-year intervals and enforcement insurance of housing units against natural disasters and implementing 40% rebate for homes allocated to 698 civil servants in the state.
He said that the ministry through an improved revenue generation machinery was able to collect outstanding debts totalling N176, 617, 500. 00 from defaulting allotees in Millennium Housing Estate, Gbagada, Baba Omojola Housing Estate, Gbagada, Millennium Housing Estate, Oke-Eletu, Emeka Anyaokwu Housing Estate, Ikeja and Millennium Housing Estate, Ojokoro.
