The Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Mr Maruf Akinderu-Fatai, on Wednesday said the state was ready to compete with other smart global cities through the provision of affordable housing for all.
Akinderu-Fatai told newsmen in Alausa that several people migrate to Lagos everyday from all parts of the country without any plans of returning to their hometowns, hence, the need to bridge the housing deficit.
“Lagos is the unique destination of choice for not only Nigerians but also nationals of neighbouring countries. People come to Lagos for every reason. They do not have any plans for going back, thereby increasing the housing deficit on daily basis.
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“We have to provide decent accommodation for them all,” he said in a statement by Mrs Adeola Salako, Director, Public Affairs of the ministry.
The commissioner, who was a former member of the Lagos State House Committee on Housing at the Federal House of Representatives between 2007 and 2015, said that in spite of the challenges of the huge gap, the incumbent administration was capable of resolving the issues through sustained efforts.
He added that the “Ministry of Housing will speedily complete some of the ongoing housing schemes, while private sector participation will be energized to yield an added value in the sector”.
He said that Lagos had the wherewithal to compete favourably with smart cities of the same category all over the world in provision of housing.
“Actualising the vision of building a 21st century economy with decent shelter for all is within reach. Lagos is blessed with the potentialities and we are strongly committed to bringing it to fruition.’’
He called on all stakeholders in the housing sector to support the government in order to speedily achieve the vision of providing qualitative and affordable homes for all classes of Lagos residents.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Mrs Adetoke Benson-Awoyinka, said the ministry would look into the provision of temporary shelter for the distressed and vulnerable people to reduce the problem of homelessness and destitution. (NAN)