Ayodele Olalere
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, commissioned the 11th housing estate since his administration came on board over two years ago, and reiterated his administration’s commitment to building affordable houses across the state.The estate, Bayview Estate, located at Ikate-Elegushi, Lekki consists of a 100-unit of 68 terraces of 4 bedrooms with a maid’s room each and 32 flats of 3 bedrooms with a maid’s room.
According to the governor, the project was initiated four years ago when he was serving as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), adding it was a joint venture between the state government and Misa Ltd.
Speaking at the commissioning, the governor disclosed that before the ending of the year and first quarter of next year, another set of housing estate will be commissioned in Ibese, Ikorodu, Agbowa, Anthony, Sangotedo, and Epe.
He said apart from commissioning of the projects, phase two of those projects will also be initiated at the same time and pledged that his administration will continue to work with the private sector in addressing the issue of housing deficit in the state.
The governor also named a block of the project after a GradeLevel-15 staff of LSDPC, late Engr. Wakilu Hamzat.
The late Hamzat who had put in over 25 years in service, died in the early hours of Wednesday, October 13th, few hours before the commissioning.
According to Sanwo-Olu, “In honour of Engr Wakilu Hamzat, we name block C after him. I enjoin our engineers to specially paint the block so we will be able to acknowledge his great work.
“Wakilu was somebody I personally know. He will be greatly missed but we thank God for his life. He has put in nothing less than 25 years in the service,” the Governor stated.
He promised that the State Government would sponsor his children education through scholarship.
In his remarks, the State’s Commissioner for Housing, Mr Moruf Akinderu-Fatai said Sanwo-Olu’s administration is committed to resolving the housing deficit in the state in order to boost its economy and increase the Internally Generated Revenue.
He stated that construction works at the various sites of housing schemes across the state had resulted in economic vibrancy for both skilled workers and artisans through the creation of direct and indirect employment.
“In completing more homes, we are re-echoing and underscoring a resolve not only to bring solutions to the issue of housing deficit in the state but also to revitalize the economy, improve our total environment and increase the sense of wellbeing of the people. In line with the transformational agenda of this administration tagged THEMES, the state under the able leadership of Mr. Governor has continued to charge forward in addressing the issues that are germane to the wellbeing of the citizenry. Through various interventions in the housing sector, more homes have been provided and many liveable and model communities have been created all over the state”, the Commissioner said.
In his welcome address, the Managing Director of LSDPC, Dhikrullah Har-Yusuph said, “Before Bayview Estate became what you are seeing today, I can boldly say that its former state was a far cry from what we can see here today.
“This land was a marshy, swampy lowland that is typical of the terrain in this vicinity. To this end, I would like to acknowledge the massive investment committed by our partner, Messrs. Misa Ltd into the sub-structural element of the estate. Today, we have an estate ready for habitation without any fear of flooding despite the terrain.”