Ayodele Olalere
Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday honoured a former governor of the state, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, by naming a 132 units housing estate after him.
Named BRF Homes, the honour was bestowed on the former governor, now Minister of Works and Housing, during the official commissioning of the Homes built on 2.91 hectares at Iponri, Surulere.
The Homes built under LagosHoms scheme consists of 88 units of the bedroom and 44 three-bedroom units. It has 11 three-storey blocks of flats.
It is recalled the former governor Fashola hails from Surulere local government area of the state.
While commissioning the Homes, governor Sanwo-Olu said the commissioning was an
indication of the “readiness and avowed commitment to reducing the housing deficit in this State.
“It is also in fulfilment of our sacred mandate of providing decent affordable Shelter for our people,” he said.
“The commissioning of this beautiful estate marks the third ceremony of its kind in the past few days. On Saturday, we were at Idale where 252 two-bedroom terraced bungalows were delivered. We are not resting on our oars. In due course, more homes shall be commissioned in various parts of the State as all hands are on deck at all our housing schemes to ensure speedy delivery of all ongoing projects,” he added.
“I must say it is always a thing of joy for me to see the vision of a Greater Lagos actualized and the hope of a better life for our people becoming a reality. Our mandate is only fully achieved when the lives of our people are made better. We are motivated to invest more in every area of endeavour as much as lives are touched. That’s our pledge: to make a positive impact in all aspects of the lives of our people,” he further said.
Sanwo-Olu further said without good shelter, quality of life can not be enhanced.
“The commitment of this administration to the provision of good quality and affordable housing stems from our conviction that it shelters is of the notable indices of the quality of life of people. Without good shelter in well-planned habitats, quality of life cannot be enhanced. We will continue to do our best to invest in the well-being of our people in this regard. I look forward to a time when all the citizens of this state can have a decent roof over their heads without any form of financial hardship.
As we build more homes all over the State we are also generating ideas on increasing affordability and access. Good houses should not only be for the affluent. In due course, more convenient packages will be introduced to make more people come on the homeownership ladder irrespective of their socio-economic bracket.”
Earlier in the day, the governor had inaugurated another 84 housing units LagosHoms at Lekki Phase II, Eti-Osa local government.
Speaking during the inauguration at Lekki, Sanwo-Olu said the administration´s goal is to ensure that people live in well-planned communities, as it is obtainable in many cities all over the world.
The governor said that in the past months, a lot of efforts had gone into completing many of the housing schemes inherited from the past administration.
He said that while some of these projects were funded through budgetary allocations, others were being financed through joint venture arrangement with development partners.
“I am happy to note that the LagosHoms Lekki Phase II, is a product of a joint venture arrangement between the state government and STB Mortgage Bankers/Lekki Ultimate Company limited.
This marks another successful collaborative effort geared towards bridging the housing deficit in the state.
No doubt, the delivery of this housing project is a direct result of our faith in the capacity of our private sector to play a collaborative role in housing development.”
According to Sanwo-Olu, other projects the state government would commission this year includes housing schemes in Igbogbo (360 homes), Sangotedo cluster (744 homes) and Odo-Onosa-Ayandelu (662 Homes).
He added his administration will “commence the building of the State Government workers Village in Ishefun in Ayobo Ipaja LCDA with 608 two-bedroom flats solely dedicated to workers from both the private and public sectors in the state.
“Another Workers’ Village with 501 two-bedroom apartments which will be a joint venture with our development partners will also start in Imota. The good news is that these housing schemes will be complemented with convenient mortgage package for workers,´´ he said.
