MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING GOVERNMENT-OWNED HOUSING SCHEMES, A PRIORITY – LASG
The Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai has said that adequate maintenance of facilities in the existing state-owned Housing Schemes is one of the priorities of the Lagos State Government led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Akinderu-Fatai, who stated this at a review meeting held recently with the staff of the Ministry, added that as part of the goals of the present administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda, the State Government is highly interested in the well-being of the residents of the estates and will do its best in ensuring the durability of infrastructure in the estates.
In his words: “Lagos, in its pursuit of the objectives of the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda, aimed at transforming the state, is working on various initiatives targeted at guaranteeing a longer life span of the infrastructure in its housing schemes”.
“The infrastructure includes central sewage treatment plants, water treatment plants, a network of roads and drainages as well a standby generator for electricity. Our efforts in the past three years are geared towards making Lagos a 21st Century Economy and a model megacity with decent homes for all”.
“We do not only provide homes, but we also deliver complimentary infrastructure that can transform the homes into livable communities. As such, our ultimate goal is to ensure that the facilities stand the test of time so that the allottees can enjoy their investment in homeownership for a long period of years”, he said.
The Commissioner further revealed that qualified facility managers are being engaged to manage all the joint facilities so that they can serve the people satisfactorily.
He, therefore, enjoined homeowners to have a sense of ownership by taking charge of the facilities and reporting maintenance issues as soon as they occur, saying “I want to implore homeowners to always be on the alert to bring any problem to the attention of the facility managers”.
Akinderu-Fatai also pointed out that the State Government has already commissioned 17 schemes with an additional five located at Odo-Onosa/Ayandelu, Agbowa, Gbagada, Egan-Igando Cluster I and Sangotedo Phase II at various stages of completion.
He pointed out that provision of decent housing is one of the key components of the transformation agenda of the present administration, particularly towards making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, hence the huge investment in housing development by the State Government.
On the efforts of the State in bridging the housing gap, he disclosed that despite the work done in the past three years, the State Government is strategising on developing more homes to match up with the increasing migration to the State from every part of the federation.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Mr. Kamar Olowoshago reiterated the commitment of the State Government to increasing the housing stock in Lagos while ensuring the adequate maintenance of existing ones.
He urged all stakeholders, particularly homeowners, to align with the State Government‘s initiatives by cooperating with the facility managers so that the State Government’s vision of sustainable housing can be fully achieved.
AS/TMS/KO
