Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commissioned the Egan-Igando Housing Estate, a 270 housing-unit project in Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Authority (LCDA).
The estate consists of 45 blocks of two-bedroom apartments with complimentary infrastructure.
This is as Sanwo-Olu has also announced a cash reward of N10 million to the best-graduating student of the Lagos State University (LASU), Mr. Olaniyi Mubaraq Olawale.
Inaugurating the project, Sanwo-Olu, while acknowledging the shortage of housing in the state, reiterated the determination of his administration to reduce this deficit by implementing policies that would ensure the availability of decent homes for all.
Sanwo-Olu said: “Today, we commissioned a housing project completed by this administration but initiated by previous administrations. We completed the first phase, consisting of 270 two-bedroom units, to be handed over to qualified recipients.
“In recent months, we have focused on completing housing projects inherited from the past administrations, funded through budget allocations and joint ventures with development partners. I am delighted that we have completed this project through determination and dedication.
“This is just the first phase; the second phase, which is cluster two – comprising 216 Home units, and cluster three, which will come in the third phase, comprising 360 Home units, will soon be delivered. In total, this housing estate, when completed, will deliver 846 Home units to ease the housing deficit in the state.
“The housing shortage in Lagos State is real, but our administration is determined to reduce it by implementing policies that ensure the availability of decent homes for all, regardless of ethnic, religious, or political affiliations. Our goal is to ensure no one is left behind, providing decent housing for all citizens, whether in rural or urban areas,” the governor explained.
He however urged the private sector to continue to support the state, saying the “provision of mass housing is an endeavour accomplished by the combined effort of both the public and private sectors. We urge more investors to partner with us in mass housing provision, ensuring mutual benefits for investors and the economy. Providing homes creates jobs and strengthens the financial system for all stakeholders.
“We encourage investors to explore opportunities in rural and suburban areas, where we are systematically addressing infrastructural deficits. We welcome partnerships at all levels, housing provision, convenient mortgage packaging, and people-oriented home-rental programmes,” Sanwo-Olu added.
He promised to complete the second phase, which is Cluster Two comprising 216 Home units, and Cluster Three, which will be in the third phase, comprising 360 Home units.
In his welcome address, the state Commissioner for Housing, Hon Moruf Akinderu-Fatai recalled: “The journey of Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Scheme began in 2001, with the ambitious goal of delivering 846 housing units to sub-urban dwellers in the state. However, due to funding issues, the project was abandoned and transferred to the Lagos Building Investment Corporation (LBIC) in 2006.
“Despite significant interest and financial commitments from over 924 subscribers, the project stalled again and was taken over by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure in 2013.
“With very minimal progress recorded, the project was returned to the Ministry of Housing in the Year 2016 by the former Governor, His Excellency, Akinwunmi Ambode.
“In a transformational pursuit to making Lagos a 21st Century Economy under the Year 2019 T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of our able Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo Olu, a holistic approach to complete the Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Scheme alongside other ongoing projects began.
“This led to the strategic division of the project into three clusters to facilitate its completion. It was also discovered that many buildings had failed structural integrity, leaving us the difficult but necessary decision to pull down the compromised structures and erect new ones.
“Today, we are proud to present Cluster 1, We not only celebrate the completion of these units but also the resilience, dedication, and hard work that has brought this vision to reality,” the commissioner explained.
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