The Lagos State Government has expressed its determination to deliver homes that are safe and fit for habitation to its residents.
This position was reiterated by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Lagos State, Mr Kamar Olowoshago, when he led the Management team to inspect the Joint Venture Housing Schemes at Abraham Adesanya Estate and others at Lekki and Ajah axis, Lagos.
In a statement by the Director, Public Affairs of the state Ministry of Housing, Mrs Adeola Salako, the permanent secretary expressed concerns about the non-compliance of Joint Venture partners with terms of the agreement including contract life span, the scope of work and structural and safety guidelines. He said” sadly many partners are elongating the construction period thereby worsening the housing deficit in the state.
He said, “This is disappointing as the State Government is desirous of releasing these homes to the people within the shortest possible period.”
He noted that some partners are not following standard safety guidelines laid down by the Ministry of Housing while other went beyond their scope in changing designs or increasing a number of homes without recourse to the Ministry.
He warned that all issues bordering on non-compliance, infractions and breach of terms of the agreement will result in consequences for the erring partners. At Abraham Adesanya Estate, Ajah,
Olowoshago observed various contraventions by residents particularly in the alteration of homes without due approval from the Ministry of Housing.
“These have compromised the safety standard of the homes and altered the original prototypes of the Estate, ” he added.
He pointed out that in solving housing deficit issues in the State, the state government will not overlook pertinent issues such as the safety of buildings and town planning requirements geared towards making Lagos State a model mega city and 21st Century Economy.
He promised that all the anomalies by both partners and residents will be analysed and resolved in the best way possible, noting that all stakeholders should do their best to justify the huge confidence reposed in them by the State Government and support its various initiatives in solving the accommodation challenges of the citizens of the State.
Responding, the Chairman of Abraham Adesanya Residents Association, Mrs Bolanle Bodede while expressing happiness at the commitment of the State Government to the well-being of residents appealed for the promptness in addressing the issues of further degradation of the estate.
The Permanent Secretary was accompanied by the Management of the Ministry and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Housing, Ayodeji Amodu.
