By Seyi Odewale
Lagos State Government has called for stronger maintenance, accountability and collaboration among facility managers and residents to preserve government-owned housing estates.
The Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, made the call at a facility management workshop organised by the ministry in Ikeja, Lagos, with more than 80 residents’ associations and 102 stakeholders in attendance.
The workshop, themed “Know Your Estate to Own It,” brought together facility managers, government officials, residents’ representatives and other stakeholders involved in managing Lagos State-owned housing estates.
Akinderu-Fatai said the government’s responsibility did not end with constructing and delivering housing projects, stressing that proper management and maintenance were essential to preserving their long-term value.
He urged closer cooperation among the ministry, facility managers, residents’ associations and residents, particularly on service charges, compliance with estate regulations and maintenance of shared infrastructure.
The commissioner also called for professional standards in facility management, saying procurement, maintenance and specialised infrastructure decisions should be guided by technical competence.
He further advocated realistic service charges and the establishment of reserve or sinking funds to enable estates to undertake major maintenance without relying solely on government.
Technical sessions led by the Managing Director of Green Facilities Limited, Dr Olumide Aina, focused on four pillars of modern facility management — people, process, technology and workplace.
Participants were encouraged to shift from reactive repairs to preventive maintenance, conduct regular facility condition assessments, improve financial accountability and deploy technology for maintenance tracking, security, communication, utility management and record-keeping.
The workshop also stressed the need for accurate asset registers, transparent budgeting and stronger relationships between facility managers, residents and estate executives.
In his closing remarks, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Engr Abdulhafis Toriola, urged stakeholders to embrace collaboration and constructive feedback to improve estate management.
He also stressed compliance with regulations governing land use, property extensions and the conversion of residential properties to other uses.
The ministry recognised four estates for good management practices. Abraham Adesanya Housing Estate, Ajah, was recognised for dynamic estate management; Emeka Anyaoku Housing Estate as a viable estate; Choice Estate, Agbowa, as a highly resilient estate; and Lateef Kayode Jakande Housing Estate as a conforming estate.
The ministry said the workshop was aimed at strengthening stakeholders’ capacity to manage government housing assets and promote sustainable maintenance practices.
It urged participants to apply the knowledge gained in preventive maintenance, financial transparency, technology adoption, emergency preparedness and stakeholder engagement.
The government maintained that sustaining public housing assets requires collective responsibility among facility managers, estate executives and residents to protect infrastructure and preserve the value of government investments.
