By Seyi Odewale
The Lagos State Government has revoked housing units allocated to unoccupied subscribers for over two years.
Unoccupied units constitute a nuisance in some housing estates due to unkempt premises, a shortfall in the maintenance schedule, and other negative consequences.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, during a visit to enforce Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive at one of the Lagos State Housing Estates in Sangotedo, Lekki.
In a statement yesterday by the Deputy Director of Public Affairs in the Ministry of Housing, Ganiu Lawal, the Commissioner stated that the revocation is a directive of the Governor based on empirical evidence that most allottees kept the housing units under lock while the state continued to feel the pressure of prospective subscribers who needed them.
He inspected some of the sealed blocks and flats and stated that the exercise was done irrespective of whether the allottee paid in full or applied under the Rent-To-Own schemes.
Akinderu-Fatai restated the state government’s concern: “Lagos State Government Housing Units are meant for those who need them and not speculators.” The various initiatives of the Sanwo-Olu-led administration to increase the state’s housing stock will not be sacrificed for the interest of the privileged few.
“Applying for a rent-to-own scheme presupposes the allottee is in desperate need of accommodation; why should such allotted flats be left unoccupied after 2 years?” queried the Commissioner.
He reiterated that the State Government would not allow its investment and state-of-the-art housing infrastructure to rot away while genuine home seekers lament.
The Commissioner reaffirmed that the Ministry “will refund such allottees and reallocate the housing units to other Lagosians who are ready to use the houses immediately.”
The Commissioner repeated the rule in the letter of allocation given to allottees that “allocated housing estate flats should be occupied 3 months after allocation and keys released to beneficiaries”. The estates have shared facilities that should be maintained with the contribution of all allottees.
In the last five years, the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commissioned 21 housing estates through direct intervention and public-private partnerships. The housing estates, spread across the state, were provided with infrastructure facilities for decent living.
