By Seyi Odewale
The residents of Lagos State government-owned estates have been called upon to fully collaborate with the state government to ensure the sustainability of infrastructure, housing assets, and market value of their properties.
The residents are expected to ensure regular maintenance and partner with the State Government to improve the facilities constantly.
The state Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, who the Permanent Secretary represented, Abdulhafis Toriola, made this appeal during a monthly stakeholders meeting and enlightenment programme with residents of Lagos State Housing Estates within Ikeja Division, held at Lagos HOMS Magodo-Isheri, during the weekend.
According to the Commissioner, in a statement yesterday by the Deputy Director of Public Affairs in the Ministry, Ganiu Lawal, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration has taken significant steps to promote sustainable estate management and improve the well-beingwell-being of residents in government housing estates.
He added that the government has engaged facility managers and insurance companies to maintain and prevent risks to create sustainable, valuable, and livable estates for citizens.
Akinderu-Fatai also stated that the periodic stakeholders meeting is a strategy designed to constantly engage residents, educate them on estate management, address concerns, and inform them about the state government’s plans for estate development.
He also stressed the need for residents to promptly comply with guidelines and pay their annual service charges, sinking funds, special levies, and insurance premiums. According to him, this “will ensure the facilities within the estate remained functional and the value of the homes appreciate”
The Permanent Secretary, Abdulhafis Toriola, enjoined the residents to take ownership of their estate, as the Lagos State government’s efforts to provide affordable and sustainable housing for its residents is a partnership between the allottees and the State.
Toriola introduced the newly produced ‘Allottees’ Guide,’ which contains updated information about allottees’ responsibilities, facility managers’ annual financial obligations for the sustainability of the estates, and the Ministry’s contact details. He advised the residents to obtain a copy of the publication and keep abreast of information regarding their status.
The stakeholders meeting is a monthly exercise held across the five divisions of the State. It promotes sustainability, prevents degeneration, and ensures that state-owned housing estates are well-maintained and seen as a model of decent living. It also serves as a feedback platform for estate residents.
The Ministry invited relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as private sector organisations, to make a presentation vis-à-vis what is expected to ensure the estates remain sustainable and serve as a home heritage for generations of initial owners and residents.
The residents were lectured by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services on fire prevention, enlightened by Ministry of Environment officials on drainage, waste management, and environmental sustainability, and benefited from a presentation from the Domestic and Sexual Violence Office, amongst other things.
