Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to assisting the real estate sector in addressing the state’s housing deficit.
Sanwo-Olu spoke at a ceremony on Saturday at Falomo Towers, a high-rise building that will be built on the site of the old Falomo Shopping Complex in Ikoyi.
According to him, the conflicts that arose when the concept was first conceived were proof that individual differences could always be reconciled for the greater good.
Sanwo-Olu said, “For me, this is an important but a very simple event. Falomo has a lot of history behind it. The name, the location, where it sits in Lagos, where it sits in Ikoyi. It has decades of history behind it.
“For us to be bringing back the old glory, the old ambience that we all grew up to know, I think it’s very phenomenal and it is a history that we should not forget. Like they said, good intentions also have its own time before it nurtures. I was privileged to be the MD of LSDPC when we all started this almost 10 years ago.”
In her opening remarks, the Managing Director of Afriland Properties, Mrs Uzo Oshogwe, lauded Governor Sanwo-Olu for the unflinching support he had shown towards the real estate sector in the state.
She said, “I am delighted to welcome you to the sod-turning ceremony of our Falomo Towers development, a joint-venture development between Afriland Properties and Lagos State Development and Property Corporation.
“We picked the theme for this milestone ‘The revival of a landmark’ because, with this project, we intend to give Ikoyi back its lost landmark.
“This time, it is bigger and better. This development is a mixed-use development.
“It speaks sustainability, creativity and innovation. This development will fulfil our promise to beautify and enhance the Lagos skyline. It is one iconic building at a time.”
Also addressing the gathering, the Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for “the belief and support for the private sector to succeed in Lagos State, under the leadership of His Excellency, the Governor. We believe that the development of our continent lies in the hands of the private sector.”
He also applauded Sanwo-Olu for his role in arbitrating through the conflicts that arose with the conception of the idea which eventually gave birth to the Falomo Towers project.
Upon completion, Falomo Towers is expected to become the benchmark for sustainable development and timeless architectural design.
PUNCH