Lagos State government has assured of its determination to make more residents home owners within the next two years, adding that it is committed to ensuring that more Lagosians gain access to homes irrespective of their ethnicity or political persuasion.
Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, the state commissioner for housing, who gave this assurance at a meeting with the private sectors partners and joint venture investors recently, underscored the importance of the contribution of private investors in collaboration with government.
He, however, lamented that many investors involved have not complied with the time frame stipulated in their contract agreements. “Many of the private partners have not met up with the time lines thereby littering the state with many uncompleted housing schemes and causing delays in actualizing government’s mandate.”
The commissioner also revealed that the completion of all ongoing housing schemes is a major strategy which the state intends to deploy in meeting its target, urging the investors to complete the schemes allocated to them or have their contracts revoked.
“All housing schemes that had been contracted out to private sector partners and joint investors are to be completed within the time frame indicated in the contractual agreements or have them cancelled”.
Earlier, the participating investors had cited encumbrances, disappointments from funding partners and conflicts with various host communities as major difficulties faced.
The commissioner advised the investors to prove their capabilities and justify government’s confidence through working out solutions to these challenges.
“While government will do its best to intervene in some of the situations, we expect every investor to do self-audit before coming forward to take up the responsibilities of state housing scheme,” he added.
“The need to bridge the housing deficit is urgent and cannot wait till eternity to be solved,” he added.
Wasiu Akewusola, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, warned investors who did not comply with directives and instructions from government professionals on quality of materials and procedures, saying that government would not accept or endorse any shoddily completed houses from investors in the interest of the safety of future home owners.
Source: Businessdayng
