•LAGOS Commissioner For Housing, Hon. MORUF AKINDERU FATAI Explains
Hon. Moruf Akinderu Fatai is the Honourable Commissioner for Housing in Lagos State. Immediately he got his portfolio, he hit the ground running and he has initiated so many moves in the Housing sector which he revealed in a recent interview with a special Lagos State publication published to celebrate Gov. Sanwo Olu’s 200 Days in office.
Below are excerpts of Hon. Fatai’s revelations on what Gov. Sanwo Olu is doing in Housing and unveils the Housing Agenda.
Can you give us an overview of the Housing sector in Lagos State?
The Housing sector in Lagos comprises of efforts by both formal and informal shelter providers to meet the increasing housing needs of the residents of the state. This sector is the bedrock of other developmental activities as housing is a basic human need, second only to food. Housing determines the health indices, socio-economic parameter and self-esteem of a people.
Activities in the sector also contribute to economic growth in terms of job provision along the value chain, from conception to contribution and delivery of the houses. Housing deficit is high in Lagos because of the huge number of people moving to Lagos on a daily basis in search of the·economic opportunities provided by the state.
What is the mandate of your Ministry?
To ensure the provision of adequate and good quality housing in Lagos megacity and facilitate easy access of its citizens to homeownership. This we achieve through concerted efforts to build good quality houses at a very affordable cost through budgetary allocation and partnership with the private sector. The state government grants access to homes through outright purchase, rent to own scheme and a mortgage system that is convenient.
Are there measures in place to address the problems of people who cannot afford houses and do not have the financial capacity to acquire houses?
Yes, this is the basic thrust of the Rent to Own Scheme. Houses are perhaps the most expensive capital expenditure that a person will make in life. To make it easier, the rent to own scheme permits a first time owner who is a resident of Lagos State to pay only 5% of the cost of the house, the rest of the cost is spread over 10 years on a monthly payments at a rate not more than 33% of the person s income. This is to allow him or her to meet other needs. This has greatly reduced the financial obstacles to house ownership. There are also solid plans for social housing in providing accommodation for those displaced as a result of emergencies disaster or domestic violence.
What are the objectives for your tenure in this administration?
(a) The objectives of our ministry is to complete all existing housing projects inherited by the present administration (b) Conceive and execute more based on availability of unencumbered land (c) Develop strategies that will optimize the limited land space available in Lagos state to provide more homes for the residents (d) Pursue existing structures that are in place for speedy provision of houses example PPP and JV. Presently 14 Joint Ventures have been revitalized to deliver about 1000 homes before the end of last quarter of 2020 (e) Strengthen all the components of the provision of housing. Land labour finance infrastructure. In this regard, the Craftsmanship scheme targeted at upgrading skills of artisans through collaboration with professional guilds and technical colleges is being targeted at 1000 artisans from all over the state (f) Transform some of our dilapidated estates to sustainable and livable cities through provision of facilities such that will strengthen community live (g) Formulate housing policies that will support governments vision in the sector
What is your ministry doing to fit into the THEMES agenda and the greater Lagos dream?
Providing of decent homes that are affordable thereby increasing the stock of decent homes and reducing housing deficit. The ministry also provides access to homes for Lagosians through outright purchase and rent to own scheme.
Conceiving and executing more housing schemes based on the availability of unencumbered land.
Developing strategies that will optimize the limited land space available in Lagos state to provide more homes for the residents.
Pursuing existing structures that are in place for speedy provision of houses e.g PPA and JV. Presently 14 Joint Ventures have been revitalised to deliver about 1000 homes before the end of the last quarter of 2020.
Strengthening all the components of the provision of housing, land labour finance infrastructure. In this regard, the Craftsmanship scheme targeted at upgrading skills of artisans through collaboration with professional guilds and technical colleges is being targeted at 1000 artisans from all over the state.
Transforming some of our dilapidated estates to sustainable and liveable cities through the provision of facilities such that will strengthen community live.
Formulating housing policies that will support governments vision in the sector.
THE PLANS INCLUDE
Completion of all existing housing projects through both budgetary allocation and joint ventures. About a total of 3500 is targeted for delivery in Igbogbo 11b, Sangotedo Phase 1 Odo Onosa/Ayandelu and others from budgetary allocation and 1000 from joint ventures on Housing projects all over the state including Abraham Adesanya Estate Iponri Lekki Idale to mention a few.
Completion of an estate transferred to the Ministry of Housing by Ministry of the Environment. The project consists of 1,2 bedroom flats built from the ecological fund. This estate which is 80% completed is to be used for social housing.
To improve the availability of skilled labour through Craftsmanship programs targeted at 1000 artisans in the profession of Masonry, tilling painting electrical works etc.
Regenerate selected old estates into livable cities.
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