In furtherance of Governor Akinwumi Ambode’s promise to continue with provision of decent and affordable housing to Lagosians, the State Government has released 108 housing units for sale at Oko Oba, Agege.
According to the General Manager, Lagos State Mortgage Board, Mr. Dehinde Tunwashe, 54 units will be on a ten year mortgage at 9.5 per cent interest rate and the remaining 54 units on outright sale.
“The Oko-Oba scheme which was recently commissioned has spacious two and three bedrooms in a beautiful gated community. It is a way of alleviating the housing problems being faced by Lagosians and meeting up with the residents’ demand for decent and affordable housing in the State.” he said.
He stressed that the Oko Oba scheme which is about 15 minutes drive from Ikeja, the heartbeat of the State, boasts of state of the art amenities such as; water treatment plant, external gas cylinder cage, electricity pre-paid meters, laundromat, utility generator, adequate parking space, community hall, estate management office, street lights and security post.
Mr. Tunwashe asssured that the State Government will continue to make provision of housing its priority and as soon as construction at different locations are completed, the houses will be put up for sale, hence residents can apply and ultimately become home owners.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government through its agency, Lagos State Planning and Environmental Monitoring Authority (LASPEMA) has issued contravention notices on some distressed buildings in Ajegunle and some other parts of Ifelodun Local Council Development Area of the State.
The contravention notices follows an inspection tour by officials of the agency who decried the unlivable state of over thirteen buildings in the area which is already structurally unstable.
According to the Agency’s Acting General Manager, Engineer Olanrewaju Kazeem who led the inspection team to these areas, he bemoaned the state of these buildings, adding that such buildings are not befitting of the status of the state in addition to the dangers it poses to its inhabitants and neighbours.
The Acting General Manager added that the defaulters of such buildings had been issued 48 hours contravention notices, while further compliance monitoring was recommended in some other cases.
Kazeem disclosed that the agency is working for a sustainable planning and environmental practice in the state, where dilapidated and inhabitable buildings like the ones in Alayabiagba, Ajegunle would become a thing of the past.
According to him, “unfriendly environmental practices like operating mechanic workshops on the road setbacks and unkempt environment had made efforts of the state government in achieving healthy and sustainable environment less productive.”
“At the various sites visited, no evidence of development permits was on ground and no project board erected. It was also gathered that some of the occupants had earlier been asked to relocate but failed to do so,” the Acting General Manager said.
Speaking with the leader of Hausa Community in the area concerning distressed structures, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar, Sarkin-Hausa of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government confirmed the case of a particular dilapidated building that is still in court without any judgement on it up till now.
Following the resolve of the agency to sensitize the public on the standard operating rules concerning planning and all other environmental related issues, the agency provided advocacy handbills to the residents of the areas in a bid to further educate and inform the general public on the required planning environmental guidelines in the state.
One of the field officers of the Agency, Mr. Yisa Salau spoke extensively on the improper discharge of waste water by the community as well as illegal washing of motorcycles on the road without concern for other road users or its effects on the environment.
Salau said, “silted drainage is not a way to show we care for our environment, it simply shows we love to waste tax payers’ money in clearing the silted drains and in rebuilding the dilapidated infrastructure.”
The Agency however appeals to Lagosians to always be cautious of the planning and environmental challenges in their areas and report to the appropriate authority for intervention and sanction in case of any abuse.
All stakeholders in the built sector are also enjoined to always do the needful in making adequate paper work preparation before the commencement of any physical project in order to avoid endangering lives of fellow Lagosians.