by Usman Alabi
Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, the Lagos State Governor on Monday said his administration has so far injected 1,000 additional housing units into the state and the schemes are now ready for occupation by interested residents.
The governor stated this at an inspection tour of ongoing projects in the Eastern axis of the State, he added that the official flag off of the allocation of the housing units would commence on December 9, 2016, while interested residents of the State need not know anybody before applying.
The governor was briefed at the Sir Micheal Otedola Housing Estate in Odoragunshin, Epe by the State’s Commissioner for Housing, Mr Gbolahan Lawal, who said the estate was part of the schemes earmarked for the rent-to-own policy of the state government. Lawal said the 336 Housing units comprised of 180 units of room and parlour; 90 units of one bedroom apartment and 80 units of two bedroom apartment.
He added that as part of the people-friendly gesture of the Akinwunmi Ambode administration, the prices of the units have been reduced thus the two bedroom which was hitherto N7.2 million has been reduced to N3.5 million, while the one bedroom which was N4.3 million has been reduced to N2.3 million. The room and parlour unit has also been reduced to N1.5 million.
In response to this, the governor said “when you consider the economic recession and then the inability of our people to actually process mortgage, we think it is time for government to be more responsive and that is why we are adjusting the mortgage scheme to rent-to-own policy.
“We think it is better that people can just come in and pay one month rent and continue to pay their rent on a monthly basis. These housing units are for the people and we want the people to have access to them.
“If Lagosians are interested in owning, they don’t need to pay any down payment of mortgage, they should just approach us and apply. They don’t need to know anybody also. It will be open to everybody. This is more about the people. As we speak now, we have over a thousand units that are going up for rentage and as we proceed, we will add additional units some in partnership with the private sector.
“We are going to have new schemes coming up in Ajegunle, Badagry, Alimosho and other areas. The whole essence is to increase the purchasing power of Lagosians,” Ambode said.
Do you consider this an indication that the state understands the economic situation of her people, or could we tag this as building for recession? In spite of the reduction in the price of the houses and the nonpayment of mortgage, do you still think it is affordable for the middle income earners? Share your views with us on this issue. You can leave your comments below.