Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu says his administration has delivered no fewer than 10 housing units in six years to bridge the accommodation deficit.
The governor disclosed this during the inauguration of Lagos State Housing Estate, Ajara, Badagry, on Wednesday.
Major highlights of the year were the groundbreaking of phase two of the project and the renaming of the estate after the former Head of Service in the state, Sunny Akinsanya Ajose.
The event marked the opening of the 24th housing estate by the administration, an achievement the governor described as ‘ a major milestone on our path to creating a Greater Lagos.’
In the past six years, the governor said his administration has successfully rolled out 23 housing estates, creating over 10,000 homes for people across all income levels-low, middle, and high-throughout the five divisions of Lagos.
‘As we near the end of this administration, our commitment to closing the housing gap remains strong, focusing on smart infrastructure investments that push development beyond just the city center,’ he said.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the housing project being inaugurated has created over 1,300 jobs, both directly and indirectly, during its construction phase.
He added that more jobs will come from managing the facilities and other estate services once everything is fully occupied.
Started by the previous administration, he said his government breathed new life and purpose into it, thereby transforming the gateway to a great city and enhancing the newly expanded Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
‘Today, we are excited to launch Phase I, which includes 420 housing units that are now fully completed and ready for residents.
‘Our dedication to thoughtful city planning, quality living, and sustainable development has also led us to kick off the groundbreaking for Phase II of this project.
‘This new phase will dramatically change Badagry’s skyline with high-rise buildings that will be at least seven stories tall.
‘It is a strategic move to make the most of our land resources, accommodate more families, and highlight the vast investment potential and untapped opportunities that exist in this corridor,’ the governor said.
This new estate in Badagry, he said, was a testament to his dedication to creating livable communities.
‘It comes fully equipped with modern amenities – well-paved roads, a water treatment facility with both overhead and underground storage, an efficient drainage system, secure perimeter fencing, a gatehouse, a sewage treatment plant, ample parking spaces, walkways, and a comprehensive electrification network complete with transformers,’ he said
He pointed out that his administration took pride in aligning efforts with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Agenda, aiming to provide affordable and sustainable homes for the citizens.
He said the government is also in talks with financing organizations eager to partner with Lagos State to deliver mass housing and introduce innovative solutions that make home ownership more attainable and accessible.
‘To enhance affordability, we plan to subsidize the selling prices of the housing units. Twenty percent of the homes will be set aside for members of the Medical Guild, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (Lagos State Chapter), and other public and private sector unions. ‘Additionally, public servants will receive rebates as a token of appreciation for their dedicated service to our state, ‘ he said.
Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Housing in Lagos State, Hon Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, said the project demonstrated that affordable mass housing delivery in the state is not confined to only the metropolis.
‘From Lekki to Igando, from Epe to Badagry, from Ikorodu, Igbogbo to Ikeja, the state government resolve remains the same: to ensure that every resident, regardless of location, has access to decent and dignified accommodation,’ he said
The Ajara housing scheme comprises phases I and II and is situated on a land area of 18.9 hectares. Phase one is fully completed with 35 blocks of 12-in-1 residential buildings. Each building comprises four units of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom semi-furnished apartments with installed complimentary facilities such as a kitchen, kitchen cabinets, light fixtures, and wardrobes.
Infrastructure includes roads, a good drainage system, ample car parks, external electrification, perimeter fence, water treatment plant and reticulation, sewage treatment plant and sewer lines, and landscaping.
The project development covers a total road network length of approximately 2.825 meters, and provision is made for about 1,127 car capacity to ensure adequate and spacious parking capacity for residents and visitors.