Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday commissioned 100 units of a housing project in Ikate, Lekki area of the state, reiterating his administration’s commitment to building affordable houses across the state for Lagosians.
The newly commissioned project made it 11 housing estates that would be commission by Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration in two years.
The governor made the affirmation at the commissioning of Bayview Estate, Ikate-Elegushi, Lekki, which consisted of a 100-unit of 68 terraces of 4 bedrooms with a maid’s room each and 32 flats of 3 bedrooms with a maid’s room.
The governor, at the commissioning, named a block in the headquarters of Lagos State Development Property Corporation (LSDPC), in honour of late Egnr Wakilu Amusa, a Grade Level-15 officer of the organization, who died in the early hours of Wednesday 13th October, 2021, few hours before the commissioning.
Amusa had served the Corporation for not less than 25 years before the sad incident.
Sanwo-Olu, who was a former Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of LSDPC, initiated the project, a joint venture between the state government and Misa Ltd, four years ago when he was still at the helm of affairs of the organization.
Speaking at the event, the governor disclosed that another set of housing estate would be commissioned in Ibese, Ikorodu, Agbowa, Anthony, Sangotedo, and Epe, before the ending of the year and first quarter of next year.
Besides, he said Phase 2 of the commissioned project would also be initiated at the same time, pledging that his administration would continue to work with the private sector in addressing the issue of housing deficit in the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu commiserated with LSDPC over the loss of its committed staff, Engr. Amusa, who he said was part of the team that made the project a reality.
The governor, while noting that the engineer was somebody he knew personally, said he would be greatly missed, even as he thanked God for the life the late Amusa lived.
“In honour of Engr Wakilu Amusa, we name block C after him. I enjoin our engineers to specially paint the block and we will be able to acknowledge his great work.
“Wakilu was somebody I personally know. He will be greatly missed but we thank God for his life. He has put in nothing less than 25 years in the service,” the governor stated.
He promised that the state government would sponsor his children’s education through scholarships.
The State’s Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, earlier in his remark, said Sanwo-Olu’s administration was committed to resolving the housing deficit in the state in order to boost its economy and increase Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
He further said that construction works at the various sites of the housing schemes across the state had resulted in economic vibrancy for both skilled workers and artisans through the creation of direct and indirect employment.
“In completing more homes, we are re-echoing and underscoring a resolve not only to bring solutions to the issue of housing deficit in the state but also to revitalize the economy, improve our total environment and increase the sense of wellbeing of the people.
“In line with the transformational agenda of this administration tagged: THEMES, the state under the able leadership of Mr. Governor has continued to charge forward in addressing the issues that are germane to the wellbeing of the citizenry. Through various interventions in the housing sector, more homes have been provided and many liveable and model communities have been created all over the state,” Akinderu-Fatai said.
In his welcome address, the Managing Director of LSDPC, Dhikrullah Har-Yusuph, recalled that the place in which the project was was sited had witnessed a transformation through massive investment committed to it, declaring that estate was now ready for habitation without any fear of flooding despite the terrain.
“Before Bayview Estate became what you are seeing today, I can boldly say that its former state was a far cry from what we can see here today.
“This land was a marshy, swampy lowland that is typical of the terrain in this vicinity. To this end, I would like to acknowledge the massive investment committed by our partner, Messrs. Misa Ltd into the sub-structural element of the estate. Today, we have an estate ready for habitation without any fear of flooding despite the terrain,” he said.