The Lagos State Government has stated that allottees of unoccupied home units in all government-owned estates have been given a 3-month notice to occupy their apartment or forfeit their allocation.

The Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, gave this ultimatum during a facility tour on Friday, to assess the level of completion on site at Sheridan Garden Estate, Urban Shelter, and LagosHOMS Sangotedo Phase II, in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state.

He said, “Allottees of unoccupied home units in all Government Owned Estates have been given 3 months’ notice to occupy their apartment or forfeit their allocation, a more robust plan has been developed to ensure a high level of maintenance culture in our estates and stringent guidelines have been reeled out for Facility managers and allottees who default.

“Mr. Governor has directed that low-income earners be targeted and that is why the Ministry is working with companies that can optimally make use of technology so as to deliver more affordable homes as the State Government is not out to make a profit but rather make most Lagosians homeowners.”

Akinderu-Fatai further disclosed that not less than 3,500 ongoing home units scattered all over the 5 divisions of the State would be ready for a flag-off by the end of the first year of the Sano-Olu’s administration.

He added, “The tour will afford the Ministry the opportunity to meet with contractors while on the field, discuss their challenges, give a first-hand assessment of work done so far, and proffer possible solutions to the challenges at hand.

“All hands are on deck to ensure that the vision of Mr. Governor Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu towards the realization of affordable and decent mass housing for Lagosians is actualized in no time.”

The commissioner expressed dissatisfaction at the slow pace of work by some contractors while urging them to be professional in the execution of their contracts adding that contractors who are not going by the terms and conditions of their contract will have it terminated.

Thereafter, the Special Adviser to the Governor on housing, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, advised real estate developers to be duly registered with the agency and shun quackery.

She further urged Lagosians to patronise only registered real estate developers and forward complaints to the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Abdulhafiz Toriola, during the tour advised residents of the credibility of ‘Government Owned Schemes’ urging interested homeowners to approach the Ministry of Housing to signify interest and gather all information needed rather than going through unverifiable sources. (The PUNCH)

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