Mayor Dele Oshinowo, the Executive Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State has revealed why his administration set out to change the narrative in council governance with a target of building over 1000 housing units, to frontally tackle issue of housing deficit in the area and make life better for people.
Oshinowo spoke during a media tour of some of the housing projects, including Raymond Estate, Sterling Heights Estate and Greenwich Gardens in the area.
The housing projects, the chairman said, was a way of transforming the LCDA from a slum to mega city and align with the Lagos Mega City vision.
According to him, this includes relocating residents and creating over 1,000 housing units (170 plots and 266 units) through the Site and Service scheme
He said that recently the council inaugurated Greenwich housing estate of about 101 units of mixed development on Dec. 15, 2023, consisting, semi-detached, detached and terraces- “the first of its kind in Nigeria by an LCDA”.
Oshinowo said: “We are about to also inaugurate another housing estates (Raymond and Sterling Heights) consisting about 170 units.
“When we came on board in 2017, our concern was how do we change the narrative of governance at the grassroots because, most times, people look at local government as a place where we do only empowerment.
“When we realise the deficit in the housing sector and the need to create shelter for the people, we look at our comparative advantage as a council with mass expense of land lying fallow, and we venture into housing.”
According to him, the council has successfully turned areas that used to be den of miscreants and criminals into profitable use through the housing projects.
Oshinowo said that though the project was conceived by his predecessors, he was able to partner with private sector and the state government to achieve the feat.
“Coming onboard, I decided to set up Property and Investment Board for the council comprising experts and seasoned administrators in land and real estate and we called in developers for signing of contracts.
“We have actually contributed to reduction of the housing deficit in Lagos and in Nigeria.
“So, we are also about to launch another one consisting 170 units of two-bedroom apartment, four-bedroom apartment, terraces, semidetached and detached anytime soon,” he said.
Oshinowo said that these housing units were affordable and the payment had been structured and spread across the construction period.
He said that the housing units ranges between N15.5 million and N18 million, saying they were affordable based on the current cost of living in the country.
He added: “At the moment, about 80 per cent of them (houses) have been sold out because payment is flexible.
“We have in total now about 271 units and there are other ones coming up, by next months, we are about to launch the Greenwich Gardens Estate Phase II comprising 248 units of two-bedroom apartments with three and four bedrooms and semi-detached.
“Also, the Lagos Homes will be coming up which is about 258 units. I want the people to key into this our vision to provide shelter. You do not need to know anyone if you meet up with requirements.”
According to him, the rush is also because people love the areas and there is 18 hours daily supply of electricity, pipe borne water, clean environment and other facilities.
“This crucial step has significantly addressed housing shortages, contributed to urban regeneration, and improved the overall quality of life,” he said.
Oshinowo added that the Property Investment Board of the LCDA has successfully introduced and delivered 98 sites and service plots of land at Akanimodo/Ajelogo Housing Scheme.
This, he said, was done through the support of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, New Town Development Authority (NTDA) and Joint Venture Partner.
Mayor Oshinowo added that his administration had also attended to other importance aspects like road infrastructure, built a 7-aside recreational centre in Agboyi Ketu, while there are plans to construct same in Ajegunle and Ketu Olorunda Mechanic Village as well as provision of other social amenities, ICT, youth development, skill acquisition, sports, healthcare with 3000 people already enlisted with Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) for the ILERA EKO scheme, environment, education, empowerment of various groups of vulnerable is also included.
