At Building Expo 2021 Day 1, Officials Reiterate Lagos State Govt’s Plans For Housing For All

TAIWO ADELU

Senior officials of the Lagos State Government have again reiterated the plan of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo – Olu to make one of the components of his T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda, which is Housing for All, a reality that will be beneficial to all Lagosians.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of Radio Lagos/EKO FM Building Expo 2021 on Monday, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry Information & Strategy, Mr. Olusina Thorpe told the audience at the event that Governor Sanwo-Olu has recently commissioned a housing project in Igbogbo area of Ikorodu, the fifth of such commissioning since he assumed office. He added that more housing projects are still in the pipeline which are targeted in fulfilment of the government to provide housing for all.

While appreciating the management of Radio Lagos/EKO FM for putting the Expo together, Thorpe noted “we cannot over emphasised the importance of housing in the life of people, hence the seriousness of Mr. Governor in providing qualitative and affordable housing for the Lagosians,” he said.

According to Thorpe, who represented the Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr.Gbenga Omotosho at the opening ceremony, the Lagos State Government welcomes the participation of individuals and private sector in adding values to housing sector in the state, adding that through partnerships and mortgaging, housing for all initiative will become a reality.

“I will also want to encourage contractors and other builders in the sector to always go for standard materials in building constructions in order to avoid future calamity that always resulted in building collapse. I will also called on contractors, artisans and other workers in the housing sector to make use of various government agencies in ensuring that they are in strict compliance to all regulations in the process of constructing buildings in the state.”

Mrs. Adeola Salako, who represented the Commissioner for Housing, disclosed the plan of the government which is working hard to address housing deficit in the state. According to her, the incumbent government would continue to build more houses, adding that financing mechanism is being put in place for the poor segment of the society in the home owner initiative of the state government.

Meanwhile, the Guest Speaker, Engr (Dr.) Oyelade of Civil and Environmental Department, University of Lagos, while speaking on the topic: ” “Building Materials in Lagos State: Access and Assessment.”, disclosed that the academicians have been working assiduously to ensure that Nigeria’s building industry graduated from that olden days methods of buliding houses to these days of mdern technology.

To Engr. Oyelade, Nigerian researchers have done a lot in their findings in modern technology to improve on the building materials currently in use. He called on the government and private sector to cue into this development by partnering with the researchers/academicians in making their results available for commercial purpose which will in turn help in reducing prices of building materials and also enhance high standard.

He said: “Holistic aproach should be adopted to get standard in the buliding industry in Nigeria.”

Speaking in her opening remarks, General manager of Radio Lagos/EKO FM, Mrs. Ayo Shotonwa revealed that the foremost Nigeria’s radio stations are not new entrants in the business of organising exhibitions and expos, adding that Radio Lagos/EKO FM are proud organisers of the foremost Lagos Housing Fair (LHF) that had the gracious support and presence of former Heads of States…and the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande.

According to her, Radio Lagos/EKO FM are holding this particular exhibition solely for arbiter and key players in the building industry.

“The theme for this exhibition is “Sustaining the Lagos State THEMES agenda on Housing” with the core mandate to provide “Affordable Housing For All”, and we’re hoping this fair will create a level playing ground for Lagosians to have access to quality and affordable choices, from choice of land, to structure, quality materials and even delightful interior and finishings

“Arguably, quality building materials and due diligence will also help forestall building mishaps that intermittently plague pages of newspaper headlines and bulletins,” Mrs. Shotonwa said.

P.M. EXPRESS reports that dignitaries at the opening ceremony included Oba Muyideen Adebowale Balogun,Onisolu of Isolu, Alade Kingdom, Ibeju Lekki, representatives of partnering agencies of the state government, exhibitors and others.