Naomi Gabriel —
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday appealed to professional builders to make use of opportunities in the state to support government’s efforts towards affordable mass housing delivery.
The governor promised continued infrastructure maintenance and conducive environment to accommodate the growing and shifting population in the state.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Works, Adebayo Odusanya said this at the 31st Lagos Builders’ Conference, organised by the Lagos Chapter of Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), in Lekki.
“The Shifting Landscape: Redefining the Real Estate Industry” was important for the state, in pursuing innovations for affordable mass housing delivery and sustainability.
Sanwo-olu urged the conference to proffer solutions to the various challenges militating against provision of mass housing in the state and Nigeria, including high cost of construction and land.
He said the NIOB had over the years demonstrated excellence in providing solutions, adding that, the association’s contribution had continued to positively impact on citizens.
He said Lagos State was open to collaboration with interested investors willing to support the efforts of his administration to effect key reforms in transportation, environment, public infrastructure and tourism sectors.
“On this note, I charge the association (NIOB) to leverage on the endless opportunities of the strategic position of Lagos as one of the fastest growing economies in the world to be solution providers.
“On our part as a State Government, we will continue to maintain the available infrastructure and provide a conducive environment to accommodate the growing and shifting population in Lagos State.
“I must also commend The Nigeria Institute of Building for the deliberate efforts to promote professionalism in facility management.
I enjoin you to continue to put in more for the overall benefit of Nigerians,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor said the efforts of his administration in implementing efficient, effective and sustainable Mass Housing policy through the Lagos State Home Ownership Scheme (LAGOSHOMS) were improving lives and livelihoods.
“Our target therefore is to facilitate a Housing Finance System that will produce a foundation for long–term growth,” he said.
He said the state was progressing in the provision of mass housing, adding that his administration had “the unwavering quest to design and develop a mortgage system that supports affordable acquisition of the growing housing stock the state”.
The commissioner for Housing, Mr Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, delivering a goodwill message, urged the conference to help government with requisite skills and technology.
Akinderu-Fatai said this was needed to meet demands for vertical construction, to absorb the population influx.
The Second Vice President, NIOB, Mr Bimbo Kolade, who represented the NIOB President, Prof. Yohana Izam, gave a detailed history of the growth of the real estate sector and construction methodology.
Izam also spoke on how technology was helping to resolve issues of both housing demand and supply as well as the importance of design and supervision in building production and housing delivery.
Dr Samson Opaluwah, Chairman, Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) reeled out building infractions caused by quacks and measures adopted by the council to ensure professionals take charge.
