Driven by the urge to provide accessible and quality residential apartments for its citizens, the Lagos State government has ignited a fresh push for early completion of the Ilubirin housing project.
The move, The Guardian learnt, was in tandem with the State’s commitment to transform Lagos into an ultramodern mega-metropolis through its THEME programme.
With huge housing demands, compounded by large number of people moving to Lagos for greener pasture, the state is faced with the daunting task of providing shelter for a population of 20 million people in a landmass of about 1,171.28 square kilometers.
The project, which had Cyrou Builders as the main contractors, was abandoned for close to two years, before the Akinwunmi Ambode led administration jump-started the scheme, through a Joint venture agreement with private investors, who planned to inject private capitals into the project.
However, after a review of the proposals received from various companies to execute the project, the state awarded First Investment Property Company (FIDC) the contract to fulfill the vision of Ilubirin.
The new push gives fresh hope to subscribers of the public foreshore housing project being built on reclaimed land in Ikoyi Island, Lagos at the foot of the Third Mainland Bridge.
Lagos State’s Commissioner of Housing, Moruf Akinderu- Fatai said the Ilubirin project is one of the several housing projects designed to transform Lagos into an ultramodern mega-metropolis.
According to him, parties in the joint venture between the government and the First Investment Development Company (FIDC) have made commitment to the delivery of the project by the end of the year.
“ Ilubirin Foreshore Estate is a project that is very dear to the State Government.
“Despite a myriad of initial challenges and setbacks, I am pleased to inform you that FIDC, our partner, has lived up to our expectations, and even surpassed them in designing, developing and constructing a futuristic housing project that when finished, will be the envy of luxury property developers around the world.
“Revolutionary in concept, visionary in design, and stunningly beautiful in implementation, Ilubirin Foreshore Estate is the flagship of our concept for an ultramodern metropolis which will stand head and shoulders above global capital cities as first among equals in accordance with our dream of a 21st century economy comparable to others all over the world.
“At the heart of the partnership between us and FIDC is an unbreakable bond built on trust, openness and conformity to well laid-down international standards. Our partnership with FIDC is a standard Public-Private Partnership-PPP with Lagos
State providing the land and FIDC having sole authority for development, marketing and management of the Ilubirin Foreshore Estate. “Of course, we have maintained overall oversight of the project, in order to ensure that the Ilubirin Foreshore Estate is developed in line with the Masterplan for Lagos State.
“It is a plan that has at its heart an inclusive vision of excellence in public services for all Lagosians. I am pleased to inform you that FIDC has assured the State Government that the Ilubirin Foreshore concept, while ultramodern and luxurious, will provide services accessible to all dear citizens of our great State”, he said.
The commissioner also stressed that the state is working round the clock to make sure that various housing schemes across the state are delivered to cater for the diverse segments of the market.
“For instance before the end of the first quarter, the LagosHOMS Igbogbo 11b Housing Estate with 360 housing units and Lagos State Affordable Homes scheme, a joint venture, located at Idale Badagry will give us 252 bungalows in an Eco friendly environment.
“Before the end of the second quarter, the LagosHOMS Sangotedo Scheme will yield 774 units as well as the Odo Onosa Ayandelu scheme with 660 homes.
“These projects will be passed on the public through outright purchase, supported by mortgage where necessary, and of course the Rent to Own Scheme.The guardian
