Lagos vows to revoke home allocations of allottes who fail to conform with  extant regulations

CITIZENS COMPASS –The Lagos State Government on Thursday, May 9, 2024, said it would revoke home allocations of some allottes who do not comply with extant regulations across the State.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, who disclosed this also affirmed the readiness of the State Government to  provide more homes by speedily completing its ongoing housing schemes in all the administrative divisions of the State. 

The Commissioner said  this  during the Ministerial Briefing held at Bagauda  Kaltho Press Centre , Alausa, Ikeja, to commemorate the first anniversary of the second term in office of Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. 

He further revealed that the State is collaborating with the Federal government on Renewed Hope Housing initiative to provide over 2,000 home units in Ipaja and ibeju Lekki. He also said there is an ongoing discussion with a private finance institution to provide 800 units at Odola in Ikorodu division.  All these initiatives are targeted at first time owners and low income earners, with mortgages ranging from 10 years to 15 yrs , he said . 

The Commissioner also revealed that the old estates are being re- evaluated with a plan to restore their infrastructure and maximize the available lands for greater home yeild. 

In addition, he pointed out that residents of some of the Ministry’s estates do not comply with the extant rules put in place to promote peaceful coexistence of all allotees in the estates. Such infractions, according to him, include non-payment of Service charges, bypass of electric meters and cult activities. He then warned that the State Government has resolved to act resolutely by revoking the allocations of allotees who do not comply with agreements signed at the point of release of homes.

Akinderu-Fatai also used the opportunity to warn the allotees of the estates to desist from the practice of contravention of the original master plans of the estates through various alterations, modifications and adjustments. According to him, the Ministry is in the process of reverting to the original master plans and that steps have been taken to notify and seal the properties affected. He also hinted  that the State Government  may on the long run retrieve any contravening property in accordance with agreement signed with the allotees.

He also confirmed  the readiness of the Lagos State Government to enhance  fairness and transparency in the allocation of housing units through the use of ballot in the allocation of some of its home units. He added that the first balloting exercise will be conducted for Lagos State Public Affordable Housing, Idale in Badagry Division and LagosHoms at Odo-Onosa/Ayandelu in Epe Division on the 4th of June 2024 and that the process  will be monitored by independent observers. 

He further called on Lagosians to be wary of the activities of  dubious individuals or organizations who are parading themselves as registered Real Estate agents in the state. He disclosed that it is an offence for an individual or organization to engage in  Real Estate business  without due registration with  Lagos State Real Estate Registration Agency (LASRERA) and urged the practitioners in the sector to always act responsibly and follow the path of the law. Furthermore, he said the Lagos State Judiciary in collaboration with LASRERA has promised to expedite actions on court mattes relating to Real Estate in order to obtain timely justice for defrauded members of the public. 

Hon. Akinderu-Fatai , in highlighting some of the  activities of his Ministry, mentioned the introduction of Joint Venture guidelines for effective Public Private Collaboration,  the use of technology for efficiency in monitoring of Housing projects, initiating  of sinking fund  for the external painting of the housing units in all new estates at 3 to 5 years interval and enforcement of insurance of housing units against natural disasters and implementation of 40% rebate for homes allocated to 698 Civil Servants in the State. 

He further disclosed that the Ministry through an improved revenue generation machinery  was able to collect outstanding debts totalling  N176, 617, 500. 00 from defaulting allotees in Millennium Housing Estate, Gbagada, Baba Omojola Housing Estate, Gbagada, Millennium Housing Estate, Oke-Eletu, Emeka Anyaokwu Housing Estate, Ikeja and Millennium Housing Estate, Ojokoro. 

He however listed some of the challenges facing the Ministry as encroachments on  state owned land for housing projects, litigations, slow pace of work by joint venture partners, issues related to allocation of the homes due to its limited number,  inflationary trends and challenges with recalcitrant allotees and residents.