187, 500 New Houses Needed to Reduce Lagos Deficit

Aderinsola Jolaosho October 12, 2016

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Nigeria, a country with an estimated population of over 170 million people has been said to be facing a housing million housing deficit. Lagos state is Nigeria’s centre of excellence and business centre. Thus, any housing deficit that affects Nigeria affects Lagos in a big deal. In the next five years, Lagos may be facing an estimated 2.5 million housing deficit. There is a need for an additional 187,500 to reduce the deficit, according to the Lagos state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

In the next five years, Lagos may be facing an estimated 2.5 million housing deficit. There is a need for an additional 187,500 to reduce the deficit, according to the Lagos state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

This figure was given at the 2016 World Habitat Day organised by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Dec. 17, 1985, the United Nations General Assembly designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day.

It is a day to reflect on the condition of cities and towns as well as the basic right of all to adequate shelter.The theme for this year’s commemoration is ‘ Housing at the Centre’. He stated that the demand for shelter and new houses had continued to rise due to increasing population growth.

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“The demand for shelter and new houses had continued to rise due to population growth, increasing urbanisation and a daily influx of people into the state. Shelter, which ranks next to food as a human necessity is one of the social responsibilities of government. Provision of affordable houses remains a major focus of this administration in our quest to make life comfortable for the people”, says the Lagos state governor.

We are determined to achieve this via policy initiatives such as Rent-To-Own scheme, Outright Purchase Home Ownership, Public/Private Partnership and strengthening the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme,” he said.

Ambode, represented by his deputy, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, pledged to check the excesses of developers who flout building regulations in the state. And in fact, read out a riot act to property developers and contractors. Stating that government would no longer tolerate flagrant disregard of the law as part of measures to eliminate the incidences of building collapse in the state.

He said the government was also committed to simplifying the requirements for access to land and processes for the grant of Certificate of Occupancy and Planning Permit in the state.

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The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, says that Lagos Metropolitan Area had attained a Mega City status due to its population of over 21 million.This status is not only challenging to housing provision, but exerts pressure on infrastructure in the state. The Ambode administration is repositioning strategies of delivering decent and affordable housing units to the citizens of Lagos.

I commend the Lagos state government for this bold step. Every Lagosian should appreciate his kind gesture by participating in the provision of these houses. The real estate industry should be expanded and everyone that can afford to buy lands and build estates should participate in enlarging and devloping Lagos. Everyone should buy as much properties as possible from the best online real estate company. Lagosians can start buying now!!!

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