Kunle Awosiyan
After about 23 years of controversy, resolution and eventual kickoff of the Egan – Igando Mixed Housing Scheme project, the Lagos State Government on Thursday, inaugurated 270 units of two-bedroom flats. at Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos.
The Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai disclosed that subcribers with full payment would get alocation without additional cost.
As he put it, “Governor Sanwo-Olu, in his magnanimity, has graciously approved that all existing subscribers with full payment for either a unit of two bedrooms or three bedrooms be given allocation from Cluster One at no additional fees to the selling price.”
Akinderu-Fatai, who noted that the gesture by the Governor is to appreciate the trust and commitment of the subscribers over time in Lagos State, said other subscribers with more than 50 percent commitment on the initial selling price shall be considered with an option to balance up at the current selling price.
The project located in the Ikeja Division of Lagos State is Cluster One of the proposed 101 blocks of 846 home units made up of one, two and three-bedroom apartments on a land area of 17.358 hectares to provide decent accommodation for sub-urban dwellers.
The housing project, which defied all efforts at completion for several years, was successfully delivered on Thursday by Governor Sanwo-Olu-led administration to reduce the housing deficit and provide decent accommodation for residents in the State.
The Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Estate (Cluster One) has infrastructural components that include a network of well-structured roads, a well-channeled drainage system, an ingestion station, ample car parks, potable water, a perimeter fence, a central sewage treatment plant, and electricity transformers.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Governor Sanwo-Olu promised to complete the remaining 576 home units in Clusters Two and Three of the Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Estate for more residents to benefit, irrespective of their ethnicity or political affiliations.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who appealed to beneficiaries to take ownership of the project and protect it from vandals, said his government is ready to partner with the private sector to build more affordable housing estates in Lagos State.
He said, “The completion of this project will address the urgent need for affordable housing and also foster a sense of community and belonging among our residents. This project is designed to cater to diverse economic groups, reflecting a vision of an inclusive society where everyone has a home.
“We must innovate and partner with private investors to bridge the gap, which we cannot do alone. We need to enhance our public and private investments in housing. We must continue to build decent homes. I will like to appeal to future occupants to please ensure good maintenance of these facilities.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu also urged traditional rulers and community leaders to provide more land for the government to build more infrastructure in rural areas.
Akinderu-Fatai, said the Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Estate is a landmark project that stands as a testament to Governor Sanwo Olu’s commitment to providing affordable and quality housing for the residents of Lagos State.
He noted that the project experienced a lot of challenges due to a paucity of funds, appealed to the private sector to partner with the Lagos State Government to provide more affordable housing for residents.
He said: “This significant occasion marks the completion of 270 units of two-bedroom apartments, a vital step towards alleviating the housing deficit in Lagos, hence bringing succor to the beloved people of the Igando-Ikotun LCDA in Alimosho LGA.
“Today, we are proud to present Cluster 1, with 45 blocks consisting of 270 units of two-bedroom apartments with complimentary infrastructure. We not only celebrate the completion of these units but also the resilience, dedication, and hard work that have brought this vision to reality.
“As we hand over the keys to the new homeowners, we reaffirm our commitment to completing Clusters 2 and 3. We will continue to work assiduously to overcome any challenges, ensuring that every promised unit is delivered. This project is a clear indication that when we combine vision with dedication, the results are transformative.”
Akinderu-Fatai commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for his great determination and unusual support for the housing sector, particularly on the completion and delivery of the Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Estate.
The Chairman of Igando-Ikotun LCDA, Hon. Lasisi Akinsanya, and Onigando of Igando Land, Oba Lasisi Gbadamosi, praised Governor Sanwo-Olu for the Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Estate, saying they appreciated the good gesture.
Echonews gathered that the large expanse of land, which had now become an estate was owned by the Federal Government for Maize production before 1999 political dispensation but was abandoned due to lack of capacity by the federal government.
It was also learnt that some land speculators intruded the place and illegally sold part of it to some people, which later became a serious legal war at the time.
However, the Lagos state administration of Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over the place in 2021 to build housing estate for the growing population in old Alimosho Local Government Area.
Lagos State Ministry of Housing started the project in 2001 with 33 Blocks (18 in 1) of Two (2) Bedrooms. By the year 2002, most of the blocks had been abandoned at different stages of construction due to paucity of funds.
This was the status until April 2006, when former Governor of Lagos State, Tinubu, during his second term in office, transferred the project to the Lagos Building Investment Company (LBIC) in partnership with the Ministry of Housing through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
After the takeover of the project, the Lagos Building Investment Company (LBIC) constructed Type A & B blocks, however, the project became stalled again.
To increase the chances of completion, the then governor of the State, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) , directed the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to take over the project in the year 2013.
However, in year 2016, the project was returned to the Ministry of Housing by the then Governor,, Akinwunmi Ambode. In order to speed up its completion, the Ministry of Housing divided the project into clusters.
According to Akinderu-Fatai, the first cluster of the scheme is now ready for delivery.
The Egan – Igando Mixed Housing Scheme project, Egan is located in Ikeja Division of the State. It is situated along Agric Road, Egan in Igando – Ikotun Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, on a land area of 17.358 Hectares. This project was conceived to provide decent accommodation for sub-urban dwellers. It was proposed to consists of 101 blocks of 846 home units made up of 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms apartments.
After years of abandonment, the place became hideouts for criminals and source of worry to residents around it.
The consequential insecurity challenge being posed by the structures, however made Governor Fashola to revamp the project in 2016.
The state government removed all the federal government’s maize harvesters and fenced fenced the land. It erected the state’s housing ministry’s sign post and started the foundation for buildings.
However, there was no access road to the place until governor Akinwunmi Ambode came on board to award a road project to the estate. He completed the road project before he left, according to a resident, Kenn Olubor.
He said,“Commendations should also go to Governor Sanwo-Olu who has now completed the first cluster of housing units 23 years after . This Estate has allottees who have been waiting to receive their keys for over 15yrs . We hope LASG will allow these allottees whose funds have been tied down for this long take quick possession.
Another resident, Abdulazeez Babatunde Bello asked, “How can those who are not civil servants benefit and its installment payments allowed? Some of us leak the illegal use of the land to government and we want to benefit from this housing scheme. They should consider us too.”