…‘Lagos councils have justified their autonomy’ — Governor
Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State came alive on Friday, as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu inaugurated a twin housing project in the council.
The Governor formally commissioned 170-unit Raymond Estate and Sterling Heights delivered by the council chairman, Hon. Dele Oshinowo, to regenerate and urbanise Ajelogo — a notorious slum situated in the heart of the council known for its high crime rate.
The schemes, achieved through a Joint Venture Partnership with a private developer, has further bridged the housing deficit, as 170 families living in the LCDA would have opportunities to benefit and live in decent accommodation.
Raymond Estate comprises 32 units of three-bedroom apartment, 16 units of four-bedroom apartment and 16 units of two-bedroom apartment.
Sterling Heights, on the other hand, has eight blocks by 8 blocks of 64 flats, 32 terraces, and 10 semi-detached apartments.
Sanwo-Olu, while unveiling the projects, described the schemes as “an affirmation” of the autonomy enjoyed by Local Government Areas in Lagos, stressing that Agboyi-Ketu council chairman had shown accountability in driving governance and development at the grassroots level.
The Governor said: “This is another visible evidence that Local Government Areas and their LCDA appendages are working effectively well in Lagos. Today, we are handing over brand new housing projects to our citizens, which are two estates in one premises. The chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA has successfully regenerated what used to be an ungoverned space and a den of criminals.
“The council has set a new trajectory and has reversed what we saw as a liability to an asset. I commend the Hon. Dele Oshinowo for showing public accountability. Before Local Government autonomy came back on the front burner, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was our Governor, had set the foundation to ensure successive Local Government administrations in Lagos are transparently run autonomously.
“Resources available to our Local Government Areas are now being utilised properly to deliver quality dividends of democracy to the populace. There is no better job for me than to continue to encourage and support my council chairmen for more good jobs. Our councils have become shining examples for others in the country. We will continue to provide an enabling environment for governments at the grassroots to thrive.”
Sanwo-Olu reiterated that the goal of his Government was to ensure Lagos witnessed an irreversible trajectory of development in housing, healthcare, education, tourism, public transportation and infrastructure.
The Governor said his administration would continue to support skill development programmes targeted at the youth, applauding council leaders in Lagos for keying into the youth development agenda of the State Government.
“What we are seeing is continuous progress in all nooks and crannies of the State. The benefits of projects like this are enormous and transformative, because they bring about quality of life and make citizens feel the impacts of our Government. These schemes will boost the local economy and will contribute significantly to the socio-economic growth of the State,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Oshinowo said the housing initiative of his administration was being facilitated by the council-owned Property and Investment Board (PIB), noting that the objective aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to provide affordable, accessible and quality housing.
The council boss announced a digital property registry that showed a comprehensive documentation of the LCDA’s real estate assets, while also providing records of allottees, subscribers and the general information about the housing projects.
He said: “I must emphasise that our administration has initiated the second phase of the Greenwich Gardens project and has also concluded the Technical Review Phase for Lagos Homes in Ajelogo Area.
“Our infrastructure development drives to enhance human capital and stimulate economic growth. These housing projects have generated direct and indirect employment opportunities, particularly benefiting the youth and artisans in our council.”
Senator representing Lagos East in the National Assembly, Sen. Tokunbo Abiru, described the projects as “the outcome of creativity and commitment” to governance at the grassroots level.