Lagos govt pledges to partner REDAN on housing

The Lagos State Government has expressed her readiness to collaborate with Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, (REDAN) on housing, being a critical stakeholder in the development of the state.

A statement issued by REDAN, disclosed that the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, gave the hint at the 2020 Maiden Edition of REDAN Awards in Lagos adding that he commended the association for their contribution to housing construction and all efforts put in making Lagos a 21st-century economy that is open to investment.

Salako stated that the state will continue to identify with the body because government knows that they are a very critical stakeholder in the development of Lagos State.

The commissioner charged the developers to always do things the right way by voluntarily complying with the housing plans of the state as this would make the work of the developers easier.

The Commissioner for Housing, Lagos State, Moruf Fatai, stated that the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration was committed to doing business with the private sector.

“So, we are open to business; you can approach us with your ideas and whatever area you think will progress your business and Lagos State, bring it forward,” Fatai said.

The Lagos Chairman of REDAN, Bamidele Onalaja in his opening address, applauded the governor for the support in the battle to reduce the housing deficit in the state and Nigeria.

Onalaja pledged that the association was committed to sanitising the real estate sector, to champion quality, and to prevent Nigerians from falling victim to fraudsters.

He called on the awardees to do more in delivering good and habitable homes, adding that “Together we shall continue to strive, work harder, and working closely with the government, we shall drastically reduce the housing deficit”.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, a former real estate player, lauded the collaboration between the government and the private sector, adding that such cordial relationship could only lead to progress for the people.

The monarch described real estate as the ‘oil and gas in Lagos’ and praised Governor Sanwo-Olu’s passion for development in the state.

The Ooni of Ife challenged real estate developers to improve the infrastructure in Lagos, particularly the number of connecting bridges between the mainland and island parts of the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Bode Agoro, also pledged that the bureau wished to work with the developers as it planned to change its system of operations by going electronic.

High point of the event was the presentation of awards of excellence to Sanwo-Olu and over 33 housing experts who had contributed to the growth and development of housing and real estate in the state.