LASG Solicits World Bank Support For Mass Housing  

The Lagos state government has appealed for the World Bank support for the construction of a mass housing projects in the state.

The Governor Babajide-Sanwo-Olu administration said the support is necessary in other for the state to access cheap funds, technology to achieve its goal of mass housing for all.

The appeal, the state government said, has become necessary because of the influx of people from across the country and other neighbouring countries into the state.

Maruf Akinderu-Fatai, the state commissioner for Housing, made this appeal during a working visit by a World Bank team to the ministry. The team was led by Dr. Fuad Malkawi, Senior Urban Development Specialist and the Spatial Planning Community of Practice Leader at the bank.

The commissioner said the state urgently needs a technology that will help the state to deliver quantity and qualitative housing projects for the residents of the state.  its housing for all policy.

Speaking Akinderu-Fatai said, “Uninhibited migration to Lagos from other States of the Federation and some countries in the West Africa region has made the challenge of housing very critical. Given the littoral nature of the State, enormous support is required in the area of housing development.’’

“The required intervention in housing development now is a new technology that can make for a speedy delivery without any compromise on quality and safety.’’

The commissioner pointed out that the limited land in the State can be maximized, while the problem of climate change could be tackled by working in collaboration with the bank.

Akinderu-Fatai appealed to the bank to support its efforts at making available cheap mortgages and loans for low-income earners in the state.

Responding, Dr. Fuad Malkawi, said the bank is ready to work with the state government to achieve its housing for all strategy.

During the commissioning of a housing scheme built by his administration in Victoria Island in August this year, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the state needed private sector support to achieve one of the core objectives of its THEME policy of providing cheap and affordable homes for Lagosians.

The governor said: “I congratulate LSDPC and Asset Brooks and Resources Limited on the successful completion of this edifice. Progress is, indeed, achievable when public and private sector enterprises come together, bringing their core strengths to the table, for the good of the entire society.

“This positive outcome is yet another testimony to the effective collaboration between Government and the private sector in the implementation of our agenda to provide affordable and decent housing for our people.