PPP initiative in Oyo promises 1,004 housing units for delivery in 12 months
A public private partnership initiative involving Oyo State government and HCP Architecture and Engineering Nigeria Limited is has commenced the construction of two housing estates that promises to deliver 1,004 housing units in the next 12 months.
Expectation and hope here is that in the next 12 months, 1,004 families would be taken off the crowded property market and if, hypothetically each of the families have four members, it means accommodation will have been provided for over four thousand persons in Oyo in just one year.
The two estates sitting on a combined land area measuring 20 hectares located at Idi-Ishin and Elenusonso will, on completion, deliver 754 units and 250 units of detached and semi-detached houses respectively with all the necessary facilities and services.
Speaking at the ground breaking for the two housing estates, Governor Abiola Ajimobi said that the projects known as Lakeside Residential Estates, were another milestone in the life of his administration.
He disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed by government with the developer, adding that a Certificate of Statutory Right of Occupancy had also been given to the developer.
“We had earlier commenced a similar project on a PPP basis with UPDC, the property developing arm of UAC Nigeria. I am glad to inform you that work has reached a commendable level on the construction of those housing units which will bring smiles on the faces of our people,” he said.
According to him, the conception of the projects is in line with the mission and vision of his administration which is to restore, transform and reposition the landscape that it met about three years ago.
“This attempt to provide affordable housing units for the citizens of Oyo State, both at home and in Diaspora, is in conformity with the agenda of responsible governments all over the world to do good to the greatest number of their people.
“It is indeed a fulfillment of one of our government’s electoral promises, as encapsulated in my electioneering campaign and this administration’s avowed commitment to provide housing to the people of the state. It is also in realization of the fact that after food and clothing, shelter is ranked next in the hierarchy of human needs”, the governor said.
He assured that his administration would not rest on its oars in providing good governance to the people of the state, stressing, “we will continue to make available tangible and intangible dividends of good governance to our people”.
Ajiboye Omodewu, the state Commissioner for Lands and Housing, explained that the move by the state government was to ensure that the citizens had access to decent, safe, healthy, qualitative and functional housing accommodation at affordable and reasonable cost.
Joseph Olawale Demola, the Managing Director of HCP Architecture and Engineering, hinted that the projects would be financed from bank loans and funds from sales, adding that his organization would introduce flexible and friendly payment system.
Remi Feyisipo