The Lagos State government has voiced concerns regarding sustainability breaches observed within its housing estates.
This prompted a stern warning to residents of these communities regarding their responsibility to secure and maintain the infrastructure within.
This apprehension and caution were prompted by recent incidents of vandalism reported at the Abiodun Ogunleye Housing Estate in Igbogbo. These incidents involved the destruction of critical facilities such as cables, generators, and electrical panels by vandals and robbers.
Due to these recurring incidents, the Lagos State Government has issued a firm stance, asserting its readiness to implement sanctions against residents who fail to adhere to established rules and regulations governing the sustainability of housing estates within the state’s various housing schemes.
This stern warning underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining order and compliance for the overall well-being and longevity of these residential communities.
Speaking on behalf of the Lagos state government, The Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu–Fatai, conveyed this message during a visit to assess the damage inflicted by vandals and robbers on critical infrastructure such as cables, generators, and electrical panels at the Abiodun Ogunleye Housing Estate in Igbogbo, situated in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.
Emphasizing the significance of this measure, Akinderu–Fatai highlighted its dual purpose: to safeguard the well-being of residents and to ensure the preservation of infrastructure within housing estates owned by the State Government. This underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining the quality and functionality of residential communities under its purview.
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The commissioner who was utterly disappointed expressed his dismay at the extensive destruction witnessed, denouncing the criminal acts committed by the vandals as not only a significant setback but also a major distraction to the state government’s ongoing efforts in housing provision across the state.
Akinderu-Fatai lamented the apparent lack of reciprocity from residents towards the state government’s benevolent gesture of offering subsidized homes to low-income earners. This sentiment underscores the importance of community cooperation and responsible citizenship in fostering sustainable development initiatives within the state.
He stated that,
“This occurrence at a time like this shows that some citizens do not have a clear understanding of the state’s passion for the provision of decent housing for the people.
The funds that will be used to replace these items will definitely reduce the number of homes to be provided for others. ”
Reports indicated that a considerable number of residents have chosen not to fulfil their obligation of paying the monthly facilities management fees at the visit of the Commission.
This further exacerbates the situation by condoning tenants who pose security threats to the estate.
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In response to these challenges, the commissioner issued a stern warning to residents regarding the critical importance of honouring their financial responsibilities.
Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, the commissioner stated,
“Henceforth, anyone that refuses to pay facility maintenance fees or leases their allocation to miscreants will face ejection.”
This underscores the government’s commitment to instilling accountability and maintaining a secure and well-managed living environment within its housing estates.
The commissioner emphatically asserted,
“The state government will not hesitate to take back the allocation of allotees who insist on not paying maintenance fees in contravention of Article 6 of the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the state government.
“Refusal to pay facility maintenance fee means you are willing to forfeit the right of ownership.”
Akinderu-Fatai expressed disapproval towards residents who engage in renting out their apartments, stressing, that the Lagos State Government intends to provide homes for those in need of accommodation and not property speculators.
In a stern warning, he cautioned that those found leasing their homes to individuals with dubious backgrounds, such as internet fraudsters, cultists, or individuals of questionable character, risk losing their allocations if the allegations are substantiated.
Additionally, Engr. Abdulhafis Toriola, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, emphasized that the facility management fee is obligatory for all residents. This fee is vital for maintaining essential services such as security personnel, refuse disposal, streetlight illumination, and the upkeep of communal facilities.
In his words,
“Hence, the state government will not compromise the sustainability of its estate by not sanctioning defaulters.”
