The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, Mr. Wasiu Akewusola has confirmed that the State Government is set to embark on a global assessment of old government estate’s to determine the level of degradation.
He said this is the new line of thinking of the current administration in their quest for urban renewal of some estates built over 25 years ago. He said Alaka estate and others fall into that category with a certain degree of disrepair and dereliction.
Collaborating the above, Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai at a meeting with the Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Housing, Bisi Yussuf and other members of the Committee said there is a ray of hope for residents of old state-owned estates that are rundown and in dilapidated condition especially Alaka estate.
He said: “The State government is committed to its pledge of provision of decent Housing for the people and is constantly evolving strategies both to build new homes and to renew the old estates like the Alaka Estate. We will do our best to protect the affected residents from the inconveniences that would come up as a result of their temporary evacuation from the homes in order to make way for the redevelopment of the distressed structures.”
The meeting was called by the House Committee on Housing to deliberate on matters relating to the rehabilitation of two distressed blocks of flats in Alaka Estate in Surulere area of Lagos State as well as the welfare of the residents who would be temporarily displaced as a result of the exercise.
Speaking at the meeting, Yussuf pointed out that the Lagos State House of Assembly as the legislative arm of Government is deeply concerned about the danger posed to individuals residing in old and dilapidated estates. “It is disturbing that some residents live in old structures that may collapse at anytime. We have to take urgent action to prevent wastage of lives and property that could result from imminent collapse of such distressed structures,” he said.
The Special Adviser to the Governor, Hon. Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka also assured the affected residents of Alaka Estate whose representatives were also present at the meeting that all genuine home owners will be relocated to their new homes after the reconstruction of the affected blocks. While allaying the fears of the affected residents that the proposed homes may not be re allocated to the original owners. She said: “a stakeholder engagement with all concerned will not only help to ensure that all parties are carried along but will also reduce the incidence of lawsuits from parties who may feel marginalized”.
The representatives of the affected residents led by Mrs. Bisi Bello were delighted with the outcome of the meeting and pledged to support the State Government’s efforts aimed at the re-development of the rundown blocks in the Alaka estate.
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