AT last, the Lagos State government and Omole Phase II Residents Association and Community Development Association have agreed to an out-of-court settlement.
Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai at a meeting with the executives of the association, said the parley was a follow up to an earlier agreement.
He recalled that the LagosHOMs scheme at Omole comprising five blocks of 60 units of homes of one- bedroom, two-bedroom and three- bedroom flats was sited on some vacant land in the estate.
He regretted that the vertical construction was disputed by the residents who went to court.
He observed that later over both parties resolved on an out-of-court settlement with an agreement that the government should provide more infrastructural facilities for the estate to take care of the requirements of the prospective residents.
He said: “The government is ready to fulfill its own part of the agreement with the community.
‘’Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved more infrastructural facilities for the Omole Estate (Phase II) and work on the projects will commence with immediate effect.
‘’As a responsive government, we have made all necessary arrangements to meet up with our own part of the agreement in the interest of all the parties concerned.”
‘’We promise to provide more homes for Lagosians and we will do all we can to fulfill that mandate irrespective of the obstacles.’’
Akinderu-Fatai said the infrastructural package approved for the estate include the dualisation of Admiral Oduwaye Road, rehabilitation of Lekan Asoni, Oyebode streets and Durosimi Abogunwa Road, as well as provision of street lights and drainages.
The facilities, according to the Commissioner, would enhance the status of the estate as well as improve the quality of the environment home owners in the estate.
He commended the estate executives for their efforts in maintaining the estate. He said: “The contribution of the association to the development of the estate with their personal resources is highly commendable; I salute this spirit of self help and enjoin other communities to emulate them.”
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Mr. Wasiu Akewusola, appealed to residents to allow the new allotees to take possession of their housing units and also called on the executive members to support the administration by monitoring and protecting government’s projects in the area.
“Housing projects embarked upon by state government belong to all Lagosians since they are completely funded by tax payers. We should, therefore, go the extra mile in ensuring that they are not vandalised by miscreants.” he said.
Chairman, Omole Estate (Phase II) Residents Association, Mr. Bamidele Lamisa, thanked the government for resolving the dispute.
He however, appealed that efforts should be made to hasten the implementation of the projects, imploring the government to continue to do more for the estate.
Source: thenationonlineng