The Federal Government unveiled a bold initiative on Wednesday, launching the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates project in Lagos State, marking the commencement of the construction of 20,000 affordable mass housing units. This initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s ambitious plan to provide 100,000 such housing units across Nigeria.
Dr. Markus Ogunbiyi, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, announced the launch during an inspection of ongoing housing projects and potential construction sites under the scheme. Accompanied by top officials including Mrs. Margaret Adejobi, the Federal Controller of Housing for Lagos State, Ogunbiyi surveyed various parcels of land earmarked for development.
The inspection tour commenced at Census Close in Surulere, followed by an examination of an ongoing project featuring 60 flats of two and three-bedroom units in Eric Moore. Additionally, the team explored land within Games Village and the Iponri area, evaluating their suitability for housing development.
According to Ogunbiyi, President Tinubu inaugurated the pilot scheme of Renewed Hope Cities and Estates in Abuja, laying the foundation for a 3,112-unit housing project. The visit to Lagos signifies the expansion of this initiative, with the aim of providing over 20,000 housing units in the state alone.
Given the challenge of land scarcity in Lagos, Ogunbiyi emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to leveraging all available land resources for housing construction. While negotiations with the Lagos State Government for additional land are ongoing, the Ministry is fully utilizing its existing land assets.
Ogunbiyi expressed optimism about the private sector’s readiness to participate in the initiative, citing recent groundbreaking ceremonies and ongoing partnerships. He assured that the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates project in Lagos was already underway, with plans to initiate additional projects within the month.
During the inspection, discussions also touched on environmental considerations and strategies to address land encroachment issues. Adejobi outlined measures to reclaim land occupied by squatters, highlighting collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Justice to enforce property rights.
Collins Alabi, Director of Lands in Abuja, underscored the significance of recent legal rulings empowering the Ministry to tackle land encroachment nationwide, reflecting President Tinubu’s commitment to addressing such challenges.