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Tag: Epe

  • Ambode: we’re upgrading Epe, Badagry for tourism

    Ambode: we’re upgrading Epe, Badagry for tourism

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday  commissioned the Jubilee Chalet in Epe.

    He said the upgrade of the old facility was in line with his plan to reposition the town to take advantage of the economic benefits of the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

    The facility formerly known as Government VIP Chalet, was built by the Alhaji Lateef Jakande administration.

    “As we are changing the face of Epe, we are doing the same thing in Badagry in a twin-prong approach to promote tourism in the state. The Government VIP Chalet in Badagry is currently being rehabilitated and will be commissioned early next year. Work is also going on at the Badagry Marina to prepare it for the investors and tourists the Badagry Deep Sea port will attract,” the governor said.

    Ambode vowed to extirpate the notorious Badoo cult which has been terrorising Ikorodu.

    The gang, he declared, was neither a spirit nor invincible that could appear and disappear at will.

    The government, he said, was doing all it could to get back the abducted Lagos State Model College pupils.

    “I just want to assure Lagosians that we are doing everything possible. We don’t run the government on the pages of the newspapers, and that’s why you see that we do not make comments on the newspapers, but we are trying as much as possible to make sure that we get these children back safely which is more important for us and also make sure that we tighten the security on our waterways and support the security agencies,” he said.

    The governor said it was time the state’s traditional rulers came together to speak with Baales in Ikorodu to stamp out kidnapping.

    According to the governor, intelligence reports indicate that some of these kidnappings were aided by persons within those areas.

    “This is also a good opportunity for me to say this, since the majority of our traditional rulers are here. We just want to pass a message to say that we need to come together and ensure that we speak to all our Baales in the communities that we are having issues and also in Ikorodu to say that we must speak to ourselves.

    “We have intelligence here that some of these things are coming from within and our Kabiyesis and Obas need to do something as quickly as possible to arrest this decadence that we have here,” he said.

    The governor said the fire station was being commissioned to enhance safety of lives and properties in Epe, adding that his administration would deliver more fire stations across the state.

  • Lagos commissions classrooms in Epe

    As part of his campaign promises, Lagos State Governor Akiwunmi Ambode, has inaugurated some rehabilitated blocks of classrooms, toilets, and offices in Epe area of the state.

    The schools are St. Theresa Primary School and Government Demonstration Primary School. The facilities include computer and resource centres.

    Ambode, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Overseas Affairs and Investment, Prof Ademola Abass, said Lagos priortises  education.

    “Wherever a child is in Lagos State, he or she will be exposed to the same quality of education,” Prof Abass said.

    He continued: “The schools are built with tax payers’ money, so let us look after our facilities very well. Maintenance is very important. All we are doing as a government is ensuring taxes paid are judiciously utilised. I’m happy for the Epe people as well as all residents of Lagos. This government will never start a project it won’t finish,” he said.

    “It’s not just schools but all the infrastructures the current administration is trying to put across Lagos State. Therefore, we need to make sure that we amend the way that we approach our infrastructures in terms of maintenance.

    “The message to the people is that these things are being built with your money; whether we are going to rebuild them next year or in 50 years time depends very much on how we use and maintain them. Therefore, make sure you use them well.”

  • Igbonla kidnap: Police arrest three suspects in Edo

    Igbonla kidnap: Police arrest three suspects in Edo

    Three suspected members of the gang that kidnapped six pupils of Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe, have been arrested by operatives of the Inspector General of Police’ (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT), The Nation learnt Wednesday.

    This is just as parents of the kidnapped pupils said they were yet to hear from the kidnappers, adding that the number militants used to contact them was no longer going through.

    Egelu Endurance, 25, alias Jubby, Stanley Yomi Irabomini (Powei) 25, and Bentel Endurance, 24, all from Ovia South LGA, were arrested Tuesday evening in Benin City, Edo State.

    It was gathered that IRT operatives led by Abba Kyari, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) arrested the three suspects who left the creek and went to Edo State to visit a gang member who was injured during gun battle with security forces.

    According to the police, the suspects confessed to have participated in several high profile kidnappings in the southern region.

    It was gathered that they conformed the location of the students to the police.

    A source said: “They confessed to have participated in various kidnappings of prominent personalities in Lagos and Ogun State including the Oniba of Iba, Turkish School, Isheri landlords and Epe School children.

    “The suspects claimed they came to Benin to see their injured colleague and also relax for a while before going back to the creek.”Serious efforts to arrest remaining gang members and rescue the school children in progress.”

     

  • Ambode opens Epe, others for business

    Ambode opens Epe, others for business

    Epe, Abule-Egba and other parts of Lagos State now boast of good road networks and bridges, which will change their fortunes forever, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU

    Epe, an Island town which is home for many prominent Lagosians, was in the woods. The roads leading into it gave the impression that you were entering into one small town. That was then; not anymore.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has changed all that, even though he is only executing the first phase of his plans for the historic town.

    The governor has inaugurated network of roads in the town with a pledge to commence other massive road projects.

    Speaking while inaugurating the Epe roads, Ambode revealed plans by his administration to construct a standard eight-lane road from Ikorodu to Epe via Agbowa, Itoikin and Ijebu-Ode.

    He said the road project would be delivered through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to that effect is about to be signed.

    The governor also revealed that in a bid to scale-up the socio-economic integration of the Southwest, the state government, in partnership with Ogun State, would construct a top-class road from Mojoda to Ijebu-Ode Junction.

    The roads reconstructed and upgraded under the Epe Phase 1 Project include Lagos Road (Oke Osho/T-Junction/Aiyetoro Roundabout), Professor Agbalajobi (Aiyetoro Garage/Ita Marun-Ottin) and Oloja Estate (Bature/Otunba Adeniyi/Omotayo/Uthman Mustapha/Adekunle Rahman) roads.

    While inaugurating the roads, Ambode, said the completion of the project was in line with his promise during election campaigns to address the challenges of gross infrastructural deficit, flooding and erosion that the people of Epe had lived with for decades.

    He said: “It gladdens my heart to see that, two years into the tenure of this administration; the dream of transforming Epe and its environs into a modern city is becoming a reality. The narrow roads are being redefined to give Epe a face lift. The network of roads has been complemented with street lights to provide illumination, improve security and enhance socio-economic activities.

    “This is consistent with our pledge to ensure inclusive growth, where no part of the state will be left behind or neglected. The ongoing infrastructural development in Epe is a foundation for economic progress and development.”

    He added that the plan of his administration was to open Epe town to local and international investors who would be keen to take advantage of the ongoing transformation of Ibeju-Lekki axis which is being turned into an industrial hub.

    Aside the roads, the governor said when the ongoing Epe-Marina project is completed, Epe would be transformed into a world-class destination for tourists and adventure seekers.

    Giving details on other road projects in the axis, the governor said work had already commenced on the Phase II of the project from Oke-Oso-Araga-Poka and Epe-Poka-Mojoda Road, while the proposed Phase III is the Mojoda to Ijebu-Ode Junction Road to be delivered in collaboration with Ogun State.

    Besides, the governor expressed optimism that the Ikorodu-Agbowa-Itoikin-Ijebu-Ode and Itoikin Epe Road projects would provide viable alternative routes to Lekki-Eti-Osa-Epe Expressway which will witness increased vehicular movement resulting from industrial activities at the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

    “We are optimistic that the future prosperity of Lagos State is secured. The development of the East-West wings of the state is our sure bet to prosperity,” he said.

    The Chairman of Epe Community Development Committee (CDC), Chief Yinka Tobun, said the transformation of Epe within a short time was pleasantly surprising to the people.

    He said: “Epe, once sleepy and rusty town is being transformed to a modern one. We are marveled and dazed by the level of development that Governor Ambode has brought to our town within a short time. We are very appreciative of this.”

    May 15 to May 19 was a week the people of Lagos State will never forget in a hurry. It was a week which Ambode delivered some landmark legacy projects to the people, ranging from top class flyovers, roads, pedestrian bridges, lay-bys and segregated bus terminals, among others. It was indeed, as many observers have noted, a week that changed Lagos.

    As part of activities marking the 50 years of Lagos State, Ambode has been inaugurating several projects initiated and completed by his administration, but the inauguration of May 15 to 19 would be symbolic in the history of the state.

    First on Tuesday, May 16, Ambode, to the admiration of the people of Ojodu Berger, inaugurated 98 metres pedestrian bridges (the longest in Nigeria), lay-bys and slip road.

    Speaking on the interventions in Ojodu Berger, Ambode said his administration, at inception, identified the axis as one of the major traffic flashpoints that required urgent attention, adding that the decision to transform the place to a hub was informed by the strategic importance of the axis being a major gateway into the state.

    Ambode said a food court would also be built where people can relax before climbing the pedestrian bridge, as well as an inter-state bus terminal within the Ojodu Berger axis for buses coming from outside Lagos to drop and load passengers, while inter-city transportation system would move commuters within the city.

    Besides, the governor assured that his traffic interventions would not only stop at the Ojodu Berger axis, but would also be an ongoing process to create solutions to traffic congestions in every part of the state.

    The Ojodu Berger project was conceived by the state government as a response to the yearnings of the people of Ojodu Berger Community for an improved, efficient and gridlock-free road network, as well as the need to preserve the sanctity of life of Lagosians who, hitherto, were endangered by the need to cross the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    The scope of the project include 98 metres pedestrian bridges with illumination, 150 metres length lay-bys on both sides of the expressway, 500 metres length of retaining wall with varying height from 3.5 metres to seven metres and two multi-by bus park/bus lay-bys on Ogunnusi Road with public convenience.

    Other scope of the project include 650 metres slip road connecting traffic outward the expressway to Omole/Olowora Junction, 700 metres Ogunnusi/Wakatiadura dual carriage road from Kosoko Road Junction to the expressway, 250 metres PWC Road to the expressway, street lighting on all the roads and multi-bay bus parks, signalisation of all junctions, pedestrian walkway and drainage infrastructure, among others.

    After inaugurating the Ojodu Berger project, Ambode, on Wednesday, May 17, moved to Abule Egba and Ajah where he inaugurated flyovers and major link roads as part of the creative solutions to address the perennial traffic associated with the areas, as well as boost economic activities in both axes.

    Residents of Abule-Egba, a Lagos suburb, can also testify to the Ambode magic. The Ajah flyover was completed within a record time of 10 months, while that of Abule Egba was completed within 13 months.

    The Ajah Bridge is a 160 metres long dual carriage way with total length of 620 metres, while the Abule Egba Bridge is 1.3km with a water fountain. Both bridges were designed with traffic signalisation, street lighting, walkways, service ducts and drainage infrastructure, among others.

    The governor, who spoke at separate events in Ajah and Abule Egba to officially open the Bridges, christened as ‘Jubilee Bridges’ for public use, said while the motive behind Ajah Bridge was to improve connectivity in the axis and facilitate economic growth, the Abule-Egba Bridge was about opening up other areas of the state and improving the lives of residents in the area.

    Ambode recalled that Ajah was troubled with terrible traffic gridlock daily, which, according to him, was crippling business activities, causing loss of valuable man hours and revenues.

    He said the bridge would eliminate the traffic jam usually experienced on the road while the 2.7km Freedom Road and 2.2km Admiralty Way, which he also inaugurated, would provide an alternative route to the Lekki/Ikoyi Bridge, thereby, easing traffic at Lekki Phase 1.

    “We had to give this project priority because of its strategic importance to the economic growth of the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the Ibeju-Lekki-Epe axis. This axis will play key role in the future prosperity of Lagos State as the home to many multi-billion Naira private investments in the Lekki Free Trade Zone as well as the upcoming seaport and airport.

    Ambode said beyond the bridge, his administration was already looking forward to activating the Badore Jetty in line with efforts to commence reforms in the state’s water transportation initiative.

    He said the intervention would see the creation of a bus route from Badore to Langbasa and Ajah axis, rehabilitation of the Badore Road and create alternative routes through Oke-Ira to the Epe Expressway, while the alternative slip road which motorists used while the construction of the Bridge lasted would be closed to accommodate a new bus terminal.

    At the inauguration of Freedom Road and Admiralty Way in Lekki few minutes after,  Ambode said: “In continuation of efforts to open the axis for economic activities, the state government, in partnership with the private sector, would commence construction of 8km Regional Road to serve as alternative route to connect Victoria Garden City (VGC) to Freedom Road.”

    When the governor’s train moved to Abule Egba, where thousands of residents waited in the sun for hours, to inaugurate the flyover, he said the area was a strategic route for commercial and social activities which was riddled by heavy traffic gridlock, hence his administration’s decision to redesign the traffic flow chart of the axis to ensure better connectivity between Lagos and Ogun states.

    “Lagos means business and today, Abule-Egba is open for business. This bridge signposts the beginning of a new era of development that would enhance the standard of living of the people in this axis with the provision of this infrastructure,” Governor Ambode said.

    Ambode said the construction of the bridge was the beginning of a process to transform the axis to the new economic hub of the state, assuring that the ongoing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane from Oshodi to Abule-Egba would be followed by another BRT lane from Abule-Egba to Ogun State border.

    Ambode said all the adjoining roads disrupted in the course of the construction of the bridge have been awarded for rehabilitation, while a shopping mall would also be constructed opposite the Oke-Odo Market to further boost economic activities in the axis.

    At Kosofe Local Government Area where he equally inaugurated eight newly upgraded roads in Omotayo Banwo, Kola Iyaomolere, Omotayo Close, Adetunji Adegbite Street, Ogun Street, Goodluck Street and Prince Oyewunmi Streets, the Governor said the rehabilitation of the roads was part of the efforts to further improve road connectivity and reduce travel time in the axis.

    Lagos State Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Tajudeen Agbede praised Ambode for the timely completion of Abule-Egba Bridge, saying that the bridge would eliminate loss of man-hour usually experienced due to traffic congestion in the axis.

    He said: “For us as transporters, the bridge will help to boost our business as we will make more money due to free flow of traffic. It will also greatly reduce the amount of money we spend on maintenance of our buses.”

    Chairman of Community Development Committee (CDC) in Ogudu, Comrade Adebayo Maradesa thanked the Governor for the multi-faceted projects implemented at Ojodu Berger, saying that apart from saving lives and ensuring free flow of traffic, the aesthetics of the area had been greatly improved upon.

    Also speaking on the Ojodu Berger project, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Cardinal James Odumbakun, said in his over 50 years’ experience of living in Ojodu Berger, the area had never had it so good.

    “Before now, if you want to buy the best bread, just go to Berger over the bridge, you will see all that with attendant risk involved. But today, the entire area has been transformed for good. With the kind permission of the people, since we don’t know Berger that this place was named after, I like to rename it Ojodu Ambode for the transformation. It is God that has chosen Governor Ambode for us and his second term is assured already,” Odumbaku said.

  • Ambode and the new face of Epe

    SIR: Epe, one of the divisions in Lagos State which had for a long time been on the wrong side of development index in the state is gradually wearing a new look and a new face lift. In the last few years, the city had languished under the heavy yoke of bad roads and the twin problem of flooding and erosion. All past efforts at addressing this sore had ended in a fiasco, as most of the works were badly done by local contractors.

    The story of the ancient town is changing. In the past 15 months now, Epe residents have witnessed the noticeable impacts of governmental presence. The loudest indication of Ambode’s determination to fulfill his promise to make Epe town a modern metropolis in the new face of the city centre popularly referred to as Lagos Road/Aiyetoro/Ita-Opo Road and other major roads in Epe Local Government Area of the state.

    The Lagos Road/Aiyetoro/Ita-Opo, which was the busy, rough and crowded areas of the town usually avoided by motorists, has been cleared of illegal structures, motor parks and shanty stalls of traders and others to create the present environment that battles even the worst skeptics of government professed intentions. A new face of road of six lanes has returned to the area. For the first time in the history of the State, the usually narrow roads of the town have been stripped of the contending structures, which had made their desired expansion a tall dream with believe of building overhead bridge and also pedestrian bridge at Aiyetoro Market and Ita-Opo for the people to avoid being knocked down while crossing the roads by motorists.

    The seriousness of the exercise is underscored by the fact that the government has demolished structures that were erstwhile referred to as “untouchable”.” The determination of the administration to enforce total compliance with the government’s right of way and expansion of major roads to give town a new face lift considered sacrosanct is clearly indicated by the successful demolition of banks structures at Aiyetoro, a side view of one of the eatery in the town, Royal Treat partially affected in Ita-Opo; even Epe town hall was also affected.

    For the first time in Epe, several people who had exploited the weakness of previous administrations to encroach on the right of way including the commercial bank in the city, got the message and decided to embark on the expected corrective step of vacating the area and relocated.

     

    • Ademola Orunbon,

    Epe, Lagos State.

  • ‘Benefits of investments in Badagry, Epe’

    For two days, stakeholders in the tourism, maritime, oil and gas sectors converged on Badagry in Lagos State to explore the investment potential in the area.
    The event was held under the auspices of Badagry Economic Summit.
    It was the first effort by the private sector and the local governments to unveil the potential of Badagry and Epe since the state’s creation 50 years ago.
    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who declared the event open, urged government officials to liaise with monarchs on the use of land and sea to avoid restiveness.
    He added that freight forwarding and maritime thrive more on the West Coast cities of the neighbouring countries, adding that federal and state governments should create policies to implement the Badagry Sea Port blueprint to redirect traffic to Badagry Port.
    Ambode was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Development and Communication, Hon. Kehinde Bamigbetan.
    The summit, which has as theme Unleashing investment potential around the coastal zone of Epe and Badagry, resolved to prepare Badagry people to invest in tourism, oil and gas and maritime.
    According to a communiqué, the summit identified Badagry and Epe as viable hubs for promoting and developing tourism, oil and gas and maritime. It called on the government and stakeholders to establish vocational and skills schools to train youths of the area to make them competitive in the labour market. Other highlights were:
    •That the problem of tourism is caused by the absence of poor power supply. It urged the government to address the matter, particularly by using abundant water bodies, as well as gas.
    •That government should invest in marketing and promotion of tourism in Badagry and Epe to attract tourists and investors alike,
    •That since water transportation is part of the intermodal transport system in Lagos, the government should build modern jetties and encourage public sector initiatives in boat building and construction to create jobs and drive water based tourism,
    •That the Ministry of Science and Technology should partner organisations to impact on the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in tourism, oil and gas, among the youth in the area,
    •The summit advocates a sustainable growth of tourism, maritime, oil and gas. It said there is need for the government to develop a 10-year business development masterplan for the two divisions.
    •That for a safe and peaceful communal integration of Badagry and Epe, there is need for the government to increase the number of security personnel in the coastal zones to avoid restiveness.
    At the events also were monarchs, senior officials of Nigeria Custom Service (NCS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Navy, Airforce, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

  • Epe youths hail lawmaker

    A coalition of youth bodies in Epe Local Government  of Lagos State, under the aegis of Epe Youth for Progressive Governance ( EYPG), has hailed  the lawmaker representing Epe Federal Constituency,  Wale Raji, for his quality representation.

    Raji, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), once served as the permanent secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperative and Commerce.

    In a joint statement by the Convener, Bamidele Ahmed and Secretary, Folorunsho Oluwakemi, the group praised the legislator for fulfilling his promises.

    It described Raji as a ‘trailblazer’, whose achievements in his first 20 months were commendable.

    “Governance is all about catering for the people. While politicians are fond of making promises during campaigns and not fulfilling them, the indefatigable lawmaker has shown that the path of honour is possible to follow by matching  promises with fulfilment.

    “His empowerment scheme within this short period has achieved a lot that will remain  indelible in the minds of people.”

  • No cause for fear in Epe, says govt

    FOR the second time in one week, farmers, especially in Epe, a riverine community in Lagos, yesterday got an assurance on their safety from the government.
    The government “adequate measures” were being taken to protect them from kidnappers, who have been unleashing terror on Epe
    Rising from the monthly Security Council Meeting chaired by the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the government assured residents and investors of its commitment to their security and well-being.
    Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni, who briefed reporters after the meeting, said the council reviewed the security situation in the state in the last one month and resolved to redouble efforts at maintaining law and order.
    Owoseni said: “I can tell you that so many commitments have been made. The governor about two weeks ago led security council members to Epe where so many commitments were made and some of the measures and strategies are being put in place to check this menace.
    “I want to assure the people within that axis that the commitment of the government to their security is unwavering and we can assure them that they will be able to do what they are doing to earn their livelihood without fear of molestation or threat of being attacked.
    “We have so many plans and I think that we are not supposed to reveal much about our strategies for now because it is a cat and mouse thing but most importantly is the commitment of everyone to the fight against crime. On the part of the State Government, I can assure the people that the commitment is unwavering.”

  • Kidnapping: Lagos beefs up security in Epe, assures farmers of safety

    Kidnapping: Lagos beefs up security in Epe, assures farmers of safety

    …Vows to sustain enforcement of Okada ban

     

    The Lagos State Government on Tuesday assured farmers in the State especially in Epe axis of adequate measures to protect them against incessant kidnappings, just as it vowed to pursue vigorously and sustain the renewed enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcycles popularly called Okada plying restricted routes.

    Rising from the monthly Security Council Meeting chaired by the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the State Government assured residents and investors of commitment to their security and well-being, adding that no stone would be left unturned towards protecting the people.

    The State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni who briefed journalists after the meeting, said the Council reviewed the security situation in the State in the last one month and resolved to redouble efforts where necessary.

    The CP said: “The Council has looked at the security situation in the State in the last one month and the conclusion we reached is that it has been relatively calm here and where we need to do more of interventions with the view to doubling our efforts, we have identified those areas and the commitment from the Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode remain unwavering and that every efforts that would secure Lagos and make business and commercial activities to be carried out without let or hindrance will be done.

    “The Council also reviewed the operation on the total enforcement of Okada ban and it was agreed that the renewed efforts toward enforcing the law with regards to the operation of commercial motorcycles and tricycles in the State will be sustained in view of the threat to security that we have witnessed in the past. There is a renewed commitment, we will sustain it and ensure that the State Traffic Law is effectively enforced,” Owoseni said.

    On kidnapping of farmers in Epe axis, the police boss said though it was impossible to completely eradicate crime, the State Government was working round the clock to ensure the safety of the farmers.

    He revealed that the Governor recently led top security operatives and government officials to the axis to ascertain the state of affairs and personally assured the farmers of the commitment of the State Government to ensure they carry out their farming activities without let or hindrance.

    “Yes, I can tell you that so many commitments have been made. His Excellency the Governor about two weeks ago led Security Council members to Epe where so many commitments were made and some of the measures and strategies being put in place to check this menace.

    “I want to assure the people within that axis that the commitment of the State Government to their security is unwavering and we can assure them that they will be able to do what they are doing to earn their livelihood without fears of molestation or threat of being attacked.

    “We have so many plans and I think that we are not supposed to reveal much about our strategies for now because it is a cat and mouse thing but most importantly is the commitment of everyone to the fight against crime. On the part of the State Government, I can assure the people that the commitment is unwavering,” Owoseni said.

    The CP, who addressed the briefing alongside heads of security formations in the State, however urged the people to continue to support and partner with security agencies.

  • Ambode urges residents to become house owners through new policy

    Ambode urges residents to become house owners through new policy

    Lagos residents have been urged to take advantage of the state’s Rent-To-Own and Rental Housing policy in becoming house owners and addressing housing problems in the state.

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, represented by his Deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, made the call at the flag-off of the Rent-To-Own and Rental Housing policy in Sir Michael Otedola Estate, Odoragunshin, Epe area of Lagos.

    He said that the policy was part of his administration’s strategies to deliver decent and affordable housing to citizens.

    ”The Rent-To-Own and Rental Housing policy which is being launched today is a milestone in public housing delivery in the state to make life more comfortable and easier for our people.

    ”I urge Lagosians to take part in the process and I assure you that the selection process will be credible, fair and transparent, ” he said.

    Also speaking, Mr Gbolahan Lawal, Commissioner for Housing said that the current administration came up with the housing policy to increase the number of residents on home ownership ladder.

    He said 12 housing estates spread across the three senatorial districts had been dedicated to the implementation of the policy.

    ”The Rent-To-Own policy targets the low and medium income earners in both the formal and informal sectors where individuals are required to pay five per cent of the value of the housing unit as commitment fee and the balance is spread over 10 years.

    ”This programme allows the tenant to live on the property while paying towards ownership at a fixed rent within the period of 10years.

    ”On the Rental Housing policy, which is to further ensure housing accessibility and affordability in Lagos State, the tenants are however required to pay one month deposit, ” he said.

    In his remarks, Mr Dehinde Tuwase, General Manager, Lagos Mortgage Board said that interested individuals must be registered residents, tax payers and must have regular source of income