The Lagos State Government would not renege in its drive to provide affordable housing for its teeming citizens in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo – Olu.

Mr Gbenga Omotosho, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy gave this renewed assurance even as he solicited more private sector partnership with the state government toward ensuring the provision of more qualitative housing for residents.

Omotosho made the call at the opening ceremony of the Radio Lagos/Eko FM Building Expo 2021 at Agidingbi, Ikeja.

The commissioner, represented by Mr Olusina Thorpe, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said such effort would help to complement the state government’s efforts in providing low-cost housing for its citizens.

“The Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led government is keen in ensuring that Lagosians have access to affordable and qualitative housing in the state.

“But, the government alone cannot provide houses for all Lagosians, and that is why the private sector should join hand with the government in ensuring that we have more housing for our people.

“This can be done in various ways through mortgages and partnership because most young families can’t afford the huge capital involve to build their own house.

“We must explore financing that will be very friendly to the citizens and that is why I am imploring the private sector to look into mortgaging so that many people can be captured under the housing project,” Omotosho said.

He also noted that Gov. Sanwo-Olu only recently commissioned a housing project in the Igbogbo area of Ikorodu, the fifth of such commissioning since he assumed office

He assured that more housing projects are still in the pipeline which is targeted in fulfilment of the government to provide housing for all.

On his part, Dr Akintoye Oyelade, a Civil and Environment Engineer who delivered a lecture titled “Building Materials in Lagos State: Access and Assessment.” said that a holistic approach must be adopted to resolve challenges hindering the sector.

Oyelade of the Department of Civil and Environment Engineering, University of Lagos (UNILAG) said there was a need to tap into the available resources to address the housing deficit in the country.

“Shelter is one of the basic needs of human, hence the need to find a resolute solution to the issue of housing deficit in Nigeria.

“According to the United Nation, Nigeria needs 85,000 housing units annually to meet its housing deficit.

“This deficit calls for a holistic approach from major players in the sector to tap into available resources for building to reduce the housing deficit in the country,” he said

In her own remarks, the General manager of Radio Lagos/EKO FM, Mrs Ayo Shotonwa said he is proud the foremost twin radio stations are contributing their quota toward the advancement of the Building Sector.

According to her, Radio Lagos/EKO FM are holding this particular exhibition solely for arbiter and key players in the building industry.

“The theme for this exhibition is “Sustaining the Lagos State THEMES agenda on Housing” with the core mandate to provide “Affordable Housing For All”, and we’re hoping this fair will create a level playing ground for Lagosians to have access to quality and affordable choices, from the choice of land, to structure, quality materials and even delightful interior and finishings

“Arguably, quality building materials and due diligence will also help forestall building mishaps that intermittently plague pages of newspaper headlines and bulletins,” Mrs. Shotonwa said.