By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Estates built across Lagos State by the former Governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, for the masses, are soon to be demolished.
Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Dele Onabokun, disclosed in Lagos at a news conference yesterday that the popular Jakande Estates would be demolished and redeveloped.
Onabokun stated that the Jakande housing model was introduced in the 80s to solve the problem of acute shortage of housing in the state, adding that the houses were built to last for about 20 years.
“We have now discovered that these houses have limitations. In fact, some of those buildings have collapsed and some cannot last for more than 25 years.
“In fact, we visited one of the estates at Iliasan and they are in deplorable condition. We are planning to redeveloped the whole of that place.
“Some of these houses will be demolished and redeveloped. The life-span of an average building is about 50 years. We want to lay emphasis on building structures that will last a life time or a minimum of 50 years,” he stated.
On the fate of the occupants who bought the flats, he said they would be relocated.
Onabokun said the plan of the ministry was to continue to partner with the private sector towards the provision of affordable housing for citizens of the state.
“To this end, applications are still being considered from 27 developers who intend to construct over 20,000 housing units in about 10 locations across Lagos State.
“Some of these proposals have been appraised by the inter-ministerial committee set up by the governor. To date, approvals for the commencement of eight of those projects have been obtained,” he stated.
The commissioner added that his ministry would also be constructing, under direct labour, and award of contracts, some 2,000 housing units in seven locations across the state.
According to him, “The following house types will be constructed: One and two bedroom flats, three bedroom flats, three and four bedroom luxury flats, three and four bedroom terrace houses, three and four bedroom semi-detached houses and three bedroom detached houses.
“The delivery period for the housing estates ranges from six months to 60 months. While most of the projects are expected to be completed by 2011, others will be executed in phases and therefore, extend beyond the life of this present administration.”
Brolin
15 May 2008 16:13This is another way of denying people their right. I say a big NO to this idea because after rebuilding , these people might not get their houses back.This is a way of rubbing these people their right.Let us cast our mind back to Maroko Estate that was demolished then what has happening to them? 1004 what is happening? Bar beach tower residence what is their fate today?Surulere Tower how far with them? Mr. Commissioner why don’t you think of how you can improve peoples life rather than making it worse.Why don’t you concentrate on your Eko Atlantic project instead of making the masses worse of.Plssssssssssssss bury the idea and allow poor people to live.
Steve
15 May 2008 16:17Make sure the current owners of the houses are properly rellocated and at the end of the redevelopment and rebuilding of the houses in the said estates, they should be handed back to the rightful owners or else God will not forgive you.
Biyi Adebiyi
15 May 2008 16:57Government magic! These houses were allocated to the occupiers with valuable considerations when they were in the jungles. Many of these structures have been given modern touches by the allottees. Now that the environment which hitherto were in the bush are now opened, they now see reasons to rebuild them to enable them reallocate same to themselves, families and cronies. Remember the psychological trauma ‘Balogun Owu of Abeokuta’ that has insatiable appetite for landed properties is going through.
jojo
15 May 2008 17:18Bronlin,such develoment is not a new thing govt hav the right to demolish any building that poise danger to people.if a house is built to last 4 20yrs why do we hav to wait until it collapse to kill people?these estate are in bad shape and no maintanance all these years.i support the idea but new one to be build must hav the priority of the current occupant if they can afford it.
daniel usman
15 May 2008 17:29Hope this is not another way of making the poor to suffer an untold hardish and putting them in an unending deprivation of rightful properties.It all started with Raji Rasaki taking Marroco from them in the 90’s, then Olagunsoye Oyinlola took the AJAH DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION lands from them.I hope and pray that Fashola will not follow their evil steps.I know what great and good strend that the governor has taken since he came to power.Please do what is right, eko o ni baje ni igba ti e
Nuradeen
15 May 2008 17:33I agree with the concept Brolin and Steve have valid points i will rather the government start the redevelopment in phases move people into new houses and redevelop the old ones if not FASHOLA good intentions will be defeated , also involving the private sector is not the best approach for they will ask people to bring millions in deposit where will the average lagosian get that . The government should redevelop through direct labour of the state government . I agree the Jakande houses are not so strong anymore so Fashola should not wait for them to finally collapse before redeveloping them .
Lekan
15 May 2008 19:10You are all thieves!
No wahala! Yoruba said “After one eat to satisfaction, one now starts looking for one to play rough play with”, that is for FASOLA.
I know what will happen next, actually, FASOLA meant no harm, but they will rubbish the intension.
So kuku jeje leave them alone or help them rebuild and give it back to them, else we’ll you them thieves oooo.
If you eventually go ahead and it turned against you, no more secon term ooo. se o ti gbo FASOLA!
Foluso
15 May 2008 19:18These people with their abrakadabra, they have come again. Why cant Fashola and his men go and build their own estates first for people to see, before they start destroying what Jakande built. These houses gave hopes to people that had no hope before. Fashola n co. think ooooo
christbola
15 May 2008 21:01once the houses are completed,i know the old owners will be forgotten.
its going to be a case of who knows who.
i think its a really bad idea.
if you need to build more affordable houses do so on other lands and let the masses who are intereseted buy them.
oga commissioner,rethink this idea of yours ooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
Opal
16 May 2008 10:34Building houses to render people homeless.
Toks Adediran
16 May 2008 11:51I think the SAN with the Sound Mind and his gang meant well for Lagosians. Though, the policy might look anti-people, the state of the structures are very dillapidated, deplorable and looks older than there ages which is an indication that the building materials used are of very low quality and quantity. It is in the interest of the state for the state government to take neccessary action before the structures starts sinking and that will be so calamitous. Let us give them a chance in as much as the rightfull owners of the Flats will be duly relocated and compensated. Eko o ni baje ooooooo.
Evans
16 May 2008 13:37This seems to be a good idea but several things also need to be considered.
1. What will be the fate of the masses occupying these houses before the redevelopment and after the said redevelopment?
2. Will they be relocated to a very condusive environment?
3. And will they gain access to their houses again once it has been completed?
Cos in nigeria now, any thing like this, is an advantage to the rich to enrich themselves while the poor is neglected to their fates, taking Maroko for instance.
Oga Commisioner, pls have the masses at heartooooooo.