AbdulRazaq inaugurates 464-unit housing estates in Kwara ​‌‌‌‍‍​‍⁠⁠‍​​⁠​⁠‌​‌‌​

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara has inaugurated the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Morire Housing Estate in Ijagbo, Oyun Local Government Area of the state .

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the housing estates includes 210 units of two-bedroom terrace apartments, 200 units of three-bedroom units and 54 units of four-bedroom terrace duplexes.

AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Dr Segun Ogunsola,
said the Morire City project was an example of what could be achieved when government creates the right environment for private investment.

“This administration believes that in adequacy of proper shelter
for Nigerians is not merely a problem of not building enough houses.

“Indeed, several studies have attributed the housing deficit in Nigeria to a complex mix of causes, key amongst them being high cost and rising cost of building materials,” he said.

The Governor also listed weak finance, difficult land systems, infrastructure gaps institutional limitations as some of the challenges.

“We have also continued to direct significant investment to physical infrastructure expansion and renewal, and our communities are increasingly becoming more live-able as access to functional infrastructure increases.

“Government is also seeing to it that citizens especially the civil servants could afford decent rents and provide proper shelter for
themselves and their families,” he said.

AbdulRazaq added that the State has also been active collaboration with
institutional partners including the Federal Ministry of Housing with a view to increasing housing stock in the State.

“Recently, we acquired a housing estate with over 130 flats at Ogbondoroko in Asa LGA of the State. Government has approved that the estate be onboarded onto the administration’s social support scheme.

“The Kwara Smart City is another example of our vision for improved housing delivery in the State. Government has been receiving proposals from entrepreneurs and developers who can see through opportunities in the Smart City project.

AbdulRazaq stated that the government would continue to collaborate with investors who show evidence of
demonstrable capacity to expand access to safe, affordable and decent housing in Kwara.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ISHI Homes, Dr Olayinka Ilufoye, said the project aims to democratise home ownership and making decent and affordable housing accessible to the people of Kwara South senatorial district.

Ilufoye said the estate was meant for civil servants, traders and other Nigerians who can access it through the National Housing Fund (NHF).

“The name AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Morire, which translates to ‘I have seen goodness’, is a deliberate expression of our faith, hope and expectation.

“We believe this estate will become a testimony of prosperity, progress and abundance in Kwara South,” he said.

He pledged that the company would remain committed to transparency, accountability, quality construction and timely delivery.

The Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KWGIS), Alhaji Sulyman Abdulkareem said the state government has consistently placed housing development high on its development agenda.

He explained that the reforms in land administration had yielded measurable results, with about 600 Certificates of Occupancy recently approved and signed.

Abdulkareem said the processing time for C of O had been reduced from over 180 days to about 35 days where documentation was complete.

He added that the improved turnaround time demonstrated the commitment of the administration to making land administration more transparent, efficient and investor-friendly.

He congratulated Ishi Homes and prospective homeowners on the milestone and reiterated government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that expand access to quality housing and promote orderly development of the state.

“The administration has consistently placed housing development high on its agenda. The government recognises access to decent and affordable housing as essential to the wellbeing of the people,” he said.

According to him, the government has ensured access to land, facilitated prompt issuance of title and C of O, and provided timely approvals for market transactions to create an enabling environment for housing development.

“Most importantly, the agency has recorded significant progress in the processing and issuance of C of O, with about 600 C of Os recently approved and signed by His Excellency since the implementation of the reform.”

Abdulkareem commended the state government for ensuring access to land, facilitating the prompt issuance of titles and certificate of occupancy. (NAN)