Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday inaugurated a 20-unit two-bedroom apartments on Olorogun-Allen Street, Surulere.
Sanwo-Olu also inaugurated a vocational training centre built by the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) on Owolewa Street, Surulere.
The mini-housing scheme named ”Love Garden” – was built by LSDPC, transforming a place that used to be criminals’ hideout into a cosy residential asset.
The suspended twin three-storey development sits on 2,719.30m square land belonging to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
The governor said that the redevelopment of the abandoned land had not only provided accommodation for residents, but that a major security threat in the area had also been removed.
He said the transformation reiterated the government’s commitment to urban regeneration and infrastructural renewal.
”The land on which this project is sited used to be a security liability for residents of this neighbourhood. It was previously a massive school compound before the school was moved out of the site.
”The land was taken over by people of questionable characters, who committed all sorts of atrocities and constituted threats to the residents’ peace. We had a conversation with SUBEB for the conversion of this fallow asset into a living asset.
”Today, the elegantly designed residential edifice is the outcome of the collaboration between LSDPC and SUBEB.
”We have created an enabling environment for government agencies to collaborate with the private sector in order to reduce the housing needs of our people.
”Now, the beneficiaries of this scheme can raise their family in this nice ambience and serene environment. Community members will also live in harmony, as we have eliminated a major threat to their peace,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He said that the provision of safe and comfortable housing schemes for the residents remained a key objective of his administration’s programmes, as the intervention had helped to raise standards of living.
The governor said that the state government remained committed to scaling up access to safe and convenient housing, while strengthening partnerships with the private sector to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He said that more housing projects would be inaugurated before the end of the year, as he charged beneficiaries to maintain the structure and encourage activities that would sustain the investment.
”For residents living in this neighbourhood, this development presents an opportunity to key into the government’s urban regeneration programme and improve their environment to raise the quality of living.
”We must join hands to ensure the mega status of Lagos is sustained,” Sanwo-Olu said.
LSDPC Managing Director, Mr Ayodeji Joseph, said that the housing scheme was built to reflect simplicity and elegance, while also being complemented with contemporary infrastructure.
Joseph said that the apartments had dedicated uninterrupted power source in addition to being connected to the national grid.
He said that the Owolewa Vocational Centre was built by LSDPC as a Corporate Social Responsibility to give back to the Surulere community to further aid the state government’s efforts at empowering young people with modern skills.
”I salute the maturity and cooperation displayed by the SUBEB management during the period of discussion, to change the use of the property and rights to acquire it.
”Today, the outcome has become a win-win situation for both the LSDPC and SUBEB,” Joseph said.