Lagos begins workers’ village, gives contractors weeks to complete Egan-Igando housing project

The Lagos State Government has commenced the construction of a new workers’ village at Ajasa, Command, in the Ipaja area of the state as part of efforts to expand access to affordable housing, while also directing contractors handling the Egan-Igando Housing Scheme to complete the project within the next few weeks.

The Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, gave the directive during an inspection of the ongoing housing projects across the state.

A statement by the Lagos State government said the new workers’ village will consist of 176 housing units made up of one- and two-bedroom apartments spread across 11 blocks of 16 flats each. The estate will also be equipped with modern infrastructure.

Speaking during the inspection, Akinderu-Fatai said the project would help the state provide more affordable homes for residents, particularly workers and low-income earners.

The commissioner, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Adulhafis Toriola, and other members of the ministry’s technical team, also inspected the ongoing Egan-Igando Housing Scheme.

The housing estate comprises 636 residential units and features facilities including a football pitch, tennis court, shopping mall, solar-powered water filtration system and shops, all designed to create a self-sustaining community.

Akinderu-Fatai urged contractors handling the project to speed up work to enable the state government prepare the estate for commissioning by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“We are here to assess the progress of work and identify areas requiring urgent attention. We have a contractor who is far behind schedule, and that is one of the major challenges we are addressing. However, that will not stop us from moving ahead with our plans to complete these projects,” he said.

He explained that the inspection formed part of the ministry’s regular monitoring exercise aimed at ensuring quality delivery of all housing projects across the state.

“Every inspection allows us to verify that construction is progressing according to specification, identify areas requiring attention and ensure that quality is never compromised,” he added.

The inspection team also visited the Beacon Estate in Ipaja, a joint venture between the Lagos State Government and a private developer.

The estate consists of 126 housing units, including 80 ongoing two-bedroom apartments and 48 completed three-bedroom apartments.

“The Lagos State Government remains committed to delivering housing projects that meet the expectations of our citizens and reflect the administration’s vision of a #Greater Lagos,” he noted.

Akinderu-Fatai also assured residents that homes under the LagosHOMS scheme would remain affordable, especially for low-income earners.

According to him, buyers of the houses will pay below the prevailing market price.

“Mr. Governor will always make sure that people buying these houses pay less than the standard market rate,” Fatai said.

The commissioner also appealed to private developers to invest in affordable housing projects that would benefit low-income residents and support government efforts to reduce the state’s housing deficit.

He disclosed that all the housing projects inspected are expected to be completed before the end of the year, provided contractors continue to adhere to approved specifications and project timelines.

He further assured that the ministry would continue to closely monitor every project to ensure contractors meet the required standards.

“We will continue to maintain close supervision of all ongoing housing projects to ensure that every contractor delivers quality work in line with the standards expected by the Government and the people of Lagos State,” he said.