The Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has inaugurated the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Morire Housing Estate in Ijagbo, Oyun local government area of the state. The housing estate comprises 210 units of two-bedroom terrace apartments, 200 units of three-bedroom apartments, and 54 units of four-bedroom terrace duplexes. The governor emphasized that housing is a fundamental human need and a cornerstone of dignity, security, and family stability.
AbdulRazaq noted that the challenge of addressing housing deficit in Nigeria and Kwara State is daunting. He stated that the inadequacy of proper shelter for Nigerians is not merely a problem of not building enough houses, but a complex mix of causes, including high cost and rising cost of building materials, weak finance, difficult land systems, infrastructure gaps, and institutional limitations. The governor thanked the management of ISHI Homes Limited for partnering with the state government and choosing Kwara State as the location for this development.
The governor, represented by the commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Dr Segun Ogunsola, applauded the developer for recognizing his administration's contributions to mass housing development in the state. He stated that the administration has consistently placed housing development high on its agenda, recognizing access to decent and affordable housing as essential to the wellbeing of the people. The state government has also been in active collaboration with institutional partners, including the Federal Ministry of Housing, to increase housing stock in the state.
Recently, the state government acquired a housing estate with over 130 flats at Ogbondoroko in Asa LGA of the state. The government has approved that the estate be onboarded onto the administration's social support scheme. AbdulRazaq disclosed that his reforms in land administration have reduced the processing time for Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) from 180 days to 35 days, demonstrating the administration's commitment to making land administration more transparent, efficient, and investor-friendly.
The chief executive officer of ISHI Homes, Dr Olayinka Ilufoye, stated that the project aimed to democratize home ownership and make decent and affordable housing accessible to the people of Kwara south senatorial district. Ilufoye said the estate is 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 faith, hope, and expectation.
The executive chairman of the Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KWGIS), Alh Sulyman Abdulkareem, noted that the state government has consistently placed emphasis on housing development. The governor's commitment to housing development is also reflected in the development of the Kwara Smart City and other mass housing initiatives across the state. These initiatives aim to address the housing needs of the people and provide them with decent and affordable housing.
The inauguration of the 464-unit housing estate is a significant milestone in the state's efforts to address housing deficit. The estate is expected to provide decent and affordable housing to hundreds of residents, improving their quality of life and contributing to the overall development of the state. The governor's administration has demonstrated its commitment to housing development, and this project is a testament to that commitment.
Key points
- The housing estate comprises 464 units of apartments and duplexes.
- The governor's administration has reduced the processing time for Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) from 180 days to 35 days.
- The project aims to democratize home ownership and make decent and affordable housing accessible to the people of Kwara south senatorial district.
