On Tuesday, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State inaugurated a 464-unit housing estate at Ijagbo in Oyun Local Government Area of the state. The estate, styled AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Morire Housing Estate, aims to provide affordable housing for residents. The project comprises 210 units of two-bedroom terrace apartments, 200 units of three-bedroom units, and 54 units of four-bedroom terrace duplexes. This development is a partnership between the state government and ISHI Homes Limited.
Governor AbdulRazaq, represented by his commissioner for housing and urban development, Dr. Segun Ogunsola, emphasized that inadequate shelter for Nigerians is a complex issue, not solely a matter of building enough houses. He cited high costs and rising costs of building materials, weak finance, difficult land systems, infrastructure gaps, and institutional limitations as contributing factors to the housing deficit. The governor stressed that basic housing is a fundamental human need and a cornerstone of dignity, security, and family stability.
The governor expressed gratitude to ISHI Homes Limited for partnering with the state government and choosing Kwara as the location for this development. He applauded the developer for recognizing his administration's contributions to mass housing development in the state. AbdulRazaq highlighted his administration's commitment to housing development, including collaboration with institutional partners, such as 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 also 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. This improved turnaround time demonstrates the administration's commitment to making land administration more transparent, efficient, and investor-friendly.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ISHI Homes, Dr. Olayinka Ilufoye, stated that the project aims to democratize home ownership and make decent and affordable housing accessible to the people of Kwara South senatorial district. The estate is intended for civil servants, traders, and other Nigerians who can access it through the National Housing Fund (NHF). Ilufoye expressed his company's commitment to transparency, accountability, quality construction, and timely delivery.
The Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KWGIS), Alhaji Sulyman Abdulkareem, commended the state government for ensuring access to land, facilitating the prompt issuance of titles and certificates of occupancy. He noted that by approving mortgage transactions promptly, the governor is creating the conditions for housing development to thrive in Kwara. Abdulkareem emphasized the state government's consistent efforts to prioritize housing development.
The inauguration of the 464-unit housing estate is a significant step towards addressing the housing deficit in Kwara State. The project reflects the state government's commitment to providing affordable housing for its residents. With its emphasis on transparency, accountability, and quality construction, the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Morire Housing Estate is expected to become a model for future housing developments in the state.
Key points
- The 464-unit housing estate comprises 210 units of two-bedroom terrace apartments, 200 units of three-bedroom units, and 54 units of four-bedroom terrace duplexes.
- The project aims to democratize home ownership and make decent and affordable housing accessible to the people of Kwara South senatorial district.
- The state government's reforms in land administration have reduced the processing time for Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) from 180 days to 35 days.
