The Federal Government has announced the commencement of the 20,000 affordable mass housing Renewed Hope Cities and Estates project in Lagos State. This initiative falls under the recently launched Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Scheme by President Bola Tinubu, aiming to provide 100,000 affordable and decent housing units to Nigerians nationwide.

Dr. Markus Ogunbiyi, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, revealed this development while inspecting ongoing housing projects and government land earmarked for additional construction under the scheme. The inspection began with various parcels of land owned by the ministry at Census Close in the upscale area of Surulere.

Accompanied by the Federal Controller of Housing, Lagos State, Mrs. Margaret Adejobi, and other top directors, Ogunbiyi later inspected an ongoing project comprising 60 flats of two and three-bedroom units in Eric Moore. The team also assessed land within Games Village in Eric Moore and land at the Iponri area.

Ogunbiyi informed NAN that President Bola Tinubu had launched the pilot scheme of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates in Abuja the previous week, initiating the construction of 3,112 housing units. He stated that his visit to Lagos marked the beginning of the project in the state, aiming to build on the achievements in Abuja.

The project is being undertaken under a Public-Private Partnership, with a target of 100,000 housing units nationwide, including over 20,000 in Lagos State. Ogunbiyi acknowledged the scarcity of land in Lagos and emphasized the ministry's strategy of identifying and utilizing all available land to construct the houses.

Negotiations are ongoing with the Lagos State Government regarding the provision of land. In the meantime, the ministry is utilizing all its existing land. Ogunbiyi highlighted President Tinubu's commitment to transforming the entire nation into construction sites for decent, affordable mass housing, a goal that is already in progress.

The team also inspected the sewage treatment plant at the ongoing estate in Eric Moore, where the permanent secretary provided suggestions on environmentally friendly options for the developer. Additionally, Adejobi explained to the permanent secretary how portions of land being illegally occupied by squatters would be recovered for the projects.

Mr. Collins Alabi, the Director of Lands in Abuja, expressed concerns about land grabbers across the nation, noting that President Tinubu had empowered all states to address these issues. He mentioned a landmark Supreme Court judgement on January 5, 2024, which further empowered the ministry to deal with all forms of encroachments.

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