Ambode: Lagos state will consider ‘rent and own’ housing scheme

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwumi Ambode, on Friday said the state would consider adopting a ‘rent and own’ policy in resolving the housing deficit in the state.

In an interactive session at his office in Alausa, Ikeja, Ambode acknowledged that it was not easy for a winner of a three-bedroom flat, under the state government’s housing scheme, to make an initial payment of about N5m, which is half the cost, before spreading the balance through monthly payments.

He noted that it was unnecessary for a bachelor or spinster to own a three-bedroom flat, stressing that it was better for those in this category to get studio apartments and upgrade to more spacious accommodations when they were married and started having children.

He appreciated the solid foundation already laid by his predecessors in office in the state, calling for suggestions and constructive criticism by all residents, including the media, so as to build on what was on the ground.

The News Agency of Nigeria quotes Ambode as noting that the multi-modal approach already in place to tackle transportation problems in the state would be improved upon.

He said his focus would be on ‘continuity with improvement’, adding that the involvement of the private sector in solving Lagos State’s transportation problems would be intensified.

Ambode explained that though about 230 private boat operators were transporting about a million people daily through the waterways, more were welcome.

“As more means of mass transportation come on board, the more than 600,000 private car owners and 120,000 motorcycles that are being put on the road in the state on daily basis will reduce in number,” he said.

On dwindling federal allocation, Ambode stated that the state would enlarge its internally generated revenue drive, without bringing hardship on residents.

According to the governor, less than half of the taxable adults in the state currently performed their civic obligations, saying it was time more are made to key into doing so without increasing taxation.

Ambode pledged that more effort would be put in place to promote tourism in the state and use this to provide jobs for the teeming unemployed.

Specifically, the governor explained that a summit would soon be convened to address the critical issues in the sector.

(NAN)