The Oniorisan Ruling House in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State has announced plans to develop a 75-acre housing scheme to help mitigate the housing deficit in the state.
Speaking to reporters during a site assessment on Tuesday, Chief Modupe Oniorisan, the Olori-Ebi of the Oniorisan Chieftaincy family, revealed that the family had secured land allocation to contribute to Lagos’s Mega City status through this initiative.
According to Chief Oniorisan, the family’s initiative was spurred by the declining availability of housing facilities in Lagos and the pressing need to address the housing shortage. “We have secured the allocation of the land following a Lagos High Court judgement and the eventual gazetting of the land to our family by the Lagos State Government,” she said. “Our plan as a family is to develop this place into a housing estate to address the housing deficit.”
The proposed housing scheme will not only provide homes but also include essential facilities such as schools, health centers, and recreational areas, boosting the economic viability of the Epe community.
The Lagos State Government has expressed its willingness to collaborate on such initiatives to bridge the housing gap. The state government is currently working with the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to provide affordable housing for both residents and Nigerians abroad. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu emphasized this during a recent visit from the FHA management team, led by Managing Director and CEO Oyetunde Ojo.
Chief Oniorisan also highlighted the detrimental impact of land grabbers on housing development. She urged families in Lagos who have government-allocated land to consider using it for developmental projects rather than leaving it idle. “By the Lagos Land Use Act, every land belongs to the government, which decides on who gets what. Although families may lay claim to lands by their ancestry, they still need government approval. Unused lands create opportunities for land grabbers, hindering beneficial housing developments,” she explained.
In conclusion, Chief Oniorisan encouraged other families to follow their example and develop their allocated lands to benefit the state and its residents, thereby reducing the housing deficit and fostering overall development.
