By Chioma Obinna
Better days are ahead for medical doctors under the employment of Lagos State Government as all is set for them to move into their own homes with just N42, 000 monthly premiums.

The medical doctors, under the auspices of Medical Guild, said the pursuit of a housing scheme became necessary to address the problem of housing  in the country so that doctors can have comfortable place of abode  for them to offer better and improved services to their patients.

Speaking during the foundation laying ceremony of the Medical Guild Estate at Warewa, near  Journalists’ Estate Arepo, Dr. Tajudeen Salau, Secretary, Medical Guild said the plan to embark on the residential housing estate started two and  half years ago.

According to him, “we were distributing television sets, refrigerators and other home appliances to doctors but decided to do something to reduce the housing problems of our people by building an estate,” he said.

Salau said the Guild approached the Osho Olorogun family for a site for Medical Guild Estate at Warewa, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, and they obliged to give their land which is about 8.9 hectares to the association to build an estate.

He hinted that the estate is on a level surface and would have green areas, drainage system and recreational facilities among others.  Salau also explained that at the moment, there are 133 subscribers but 264 slots are available. “The estate is 264 units of three bedrooms and duplexes of four bedroom apartments.”

He said ETB was the first bank approached to fund the project and it didn’t disappoint as it released N60 million, pointing out that N50 million out of the sum was paid to the land owners while N5 million to the agents who sought for the site and another N5 million for the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and other documentation.

He said ETB also gave the Guild N20million for soil test, adding that doctors have since repaid the loan. Salau said First bank has also paid N60 million to the contractors to keep the project moving.

He said Union Homes has been distributing the fund to the Johnson Brothers Limited, the construction firm handling the project.

Dr. Salau who noted that doctors who subscribed to the scheme would be repaying gradually, said. there is an understanding with the Lagos state government on the project, adding that subscribers’ premium would be deducted at source.

The representatives of  Johnson Brother Limited, Mr. Kehinde Adams said the estate would be bankrolled by Union Homes which has pledged to provide N1Billion for the construction.  He said the construction company would deliver on time, adding that all partners are working to achieve the set target.

In his remarks, Commissioner for Housing and Environment in Ogun State, Mr. Daniel Adejobi  pledged that his ministry will ensure that the Certificate of Occupancy (C f O) of the land on which the Medical Guild Estate will be built, will be out as soon as possible.

Adejobi said “although, you are medical doctors from Lagos who have come to settle down in Ogun State and we can cooperate with you in the area by making housing possible for your members. The Ministry of Housing is interested in the provision of quality housing for the people.

Besides, we see the medical guild as a group of people that are interested in quality housing. We  will partner with you and whatever assistance you may require in Ogun State in this area”, he assured.