Ogun State government has commenced moves to enter into partnership with various financial institutions to ensure that affordable housing is provided for residents of the state irrespective of their social status.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun stated this recently at the commissioning of a 105-apartment Orange Valley Estate located at Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta, the state capital. He said in a bid to deepen home ownership among residents, especially civil servants, state-owned housing agencies have signed agreement with financial institutions for loans in form of mortgage to enable them secure loans.

Amosun also explained that the new drive for housing projects and infrastructure is the best option to provide conducive environment for prospective investors showing increasing interest in establishing industries in the state. “Ogun State has witnessed remarkable increase in economic activities with an attendant increase in human population in the last three and a half years. This is not unconnected with the rapid infrastructural development, which has made our state an investors’ destination of choice.

“However, this desirable development is not without its own challenges, especially as it concerns accommodation.

But, as a pro-active government, we mandated the various relevant agencies to frontally tackle the housing challenges and provide affordable housing to the people. It is heart-warming that all these agencies- Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC), Housing Corporation, Ministry of Housing, have all continued to live up to expectation.

“Our Administration is totally committed to our vision of affordable housing for our people, not just as part of our Urban Renewal programme, but also because shelter is a basic need of all people. In this direction, all relevant government Agencies have been strengthened. But, we also appreciate the fact that we do not have the monopoly of funds or wherewithal. For this purpose, our housing agencies particularly, OPIC and Housing Corporation are partnering with some financial institutions to provide loans in form of mortgage to deepen home ownership for our people,” he stated.

Amongst housing projects under construction in the state are: OPIC’s Alamala Housing scheme, which has just commenced and will serve lower income earners and also have zones for more public servants’ housing; and OPIC’s Agbara Housing scheme, which is designed for the low-lower/middle income earners. Others are Housing Corporation’s Plainfield Estate, which is designed for middle-income earners; Orange Valley Estate, designed for middle to upper income earners; and Ministry of Housing’s Three Hills Estate, Kobape, which is a new town designed for the ultra high- income earners and with districts for more middle-income earners.