BY YINKA KOLAWOLE

Ogun State government is to devote 12.72 percent of its projected income in 2014 to fund housing development and urban renewal programme in the state.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun disclosed this during the presentation of the state’s 2014 budget proposals of N210.21 billion on the floor of the state House of Assembly in Abeokuta. He said that a total sum of N26.74 billion, representing 12.72 percent of the total budget estimates, is being set aside for the provision of of affordable housing and urban renewal programme in the state in 2014.

Amosun noted that the allocation will ensure the creation of an enabling environment for housing development and urban renewal in the state, while also helping to tackle challenges in environmental management. “We see housing as both a social necessity and an economic opportunity. Our policy is focused on creating the enabling environment for housing development as well as directly undertaking interventions through the ministry of housing, housing cooperation and Ogun Property Investment Corporation,” he said.

The governor said the ministry of housing will tackle major housing projects such as the Kobape residential estate, a 50-hectare mixed development with full infrastructure such as water, power sewage systems and internal roads in the greater Abeokuta region. He said the scheme will comprise of serviced plots and fully furnished houses at various price ranges. He remarked that a similar scheme was already being developed by the ministry in the Sagamu and Ota areas, in addition to undertaking the new town development and Abeokuta City Centre projects.

Amosun further revealed that both OPIC and the state’s housing corporation will concentrate on executing the Agbara Urban Renewal and Housing programme, Ijebu Ode New GRA projects, Orange Valley, Abeokuta Urban Renewal project, New Makun City projects at Sagamu Interchange, Isheri Commercial City projects as well as building of over 500 houses for the state’s civil servants.