…We plan to build more estates to crash high cost of rent in Delta – Commissioner
Indigenes of Delta State have been given high hopes to the effect that housing and agency issues which seem to be increasing the number of people affected by high blood pressure, are being addressed.
Godknows Angele, the state commissioner for housing, said moves are on to crash high cost of rent in the state and to checkmate the activities of housing agents.
He said that already, his office has met with the members of the Real Estate Development Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Delta State Chapter, and have agreed that nobody is called House Agent except he/she is registered with the association.
He noted that what kills most these days is HBP “and we will help to reduce it among our citizens: As a civil servant, with N100,000 monthly salary, you think of house rent, school fees, and somebody in the name of Agent would come to talk of N2million package.
“If you want to be an agent, go and register with the association and we will checkmate you but in the line of landlords, it is an appeal.
“There is a bill going to the state House of Assembly, to regulate house rent and agency issues.
We however, cannot blame landlords much considering the high cost of building materials in markets across the country. Cement alone is over N10,000 per bag, then the building rods and other things.
Explaining on moral persuasion, Angele said that “there is a way you can appeal to them (the landlords) and you moderate with wisdom.
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“On our own as a government, we will do things that would crash the high cost of rent and that is using Public Private Partnership (PPP).
“In my time as Commissioner of Housing, we will use affordable Housing Scheme and God will accept my prayer.
As I’m talking to you, former governor started Social Housing Scheme and we are continuing with it. We have 50 Housing Units in Ozoro, 50 in Kwale and another 50 in Owa-Oyigbo. The intention is for civil servants to have affordable housing. Fifty buildings can accommodate 200 families. Meaning, you can build markets, schools and other facilities. So, we brought upward all the bills to do upward review to accommodate the fence, solar and water.
“We have shared it into phases to cover the 10 federal Constituencies of the state, stated Angele.
He disclosed that in Okpe/Sapele/Uwvie, Public Private Partnership (PPP) would commence any moment, which is Uwvie 400 Housing Units.
“For Okpe/Sapele, there is 1,000 Housing Units in Sapele now and that is the first set. We have Section ABC. The Sections A and B are built and families from Sapele have taken them. Now, it is Section C and that one is 1,000 plots.
“Another one is opposite Admiralty University in Ibusa, which is 1,000 plots and government has done 30% commitment, from there, many citizens would benefit,” he said.
He recalled that apart from the commissioners’ quarters built, 12 bedroom duplexes have been approved for Permanent Secretaries. Also, one bedroom into 50, built at the 181 Amphibious Brigade in Agbor, which is a federal parastatal.
“My plan is to build more estates to crash high cost of rent in Delta State. Some people may think it is not achievable but to me, it is, when you work with developers, get the equity share and compensate Deltans who you can trace their sources of income/livelihoods.”
He explained that when the state government succeed in providing affordable housing through PPP arrangements, it would be possible for the citizens of the state to buy houses even in their Local Government Areas.
Ifeanyi Olannye, chairman, Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Delta State Chapter who led his members on a courtesy visit to the commissioner, had called for Delta State Government’s urgent action in tackling high cost of housing in the state, especially Asaba the state capital and its environs.
Olannye, who commended Angele on his outstanding achievements in in the housing sector of the state, urged the commissioner to replicate the prototype of Jakande, Alaba and Amuwo-Odoffin Estates in Lagos State to crash the rents and effectively untilise land spaces at more affordable costs.
“If the state government can partner with developers and build high-rising accommodations, it will be cheaper, effective to manage and affordable given the currents costs of acquiring land and the rising accommodation rents in the State, particularly Asaba and environs,” he said.
