Gov. Amosun explains why Ogun is growing in Housing and Infrastructure

Amid growing interest of firms in the establishment of industries in the Ogun state, authorities have explained that the new drive for housing projects and infrastructure is the best option to provide conducive environment for prospective investors.

It was reported recently that over 100 companies have shown readiness to locate their manufacturing outfits in the state, with 32 of this figure already on ground at different levels of operation, while 27 have fully commenced operations, a move that has spurred the state government to restructure its bureau of lands and survey for such activities.

For instance, in the Sango Ota axis to Agbara, Ewekoro, Ibese, Ifo, Ibafo, Magboro and Sagamu, not less than 50 major manufacturing firms including Procter and Gamble, Nestle, Dangote Cement, Lafarge Africa Plc, WEMPCO Steel Mill, Multitrex Integrated Foods Plc, Drugfield, Kolorkote, Fidson, Intercontinental Distillers, Pure Chemicals, Fine Chemicals, Farmex Mayer, Shonghai Packaging, Eagle Packaging, Leady Pharma, May and Baker, Nycil Limited, Honda Nigeria Plc, and Assometal, Nigeria Foundry Limited, Dufil Indomie, Federated Steel Mills, Tower Aluminium, Nigerian Breweries, Nigerian German Chemical and Obasanjo Farms have registered their presence.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun who confirmed the development during the opening of Orange Valley estate, disclosed that “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,” he said.

He said: “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.”

Amongst housing projects under construction 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.

Essentially, the Orange Valley, a gated community comes in two phases. The entire estate sits on a site measuring nine hectares and this first phase occupies five hectares, with over 900 meters of fully finished internal roads and drains.

Under the scheme, the first phase of the estate comprises of 66 units of four-bedroom semi-detached duplexes with boy quarters, and functioning central facilities such as; communal club house, swimming pool, squash court, central gym, dedicated 24/7 power supply, potable water, landscaped gardens and fire hydrants. About 30 units have been sold and allocated.

Special Adviser to the governor on Property and Investment/ OPIC Managing Director, Mr. Babajide Odusolu said: “The Orange Valley Estate was conceived in December, 2014 in furtherance of this administration’s cardinal programme focused on housing and urban Renewal, and exactly 10 months later, we are commissioning the project.

“During the course of construction, we employed over 5,000 direct and indirect labourers; many of whom travelled from far and near and toiled tirelessly to make this vision a reality. We have also successfully impacted our environment providing a canal that channels storm water from this hilltop all the way through to Lukosi. In addition, we provided drainage channels to relieve storm stagnant water across the hilltop.”

Credit: Guardian Newspaper