Newly appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Hon. Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, at the weekend led his management team on a courtesy visit to Lagos State’s Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Ojo is husband to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s daughter and the Iyaloja-General, Mrs. Iyabo Tinubu-Ojo.
His visit on Saturday 16th March, 2024 was in continuation of their tour of South Western states.
When he spoke, Ojo said: “We are here to ask for land, after the land we then talk on the kind of houses to deliver. We don’t want to impose any designs on you. We want to collaborate with you and share knowledge and experiences with you.”
The MD said that the new end user driven policy of management is to consult with the various states to find out the models and design of houses to be built for them based on their values and preferences, to enable them have ownership of the projects, noting that the idea of imposing designs on people is over.
He said the agency would need land from all the states to deliver on the vision.
Speaking further, the FHA Managing Director noted that affordable housing remained a key point in the agenda of the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), therefore to ensure that FHA plays its statutory role towards the success of the programme, the new management under his leadership has decided to visit the state governors in the country, who are the custodians of land to ask for land.
Applauding the laudable achievements of Sanwo-Olu in Lagos especially in the area of housing, Ojo declared the willingness of FHA to partner with the Lagos State Government.
According to Ojo, the FHA intended deploying such delivery models like studio apartments and one- bedroom housing to cater for the young people.
He also said the authority was planning a Diaspora City project that Nigerians abroad can own houses locally.
The MD finally craved the indulgence of the State Governor for President Bola Tinubu (GCFR) to flag off and commission an FHA project in Lagos.
The Governor acknowledged that the state suffered a deficit in houses, noting that his government had commissioned about 19 estates.
According to him, every effort that will put roof over the head of the people was welcomed.
He said: “Your vision tallies with ours, which is providing accommodations to the people.
“We can collaborate because there are a lot of housing needs in Lagos.”
He promised to assist the FHA in acquiring land with a caveat that the development must be immediate because there were needs to be met.
