By Olasunkanmi Akinlotan
Osun state government and the Real Estate Development Association of Nigeria, REDAN has started plans to construct 3000 low cost housing units in the state.
This developmental project was agreed upon at a meeting of the Chairman of REDAN in Osun state, Chief Victor Eniola-Mark and the state Commissioner for Lands, Hon. Nathaniel Agunbiade on Thursday, at the latter’s office in Osogbo.
At the meeting, Mark explained that the success of the project, named RUHI-774, an initiative of the national body of REDAN in partnership with Family Home Funds Ltd and the Federal Mortgage Bank, is hinged on the support of state governments.
Chief Mark further stressed that his emotional attachment to Osun State being Ipinle Omoluabi informed the acceptance of his appointment as state Chairman of Osun REDAN having served as the publicity secretary of the association in Ogun state.
He however pleaded with the government to make land available for the laudable project at very affordable prices.
His words, “REDAN is a recognized real estate body and as a matter of fact state agencies that have to do with real estate are members of the association.
“One of the things REDAN is doing is called the RUHI-774 project. This project is a low cost housing project to be built across the 774 local government of the federation which we know can not be achieved without the support of the state governments, yes at the national level we already have 30 off takers already for the housing unit for each of the local governments in their states and across the country.
“This project is in partnership with the federal government and of cause the Family Home Funds, Mortgage bank and of cause REDAN.
“More importantly, we need land upon which these houses will be built just as we all know that this will solve the huge issue of the housing deficit that we currently face as country.
“So, to actualise the laudable project is why we have come to meet with the stakeholders, first the government and later the traditional rulers all just to achieve success. We are however appealing that government should make these lands affordable because if these lands are not affordable the said houses too will be on the high side and that is what we are guarding against”.
In his response, the Commissioner expressed the readiness of government to work towards the success of the project in Osun state.
Agunbiade, noted that the government has also just concluded plans to ensure that title documents such as C of O are made available within 40 days after application while other post title transactions will be ready within five days.
His words, “In fact affordable housing is part of, and one of our topmost priority as a government, so I can asssure you that the government has been providing enabling environment and will continue to create enabling environment. Before now, the government has had cause to acquire land for overriding public interest and you will see that even when you have the C of O for a building that falls within such needed land, you will be paid compensation.
“So, whatever area you want to partner with us, we will look into your request and we will grind out locations where affordable housing will be built.
What government will be contributing will be the cost of the land but in anyways our door is widely open for investors who are willing to partner with us”.
When the REDAN chairman engaged the Commissioner on the possible way out of the tedious process of getting titles for lands, Agunbiade noted that the government has taken proactive steps in ensuring that stress becomes a thing of the past in securing land titles.
He enumerated saying, “Until recently, we turnout C of Os 90 days after submission of application, but by this morning it has been agreed upon that the 90days be cut down to just 40days so that by the time our GIS machine starts to work what we aspire to do is to ensure that when you bring in your application provided all documentations are in place you must take you CofO within a window period of 40days.
“Meanwhile, there are always subsequent transactions which are ; assignments, deed of assignment, sub leases, leases and mortgages as it concerns all those documents, will be taken from this ministry within just five days”.
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