LAGOS – Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Friday inaugurated a housing estate in Ogba area of the state, named after the late pro-democracy activist, Pa Anthony Enahoro.
Inaugurating the project, Fashola said that the 20- block expansive estate was dedicated to Enahoro`s memory in recognition of his struggles for the enthronement of democracy.
He said that if not for the sacrifice of the late activist and others, the democracy that the country enjoys today would have been a pipe dream.
Fashola said it was due to the hard-fought democracy that he could deliver the housing project and execute other life impacting projects.
“This housing project is more than an estate. It is a symbol of democracy .This is because it is our democratic experience that has allowed us to deliver this.
“But the democracy we are enjoying today was fought for by some people. Some of the people lost their lives and made so many sacrifices for the enthronement of democracy.
“One of such is the late Pa Anthony Enahoro. And today, as recognition of his struggles for the country and democracy I dedicate this to his honour and memory,’’ he said.
Fashola described democracy as the best form of government and urged the citizens to guard it jealously and shun acts that could truncate it.
The governor said the delivery of the housing project was a demonstration of the commitment of his administration to reduce the housing deficit.
He explained that the new 240 unit estate of one, two and three bedrooms would be allocated to residents on a 10-year mortgage, at not more than 9.5 per cent interest rate.
Fashola said that the allocation of all homes built by his administration on mortgage was to defeat the problem of affordability and enable home seekers conveniently pay for them.
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He said that the project, in which 13 construction companies were involved, had provided direct and indirect employment to some 5,000 people in the state.
The governor said no fewer than 26 projects were on-going in Ibeshe, Igando, Sangotedo, Magodo, Badia and other locations.
He said that when completed, the projects would further boost access to housing.
Fashola urged residents to vote for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, for the continuation of his administration`s development strides.
Mr Peter Enahoro, one of the late activist’s younger brothers, thanked Fashola for honouring the family.
“The governor`s gesture is out of this world, “ he said, noting that the family will cherish the honour forever.
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Earlier, Mr Bosun Jeje, the Commissioner for Housing, said the project was another milestone in the delivery of decent housing in the state.
He said that the estate was fitted with facilities like electricity, community hall, paved compound, landscaping, playground and others.
The commissioner thanked Fashola for providing all the essentials for the completion of the project and pledged government`s commitment to the provision of decent housing.(NAN)