By: Oluwaseun Boye
Governance is the word used in describing ways and manner of governing the affairs of a country, state and even an organization as the case may be.
Though it is commonly used in political arena to describe how a political office holder manages the resources in his custody to which could be good or bad.
It can therefore be said to be good when public affairs and resources are managed to ensure that the lowest group in the society benefits from government policies and programmes.
A Good Governance is the one that ensures that every member of the society participate directly or indirectly in the process of policy making and have the opportunity to contribute to the development of their constituencies. Activities of such government are aimed at the progress and welfare of masses irrespective of age, sex or class in the society.
In order to cater for the welfare of the masses in line with good governance principle, 3 basic human needs must be met which include food, clothing and shelter which is housing.
Housing shortage has been one of the major issue of concern in Nigeria which has made government at all levels continuously engage in numerous housing scheme strategies to address the problem of providing adequate and affordable housing to the citizens.
In 1991, the National Housing Policy was promulgated in order to propose possible solutions to housing problems in Nigeria. The basic goal of the policy at inception was to provide affordable housing to accommodate Nigeria households in a livable environment and ensure that the low income groups have access to affordable housing and other related facilities.
An unhygienic and unhealthy housing can affect the security, physical health and sanity of man. Provision of housing, which is central to human existence is a demonstration of good governance that addresses the social, welfare and economic development of any society.
No wonder the International Human Rights Agency recommends that government at all levels should do all within its power to provide for the housing needs of its citizens.
Of course, the housing sector is the bedrock of any given economy and also an important tool for stimulating growth and development. Housing construction indices are some of the most common measures used by analysts to gauge economic growth in any country.
In more advanced countries of the world, like the United States of America and Britain, the sector contributes significantly, between 30 percent and 70 percent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Therefore, investment in housing accounts for, between 15 percent to 35 percent of aggregate investment worldwide and the sector employs approximately 10 percent of labour force worldwide thereby reducing unemployment and criminality rate.
In line with its agenda ‘Building the Future of Ogun State Together’ and its promise of a people centred government, Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration within the short period of the emergence of his government has allocated large percentage of its resources towards ensuring that residents in the State have decent roofs over their heads, by providing decent and befitting accommodation for all and sundry. Through one of its agencies, The Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC) has commenced the development of Kings Court Estate, with about 48,685.34 square metre approximately 4.87 hectares of land, located along the Presidential Boulevard, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital.
The proposed Gated community would accommodate 51 villas of five bedrooms and an attached Boy’s Quarters, with other facilities to include, a shopping mall, club house, a recreation centre, potable water, swimming pool and uninterrupted power supply, among others.
The initiative according to the Managing Director of the Agency, Mrs Ibiyemi Adesoye would aid the growth of the State’s economy as an investment hub in Nigeria, by attracting investors which is fundamental to the economic development and the individual prosperity of the State.
Another giant stride in this direction is the proposed Family Homes Estate at New Makun City which is an initiative of Family Homes Funds ( FHF), a Federal Government Social Housing Project in collaboration with the State Government that aimed at making housing affordable and available for low-income earners in the Country.
Knowing fully well the position of Ogun State and its determination towards providing affordable housing for its citizenry, the State was chosen as one of the pilot states to test-run the scheme. Currently, the scheme is on-going with 36 units of studio flats, 456 units, each of 1 and 2 bedroom flats and 72 units of 3 bedroom bungalows at various stages of completion.
With this new development, Ogun residents would boast of a world class secured, peaceful and serene environment that would meet their day-to- day challenges.
As a matter of fact, the Dapo Abiodun-led administration is determined to make housing, not only available, but affordable to the good people of the State. Hence, the giant strides by OPIC, Ogun State Housing Corporation, a sister agency, established and saddled with similar mission to ensure that people in the state-owned or, at least, have access to decent, safe and sanitary housing accommodation at affordable cost with secured land tenure.
The good news for the people of the state is the commencement of mass housing estates across the state at affordable prices to address the housing deficit in the state, the Governor whose ideology is premised on ‘Building Our Future Together’ has not left out the civil servants and has assured them of the construction of more housing schemes that would not affect their take-home pay.
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