Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said that the vision of his administration is taking shape with urban renewal initiatives across major towns in the state.
Abiodun, who disclosed this when he visited ongoing construction at the Ibara Government Reservation Area (GRA), Abeokuta, said housing projects initiated by his administration had added lustre and beauty to all major cities across the state.
He said the housing initiatives in Kobape, Iperu, Ijebu Ode and Ilaro had transformed the areas and they are, consequently, now being referred to as smart cities.
The governor spoke on the urban renewal schemes of his administration as the first phase of 35 houses are completed at the Ibara GRA.
Speaking during the inspection of the project site, Governor Abiodun said his administration is determined to turn GRAs, which he described as the state’s treasure, to what they should be.
Abiodun decried the deplorable condition of the State’s GRAs, which he said had become slums and unfit for humans to live in.
He said: “We began to carry out urban renewal projects in Abeokuta, the state capital, in phases with three hectares of land. The first phase has 30-35 houses and what we have done is exemplary.
“The construction is done by our artisans which is of course another way of creating employment. The houses are affordable despite their high quality. This project presents a new face of Abeokuta.”
The governor expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far and noted that though work is still in progress, drainages, sidewalks, solar street lights, electricity and water reticulation are already in place.
“You can see that the designs are very pleasing to the eyes and the completion is also commendable. This project is not executed by foreign contractors and it is not even in contract but constructed by direct labour to ensure that our citizens who are artisans like painters, bricklayers, carpenters, welders participate in this construction,” he added.
Governor Abiodun commended the Commissioner for Housing and his team for implementing his vision
