Hamzat pledges affordable housing, better transport

During the Lagos Governorship Debate, All Progressives Congress candidate Obafemi Hamzat promised to enhance Lagos State’s transportation infrastructure and introduce long-term mortgage schemes to make housing more affordable for residents. In response to questions about why people continued to face economic hardships despite the state’s wealth, Hamzat acknowledged the rising costs of essential goods and petrol, but argued that the government could intervene in key sectors such as housing, agriculture, and transportation to alleviate the burden.

He emphasized that the state could control housing, agriculture, and transportation to ease the financial strain.

Regarding transportation, Hamzat outlined his administration's plan to create an integrated network of road, rail, and water transport systems to facilitate the movement of large numbers of commuters across the state. He highlighted ongoing projects such as the completion of the Blue Line and the extension of the Red Line to link up, as well as the development of a Trade Fair terminal to move people en masse.

Hamzat also stressed the importance of utilizing Lagos' waterways, proposing to turn the lagoon into a waterway to expand public transportation options.

On housing, Hamzat noted that Lagos had developed 24 housing estates with 18,000 units over the past eight years. His administration would introduce mortgage arrangements requiring a 10 per cent initial payment and a 25-year repayment plan, allowing prospective homeowners to pay over time. He emphasized that this mortgage system would complement existing housing projects, such as the Ibeshe Housing Estate with 2,700 units, to provide more accommodation for residents.

By spreading payments over a longer period, Hamzat argued that homeownership would become more accessible to Lagosians who struggled to raise the large sums required for outright purchases.