The Lagos State Government yesterday vowed to wield a big stick on allottees who engaged in sharp practice.
Commissioner for House Moruf Akinderu-Fatai warned home owners to refrain from renting out their apartments at exorbitant fees.
Those caught engaging in such act, Akinderu-Fatai, said would be penalized.
There have been complaints by residents of various state’s housing scheme on the high rent being charged by home owners.
According to the residents, the action has attracted people of questionable characters to the estates.
Some of the residents were reported to be smoking Indian hemp and other banned substances.
The commissioner said the state government will not hesitate to withdraw allocation from the home owners found culpable.
He said: “The essence of asking allottees to make five per cent down payment and spread the remaining amount for ten years was to make life bearable for Lagosians. This is what Mr Governor wants to achieve, but some people seem to be taking Mr Governor’s magnanimity for granted. They are renting those apartments out to make money. The question is why do people try to inconvenience others when the government’s intention was to make life bearable for citizens?”
Akinderu-Fatai called on the facility mangers and association members in the estates to weed out those engage in such practices or report them to the ministry.
He said the ministry will not hesitate to make those home owners forfeit their apartments with their payment refunded.
The commissioner assured that the State Government will continue to cater to the need of first time buyers that are in dire need of such accommodation facility through outright purchase and rent-to-own platform.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Abdulhafis Toriola, an engineer, said a lot of complaints have been received from some of the estates that some home owners harbor people of questionable character hence posing a threat to residents.
He noted that the ministry as a matter of urgency shall investigate and take the right step towards safeguarding the lives and prosperity of residents in the affected estates.
The Permanent Secretary also urged allottees to take ownership of joint facilities and follow the rules put in place to maintain the estates.
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