The Lagos State Ministry of Housing on Saturday held a meeting with residents of the state government-owned housing estates in Ikorodu to address their challenges and improve living conditions.

The stakeholders’ forum took place at Oba Adeboruwa Housing Estate.

The ministry’s permanent secretary, Abdulhafis Toriola, said the engagement was organised to gather feedback from the residents and find solutions to challenges in the various estates.

Mr Toriola said challenges were expected in any active environment but assured that the government was committed to addressing them.

“We engage allottees and residents directly, and this has helped us to resolve many problems,” he said, adding that the engagement would be held on a monthly basis.

Mr Toriola urged residents to comply with the rules and regulations governing government estates, saying that laws at both the national and state levels must be respected.

Olukemi Fosudo, the director of the estate department in the ministry, said stakeholders’ meetings were regularly held to engage residents of Lagos State Government housing estates and proffer solutions to challenges.

She said Saturday’s meeting covered six Lagos State government housing estates within Ikorodu: Oba Adeboruwa Housing Estate, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye Housing Estate, Babatunde Olushola Benson Housing Estate (Ibeshe), Millennium Housing Estate (Oke Eletu), Jubilee Housing Estate (Ayangburen Ikorodu), and Millennium Housing Estate (Ibeshe).

Ms Fosudo said the meetings would continue as part of efforts to sustain the housing estates.

The chairman of the Community Development Association of the Oba Adeboruwa Housing Estate, Hammed Bolaji, said, “We have seen improvements, including the fixing of the main entrance gate and repainting of buildings. We thank the permanent secretary for his efforts.”

He, however, appealed for more support, noting that proposals had been submitted for additional facilities, including healthcare facilities, recreational spaces, and event centres.

During the forum, the residents raised concerns about poor drainage systems, and Mr Toriola assured them that the issue would be addressed promptly.

Representatives of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority advised residents against burning waste, while fire service officers sensitised them on fire safety.

Officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control urged parents to monitor their wards to prevent drug abuse, while LASACO Assurance Plc educated the residents on the importance of insuring their property.

(NAN)