Date: 2017-03-19

Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed has promised that adequate compensation will be paid for lands acquired under its 5000 mass housing projects for the less privileged.

The Governor who made this disclosure at the Ground Breaking of New Cities in Remote places for the less privileged at Ajase-Ipo in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state stated that "compensation for land acquired for the mass housing projects is currently being worked out and will be paid as soon as the modalities are completed."

According to the governor, though, the housing project is an initiative of the African Nations Development Program (ANDP) in partnership with the Kwara State Government, "It is also worthy of note that the Africa Nations Development Programme intended to site the project at one specific location in the State. However, in the spirit of Shared Prosperity, we agreed with our partners to spread the project across the State. Consequently, seven locations were selected, including Ajase-Ipo, Ilorin, Osi, Lafiagi, Share, Ilesha-Baruba and Offa."

Governor Ahmed explained that out of the 5000 two-bedroom bungalow of the housing units, 500 each will be constructed in Ajase-Ipo and Offa, 2000 units on 100 hectares in Ilorin, 500 on 50 hectares each in Osi, Lafiagi, Share and Ilesha-Baruba.

"The most cheering news is that the housing units, designed to provide affordable mass housing to citizens and residents of the state, will be allocated to low income earners free of charge," the governor assured the people.

The New Cities in Remote places programme, according to the governor, entails the provision of 5000 new homes with other infrastructures and amenities like road network with drainages, water, electricity, Ultra-modern hospital, schools and skill acquisition center.

Earlier, the African Director-General of ANDP, Ambassador (Dr) Samson Omojuyigbe had said the ground breaking was the result of "painstaking arrangements" by the Kwara State Government and ANDP officials, saying the project is meant to alleviate the plight of the poor in the society by putting an end to the " grinding poverty" they face daily.

"The desire to turn things around for the less privileged in our midst is the driving force behind this initiative of ANDP", he said.