The Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Mr Moruf Akinderu- Fatai, has warned the public against purchase or sale of its estates without following due process.
A statement by Mrs Adeola Salako, spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, said the commissioner sounded the warning while reviewing activities of the ministry in his office at Alausa.
Akinderu-Fatai urged members of the public to be wary of allotees of the state’s housing estates who engaged in indiscriminate transfer or sale of allocated homes without valid certifications.
” The state is aware that some allotees engage in the transfer of ownership of housing units without proper documentation.
“Many of these original allotees do not remit funds to the state government after obtaining payments from unsuspecting members of the public.
“This often leads to loss of revenue to the state as well as incomplete data of homeowners under the State Housing Scheme.
“In some cases, members of the public have fallen victim of swindlers who make people pay even above government rates for fake allocations,” he said.
Akinderu-Fatai advised members of the public to always verify the status of any of its estates with the Ministry of Housing before sealing any transaction.
According to the commissioner, anyone who has the intention of procuring or buying a home from an allottee should endeavour to visit the Ministry of Housing in Ikeja for enquiry and clarification.
He outlined the procedures for applying for change of ownership saying, “intending applicant should forward an application letter requesting change of ownership with a letter of authorisation from the original allottee”.
He advised allottees or homeowners in the state housing estates to apply for a Deed of Sub-Lease of their homes to enable them use the homes as supporting assets for other financial transactions.
Akinderu-Fatai also said the government was commited to delivering its mandate on provision of high quality shelter and increasing the housing stock for the residents of Lagos State. (NAN)
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