Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has performed the foundation laying of 1,000 units of Maigida Housing Estate in Ilorin in a bid to bridged the gap of housing deficit in the state.

The intention, the governor explained was to provide shelter to low and middle class workers and free them from the shackle of shylock landlords. The governor called on private developers to partner with the state government in providing quality housing delivery as part of the programmed efforts to bridge the gap of the housing deficit across the state.

The governor during the foundation laying on Monday, spoke of his government's intention to ensure that more people have quality, affordable and accessible housing in line with the present administration's shared prosperity program. According to the governor," Undoubtedly, shelter is one of the basic necessities of life and housing has become a major concern for both individuals and governments in Nigeria.

"According to 2006 census figures, Kwara State, with a population of 3.5 million, has 486,000 households. With an estimated 6 people per household, therefore, Kwara State has a housing deficit of 584, 000 affordable and quality units. "This deficit not only demonstrates how serious the housing situation is, it also underlines the need for partnership with the private sector as government cannot fill the housing gap on its own.

"Currently, Kwara State is experiencing a high population growth due to the huge influx of people and businesses to our state, based on our reputation as the gateway to the north and south as well as the relative peace we enjoy. "Therefore, it has become crucial that we, as a responsible and welfare-oriented government, provide affordable and quality housing such as the 1000 units being flagged-off today to accommodate the state's growing population. "These units, therefore, reflect our government's recognition of the urgent need to provide affordable, quality housing to meet more of our people's need for shelter".

The governor who said the housing scheme in partnership with private developers was part of his government's vision for developing the housing sector and ensuring mass quality housing for all. His words: "This is crucial to the economic development of the state, given the multiplier effects that the sector can produce in terms of maximizing human potentials for development and growth as well boosting the building and construction sectors.

"The scheme comprises of 1,000 Housing Units, and is expected to serve as a model Housing Estate in the state in terms of quality of construction, infrastructural facilities and affordability.

"It is important to note that in addition to providing shelter for the people, this Housing Scheme will also engage workers, thereby creating employment and attracting commerce and development to the Budo- Osho area". He also assured Kwarans that the housing scheme would be replicated across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.

The state commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Hon Muideen Alalade had earlier in his remark said the foundation laying of the scheme was a practical demonstration of the government's efforts to meet the yearnings of the people.

He also disclosed that the government had provided the enable environment for private developers to invest their funds into housing scheme in the state, for provision of safe and affordable houses to the citizenry.

The General Manager, Kwara Hosing Corporation, Arch Saliu Sulaiman in his speech said the scheme has 500 capacity housing scheme with 82 two bedrooms and 418 three bedrooms flats, for the first phase. He explained further that the scheme was demand driven with good road network, water and power supply among others, saying that 3,000 direct labour would be needed.