Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has commissioned the first fully serviced gated estate in Abeokuta, the State capital, with an assurance that the initiative would soon spread across the length and breadth of the State.
The Estate, named Orange Valley, which is located along the Presidential Boulevard, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, sits on a Nine hectare parcel of land with its first phase comprising 66 units of four bedroom detached duplexes and boys quarters.
Outstanding features of the first of its kind estate include recreational facilities such as swimming pool, a squash court as well as dedicated 24 hour power supply. Others are potable water supply, well manicured gardens and fire hydrants.
Speaking at the commissioning, Governor Amosun said that the ultra modern estate, the first in its 38 years of existence was completed within nine months and was a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to reducing housing deficits, pointing out that, all that went into the project, including building materials and the over 5,000 direct and indirect workers who worked on the project were sourced locally.
The governor disclosed that the estate, which was built without borrowing is for the executive class, adding that, income therefrom would be used to develop other estates which would be heavily subsidized for low income earners.
“Everything you see here is truly Ogun. The project gainfully employed over five thousand (5,000) skilled and unskilled labour, empowering over 100 indigenous entrepreneurs and increasing their capacity.
We didn’t borrow a penny to build this estate and whatever income that is generated from it would be re-cycled for low income earners’ estates which would be heavily subsidized,” he said.
Amosun who revealed that over 40 Units of the houses had been sold, called on investors to take advantage of the great investment opportunities which abound in the State to increase the returns on their investments.
“We are totally committed to our vision of affordable housing. We do not have access to unlimited funds but we are partnering with institutions of like minds to help our people access mortgages. The houses would be owner occupier basis, as we do not want to encourage Sherlock landlords,”he added.
He further disclosed that the streets in the estate were named after illustrous sons and daughters of the Gateway State in appreciation of their efforts. They include Prof. Theophilus Ogunlesi, Prof (Mrs) Olurin, Prof Wole Soyinka as well as Prof. Anthony Asiwaju
Present at the occasion were top government functionaries, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Aremu Adedotun Gbadebo, his Ilaro counterpart, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, the Osile of Oke-Ona, as well as service chiefs and Captains of industry.
