The Chairman of the Oyo State Housing Corporation, Barrister Bayo Lawal, on Thursday, met with the General Manager and other senior staff of the corporation at the head office, in Ibadan, the state capital.
He promised to transform the housing corporation and housing estates in the state including the ones outside the state capital.
The Bamofin of Kisi who was recently appointed by the Oyo state governor, Engineer Seyi was conducted round the Housing Corporation office in Ibadan, to see the situation of things in the corporation.
He said “Housing Corporation is a well established corporation. Perhaps the first corporation in Nigeria and our Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo established Bodija Housing Estates which metamorphosid into various names but today it’s Housing Corporation of Oyo State.
“I have moved round and I discovered that the facilities are grounded. Most of the things that are expected to be functioning are not functioning. As I speak with you, they hardly have any functional vehicle. You know this is a builder corporation. I expect that I should have graders, tippers and all of that but they don’t have.
“So, but I have a clear mandate from His Excellency, the Governor of Oyo state, Engineer Seyi Makinde to come and transform this place. So that it will be an example that it used to be in the years back when Bodija Estate was built. So that’s the primary focus of my mission here. I want to transform this place and I have been briefed. I have moved round. It will not surprise you that most of the furniture that are being use were furniture purchased some 30 or 40 years ago.
“I want to seize this opportunity to tell everyone to cooperate with us. I have said it clearly. I have a clear mandate, we want to transform all the Housing Estates that we have in Oyo state, particularly Agbowo shopping complex. The place is telling everyone of us that it needs transformation and we will transform it. His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde has pledged his commitment to assist us and we believe he’s going to assist us. I want to assure all zones of Oyo state that we are going to touch every local government areas that this corporation has an estate.”
While speaking after the tour, the former Attorney General of the state said that he’s aware of different litigation against the corporation in court. He promised to look into the issues and find lasting solution to them.
“I have been briefed that we have couple of litigation in court. You know that a corporation of this nature will not just jump into a land and begin to develop. Acquisition must be done through legal process.
“And I believe that in all places where we have such litigation. I will look into the issues and if such individual that has taken the corporation to court are willing to settle with us. We are prepared for settlement. But I can assure you that when government acquired or overide for public purpose, that stands.” he said.
