Lagos set to digitise housing delivery process

By Dada Jackson

Lagos State Government has unveiled plans to digitise two core departments in the Ministry of Housing to fast-track data processing for increased efficiency and reduce inconveniences being faced by prospective allotees and investors.

Speaking on the progress made by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration in the housing sector, the state’s Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, who disclosed this, said that the departments concerned are the Estate Department which has the responsibility of processing applications for home ownership as well as the Physical Planning and Survey Department which is vested with the duty of interfacing with prospective joint venture partners.

His words: “The automation of the work processes of the Ministry is starting with these two departments because of their pivotal roles in the process of housing delivery, adding that both departments interact with the public either in handling applications for home or managing enquiries from private developers and investors who may be interested in partnering with the State.

He said, “It is our belief that the digitization process will bring conveniences to all as information can be accessed and exchanged between the Ministry and its public at all times.”

The Commissioner explained that the digitization will also bring about improved productivity and real time data processing since the documents of all prospective allotees and investors can be verified on-line.

He pointed out, that the digitization process will not only help to fast track processing of documents but also aid data collection, promote greater resource management as well as protect archival documents for future references.

Akinderu-Fatai, who described the digitalization as a necessary development, said it is in response to global trends of increasing system proficiency and ease in work processes.

According to him in order to ,achieve the SMART City project, there is need to embrace global best practices automation of the data base, insisting that the innovation was borne out of the need for digital transformation, which  he described  as necessity for all businesses.

He recalled that the governor, during the commissioning of Abiodun Ogunleye Estate in Igbogbo, promised that affordable housing to low income earner would be one of the priorities of this present administration.

He said that the governor also promised that more homes are ready for delivery before the 3rd anniversary of this administration and advised intending applicants to obtain their forms through the legitimate avenue as the Ministry does not assign any third party to transact on its behalf.

The Permanent Secretary, Wasiu Akewusola, urged the development partners and other investors to step forward to collaborate with Lagos State government in development of housing sector, adding that all encumbrances impeding delivery of affordable housing have been eradicated with the automation of the system.