Taiwo Ogunniyi
Harmony Estate Resident Association Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria has called the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria to
assign a new Developer/ Contractor to complete infrastructure works and the remaining 220 buildings for the citizens.
Speaking at the inauguration of the estate association adhoc units in Ilorin Kwara State, the Caretaker Chairman Babaijo Otepola said “The clarion call was to galvanize the Federal Mortgage Bank Nigeria FMBN Abuja management to complete the estate since 2008”
“2008. Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria FMBN Abuja, Kwara State Government, and Developer/ Contractor ( Delrot Nig Ltd, Chief Bode Afolayan), had PPP agreement for a middle income level housing estate, Phase 1 and 2(500 units of 2 and 3 bedroom bungalows )
10years down, the housing projects Refused to reach completion level.
2016, Resident Association leaders petition the Minister of Housing Babatunde Fashola, SAN who then authorized investigation, and later re awarded project to a new contractor.
2021, the 2nd contractor QH Multi Concept Ltd, Mr Tunde Babatunde was Challenged by the bank to have abandoned the contractual agreement. This is 2023 the estate members are worst for it. We are experiencing deplorable roads network, gullie erosion, delapitating buildings collapsing, invasion of armed robbers, no treated water, no hospital, recreational space, and parameter fences.” He said
Otepola who expressed gratitude to the entire residents of the estate for the renewed opportunity to serve another two years as Caretaker Chairman (Emeritus) after the initial five years which ended two years ago, pledged to justify the confidence repose in him.
The residents also stressed the need for central borehole in the estate to be revived added that the reservoir should be repaired to reduce the need for multiple boreholes to be drilled at individual homes, to guard against associated environmental damage
The residents also propose conversion of an uncompleted building within the Estate to a clinic
“Royalties collected from the construction of shops along the main roads, meant for perimeter fences, waste collection, and road maintenance with heavy trucks, should be directed into the estate’s funds and used for further development purposes.” They submitted
Harmony Estate Resident Association
Board of Trustees Chairman Mr Ustaz Oloyin said the decision to select Babaijo Otepola as the Caretaker Chairman was informed by his track records
“Residents who have outstanding mortgage debt should commence payments and maintain a consistent payment schedule, It is crucial not to underestimate the leniency shown by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria FMBN manager towards mortgage defaults.” He said
In his remark, the Federal Mortgage Bank Manager Mr Nurudeen Ali Muhammed submitted that the residents made the right decision regarding the selection of Babaijo Otepola, considering the strides achieved in his previous reins.
He said “stricter actions await defaulters of mortgage debts, as opposed to the originally suggested 7-year duration, a 2 or 3-year period may likely be approved for debt repayment.
The FMBN manager in the company of members conducted a tour of the estate to identify its boundaries to install perimeter fences.
“Temporary notice should be placed on the boundary between the estate and the block industry located along the main road to prevent any encroachments.” He said.