Obafemi Hamzat, the Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, announced that his administration plans to roll out 34,000 compressed natural gas buses and broaden housing access via a structured mortgage scheme.
Hamzat disclosed this during the Lagos State governorship debate organised by TVC in partnership with Channels Television, Punch, Vanguard and TheCable newspapers.
He said the state’s response to the economic challenges facing Nigerians must include investments in housing, agriculture and transportation.
The APC candidate said Lagos needed an integrated transportation system that connects rail, road and water routes to move commuters across the state more efficiently.
He said his administration would prioritise the completion and expansion of existing rail infrastructure, including the Red Line, while developing water transportation to complement road and rail services.
Hamzat also said the APC manifesto included plans to introduce 34,000 new CNG buses to improve mass transportation.
On housing, he said the Lagos State Government had delivered 18,000 housing units over the last eight years, while several estates remained under construction.
He listed Ibeju Housing Estate, with 2,700 units, as well as projects at Ajara in Badagry and other locations, saying the priority was to complete ongoing developments and make the houses affordable.
The deputy governor proposed a mortgage arrangement that would allow residents to pay for houses over an extended period rather than having to raise the full purchase price at once.
“Our plan is to make sure that we don’t buy houses the way we buy gas and rice. That is to make sure that we have mortgages, 10% down payment, 25-year payment, and so that people can pay overtime,” he said.
Hamzat said the arrangement would make homeownership more accessible to residents who could not afford to pay for houses outright.
What You Should Know
During a recent Lagos State governorship debate, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat outlined major campaign promises focusing on public mass transit and affordable housing solutions for residents.
- Positive Impact: The massive introduction of CNG buses aims to ease public transportation challenges and lower commuting costs, while the 25-year mortgage plan with a 10% down payment makes buying a home much more achievable for everyday families.
- Potential Concerns: The successful delivery of tens of thousands of buses and extensive housing estates depends heavily on consistent government execution, infrastructure readiness, and long-term economic stability.
