A group of over 200 applicants involved in Ogun State’s housing scheme at Prince Court Estate, Kobape, Abeokuta, have expressed vehement opposition to a proposed 300% increase in payments for their allocated houses.
These applicants, who completed their payments between 2021 and 2022, are yet to receive allocations despite fulfilling financial obligations to Gateway Mortgage Bank.
Adeyemi Aremu, speaking on behalf of the applicants, criticized the delay in allocation and rejected the government’s justification for the proposed increase. The Commissioner for Housing, Jagunmolu Jamiu Omoniyi, attributed the situation to “galloping inflation,” which he claimed had necessitated the adjustment of house prices from the initial N5.5 million to N20 million.
In response, Aremu highlighted that the applicants had already paid as agreed upon several years ago and insisted that the government should fulfill its part of the bargain without additional financial demands. He emphasized that the delay in allocation was solely the government’s responsibility and called for swift action to resolve the matter.
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The applicants urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene and ensure prompt allocation of the houses as initially agreed, describing any attempt to increase prices or offer refunds at this stage as fraudulent and unfair. They appealed to stakeholders, including Gateway Mortgage Bank, to protect their interests and uphold the integrity of the housing scheme.
The group also called upon the public, activists, and media to support their cause against what they termed “daylight robbery” by the state government, stressing their commitment to receiving the houses they paid for without further delay.