53 Ondo government dilapidated quarters to make way for high rise apartments in Akure
By Julius Alabi, Akure
The Ondo State government has decided to redevelop Alagbaka Government Staff Quarters in Akure, the state capital.
Buildings in these quarters were earlier found to be old and dilapidated and many have been declared as dangerous for habitation.
Although, there have been an uproar as government served quit notice to residents of the quarters to enable commencement of the redevelopment.
They accused the state government of planning to sell plots at the quarter to private developers who will construct buildings and lease out to interested Occupants.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Ayorinde Olawale while reacting to the allegation noted that the project was part of the state government plan to give the state capital a facelift.
According to him, Alagbaka Staff Quarters which consisting of 69 bungalows of 53 residential units and 16 office units, was developed over 30 years ago and currently sits on 31.3 hectares, equivalent to approximately 481 standard land plots.
He went on: “The recent uproar surrounding the proposed redevelopment of the Alagbaka Government Staff Quarters in Akure has been marked by half-truths, misinformation, and mischievous rhetoric aimed at discrediting a forward-thinking initiative of the Ondo State Government.
“As the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Lands, and Housing, I deemed it necessary to clarify the facts and reaffirm the administration’s unwavering commitment to responsible urban renewal in line with global best practices and Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s sustainable infrastructure development agenda.
“Over the years, these structures have suffered neglect, with no significant renovation or infrastructural upgrade. The structures are now largely substandard, unsafe, and unsuitable for modern habitation.
“What this administration envisions is not just reconstruction, but a holistic transformation into a modern urban housing estate that reflects the aspirations of a 21st-century Ondo State.
“Contrary to the baseless propaganda being circulated by a few individuals, the Aiyedatiwa administration is not engaged in land grabbing. This project is a strategic component of the state’s Urban Regeneration and Infrastructure Optimization Plan.
“The current occupants, many of whom the quarters have been sublet to by the supposed valid occupants at exorbitant rates, represent less than one percent of the state’s workforce. The government is engaging labour leaders to ensure that those who will be affected are taken care of.
“The claim that government is rendering civil servants homeless is, therefore, a deliberate falsehood designed to stoke public sentiment against a project that is clearly in the best interest of the people.
“The mandate given to the Office of the Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Lands, and Housing is clear: deliver sustainable, inclusive, and modern infrastructure that uplifts the quality of life in Ondo State.
“Under the “Our Ease” development framework, this administration is prioritizing safety, structural integrity, environmental sustainability, and aesthetic value in all infrastructure projects.
“The redevelopment of the Alagbaka Housing Units will stand as a legacy project, free from political manipulation, rooted in transparency, and executed with professional excellence.
“It is a bold statement that Ondo State is ready for true urban transformation, and no amount of distraction will derail that vision”, he added
