The over 200 qualified applicants of the Ogun State Government housing scheme Phase 111, named Prince Court Estate along Kobape have again rejected the proviso to add the sum of three million five hundred thousand (₦3,500,000) naira to the five million five hundred thousand naira (₦5, 500,000) earlier paid since 2021.
The aggrieved subscribers/applicants wondered how and where would they get such amount of from within 60 days given the current precarious economic situation, even if it was even legitimate in the first instance.
The rejection which was contained in a statement signed by, Mr Olumuyiwa Oludaisi and made available to The Daily Crucible on Thursday evening, July 4.
In the statement, Oludaisi urged the Dapo Abiodun led government to stop playing game of tricks on the innocent applicants, who forth tooth and nail to pay the stipulated amount the government charged in 2020/2021.
He described such act as inconsistent, irresponsible, inappropriate and unacceptable.
He added that the reaction was coming on the heels of a letter dated July 1st (Monday), 2024 as signed by the commissioner for Housing, Jagunmolu Akande Omoniyi, who was fronting for the government and demanding that the sum of three million five hundred thousand (₦3,500,000) naira will be added within 60 days as contribution for provision of infrastructural facilities in the estate failure which the subscribers stand the risk of forfeiting the allocation.
The good people of Ogun State will recall the recent paper publications and radio programs regarding the shift in position of the government in not willing to allocate the phase 111 houses to legitimate subscribers of 235 names published sometimes in 2022.
In that radio program on Fresh FM 107.9 with Alawiye on ‘Oju Awo,’ held on 25th June 2024 by 5:00pm, Oludaisi made it known that the plan of the government was not to release the houses to legitimate subscribers who had fully paid from their purses or who accessed loans from Gateway Mortgage Bank whereas the bank had paid the government through Ministry of Housing under which Jangunmolu Omoniyi is working for and not serving the people.
Oludaisi reiterated that the ploy is to re-sell to highest bidder and not willing anymore to allocate to old subscribers, it is now surely clear that this is a case of ‘the witch cried yesterday, the child dies today.’
He said the government must be responsible and stop playing politics on innocent subscribers.
“What Ogun State people believe is that government is sure source to buy land and houses from as it is far not to be compared with so called :Omo-onile’ in this matter, what subscribers believe is what belong to Caesar must be given Caesar without unfounded condition.
“The government must desist from their decision either to sell or give the houses to their cronies who are not qualified and are far more than occupying such low cost scheme,” he stated.
Continuing, he added: “The 235 applicants are surprised to see what the Dapo Abiodun led government called ‘a proviso’ to add the sum of three million five hundred thousand (₦3,500, 000) within 60 days as contribution for provision of infrastructural facilities in the estate failure of which the allocation would be forfeited? (What a game and wicked statement?) was this ever part of our agreement in 2021?
“The agreement was to buy forms for the allocations for five thousand naira (₦5,000) with each house costing five million five hundred thousand naira only (₦5,500,000) and a rebate for retired civil servants who were asked to pay four million nine hundred and fifty thousand naira only (₦4,950,000) which were duly paid for in year 2020 and 2021 respectively.
“The agreement was to give us 2 bungalow semi-detached shell house to be roofed, plastered outside with external casement windows, entrance and exit doors, painted outside with grey color and with basic infrastructure facilities exactly as allocated to both phase 1 and 2.
“Having fulfilled our own part of the bargain by duly paying fully in 2021, we were not responsible for the delay in either allocation or hike in price of building materials as tactically and cunningly put by government of Ogun State through her commissioner of housing . Thus, It is quite clear that government’s abandonment, delay and non allocation on time caused the price variation, the reason the Dapo Abiodun led Administration must take responsibility for its failure to meet their side of the bargain.
“Since all applicants paid at the same time and we were divided into 3 phases (based on criteria known to them), while 2 phases had been given shelter with basic facilities, why is all of us in this 3rd category being exempted for this kind of punishment, cheating and arm twisting? We decry such increment in all forms and we are not ready to add any more money. Some of us paying to the Gateway Mortgage Bank are paying with interests from the loan we took to upset the ₦5.5 million.
“While we thank Governor Dapo in letting the good mind of the creator of heaven and earth rule him at this crucial time, we humbly urge him to remove the purported additional 3.5 million naira he and his government decided to add to phase 111 subscribers as we reject such payment which was never part of our agreement. He must remember that his name would either be written in gold or mud depending on his act. What legacy is he leaving behind? How can a low-cost housing for citizens turn to such fraudulent practice?
“We once again wish to set the records straight and let the Dapo Abiodun led government in Ogun state and the ministry of Housing be aware that we vehemently reject the 3.5million addition in the Prince Court Estate, it is a breach of trust after meeting our side of the bargain. It should be noted that the transaction in itself is a concluded deal, since about 3 years ago.
Information has it that the commissioner in the ministry is behind the mess as he is the one assuring the governor that nothing would happen, thus the house of Assembly should summon him.
“After using our money to build, any increment from 5.5 million naira to 9 million naira as stated by the ministry for housing or refund at this time would amount to fraud, arm twisting and cheating and this in no small measure would reduce the confidence and trust in the government of Ogun State.
“We are calling on well spirited Nigerians, activists, the media and other stakeholders to come to our aid and save us from this daylight robbery.”
