Oyo, UPDC partner to transform govt. quarters into luxury apartments, targets N2.5b revenue

The Oyo State Government has gone into partnership with UPDC Plc, a subsidiary of UAC Nigeria for the re-development of existing government residential quarters in Ibadan to luxurious apartments under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement.

Under the arrangement, a total of 45 housing units in Quarters 790, 791, 792 and 793, covering a total area of approximately 2.035 hectares along Oba Biladu III Road, Agodi GRA, will be developed in two phases.

While the first phase of the project, which has been approved by the State Executive Council, consists of 26 housing units, the second phase will cover 19 units, with the whole project slated for completion in 12 months.

It would be recalled that a total of 219 housing units belonging to the state government had been sold to private individuals by the immediate past administration of Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala.

The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Taiwo Otegbeye told newsmen in Ibadan at the week-end that the project, with the estimated revenue put at N2.535 billion, was in line with the transformation agenda of the Senator Abiola Ajimobi administration in the state.

He added that other GRAs across the state would also be re-developed after the completion of the two phases of the project.

The commissioner said that each apartment would be equipped with modern facilities such as fire detection and fire fighting equipment, imported fully-fitted kitchens, fire and burglary alarm system, digital satellite TV system, external CCTV system, luxury sanitary wares, en-suite rooms, marble floors and decently paved walkways and green blended area among others.

The commissioner also said that the state government had amended the State Road Traffic Management Authority Law 2009 to include the establishment of a Director of Motor Vehicle Administration, adding that henceforth, regular magistrate court would be designated to try traffic offenders in the state.

With this development, he said that the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) would be operating under the state Ministry of Special Duties as against the Ministry of Works under which it had hitherto been operating.

Otegbeye also disclosed that Governor Ajimobi had approved the installation of solar-powered street light and traffic light along the Agodi Gate-Parliament Road Junction.