The face of housing/property development in Oyo state especially IBADAN would not remain the same as two private estate development companies have decided to take up the challenge. BAYO AGBOOLA reports.
Aside food and cloth, shelter, no doubt, remains one of the major essentials of life which every human being strive to attain.
This apparently explains the recent shift in the attention of Odu’a Investment company to this key area in its bid to sustain its hold and prime in the entire South-west part of Nigeria.
The collaboration
Odu’a Investment is at it again in its effort towards repositioning and placing the owner states in its rightful place when it comes to the much-needed development. No wonder the conglomerate Odu’a Investment and a UK firm Chapter 4 are at it again in lifting property face development in Ibadan with the on-going 246 household at Alakia area of Ibadan in Oyo state.
In showcasing the property face-lifting, a media tour of the estate was put up for selected media practitioners on Tuesday December 15 for an on-the-spot assessment of the estate known as Westlink Estate Villa situated along the ever-busy Ile Ife – Ibadan Expressway at Alakia area of the city.
Going by presentation by Chapter 4 COO, Mr Sikiru Apologun during the media tour, it was glaring that the estate project, though on- going, has come to stay and would surely provide succour to many that can afford it in the area of having befitting shelter, as according to him, “The estate’s L- shape lay out has been maximised by orientating the buildings to take full advantage of day light and all year round wind direction.”
Details spelt out
According to the COO of Chapter 4, the estate is to among other things have shared-facilities such as play ground and sports facilities and a community centre, stressing that, “It has been carefully designed for the exclusive use of residents and authorised visitors living in the estate. It is also designed with features like an indoor swimming pool, modern fully equipped gym, a multipurpose events hall, creche, multi faith prayer halls and a first aid room managed by a qualified first aider.”
On the planned commercial complex portion of the estate, Mr Apologun added that the commercial complex is a collection of 36 large shops and offices with sizes ranging from 50 – 65sqm and that the complex provides flexible business spaces for clinics, pharmacy, supermarket, bank, restaurant, business offices, hair/beauty salon and many more.
According to Apologun, “The complex also acts as a calming barrier for the estate against the effect of the busy world outside the estate.”
Media briefing
Briefing the visiting newsmen on the estate, a joint venture of Chapter IV Estate Management limited and Odu’a Investment limited, director of public relations/corporate affairs, Abiola Reis, assured that the 124 household in single estate would emerge in the next couple of years, saying, “As we take a tour of the on going project to picture how it would emerge in the next couple of years, you will all agree with me that we do not compromise quality as we have been able to put up a modest development.
“Westlink Iconic Estate upon completion would have the following 8 five bedroom fully detached duplexes, 8 five bedroom semi detached duplexes, 6 four bedroom semi detached duplexes, 40 four bedroom terraced duplexes, 60 three bedroom apartments. 58 units of commercial outlets, a utility centre that would provide 24 hours electricity and a centralised treated water,” she said.
Mrs Reis added, “We still stand on our promise to deliver this Iconic estate by March 2022. We also promise to deliver this estates in line with the top quality by industry standard. We also promise high quality maintenance of the estate to preserve its character. We also promise to continue to pursue the delivery of our affordable housing agenda until an average working Nigerian can own their own house.
“There are 124 carefully designed residential units which are served by a utility building, single manned entrance gate, aesthetically furnished community centre and a 36 unit commercial complex. There is provision of 24 hour electricity supply and high pressure treated pipe borne water plus centralised sewage system,” she noted.
Odu’a GMD explains further
The group managing director of Odu’a Investment Company, Mr Adewale Raji, while speaking during the media tour said the turning of the estate’s SOD was performed 14 months ago, precisely on September 26, 2019 on a 6 hectares land owned by Odu’a Investment and that since that day, construction work has not stopped at the site which he said shows the commitment and determination of Odu’a Investment and Westlink Iconic Estates limited.
According to the Odu’a GMD, the 124 household single estate will be the first of its type in Ibadan. “We have a responsibility to partake in lifting up the economy of each of the shareholder states. But we should not be taking emotional decisions but business decisions. What I mean by that is that in the hinterland of Yoruba region where land is accessible, building a house is not an attractive venture because people can get the land and build at their own pace, but areas where there is shortage of land are areas that are appealing for business.
That is why Lagos and Ibadan would feature highly in terms of property development.
“Whereas you see Oyo and Lagos looking attractive in terms of investment into property, in other Odua states, we are looking at agriculture and processing because they have arable land and their climate is good. There is no competition between property development and farmlands in the South-West”.
If the 2022 completion date of the estate is strictly adhered to by the parties involved in the joint venture, it is certain that the coming into existence of such a magnificent estate will go a long way in boosting the economy of the area, Ibadan and Oyo state in general.
