President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday inaugurated 68 housing units in Idumwen-Ehigie, along the Benin-Auchi road, under the National Housing Programme (NHP) phase 1 in Edo.
Inaugurating the project in Benin, Buhari said the housing units provided government the opportunity to redeem the pledge made to the Super Eagles for winning the 1994 African cup of Nations, which had remained unfulfilled.
Represented by the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, Buhari said he is proud and privileged to redeem the promise Nigeria made to the Super Eagles even if it is belated.
“I have approved allocation to redeem the outstanding allocation to 22 members of the Super Eagles in the national housing estate located in their states.
“Their keys and documents will be handed over at the commissioning in their various states while the remainder of the housing is allocated to willing members of the public.
He explained that in states where the housing estate haves been completed, government has issued maintenance contract to small businesses to ensure that the estates are maintained
He commended Gov. Godwin Obaseki for providing the land, adding that the project would improve and promote the welfare of the people.
Also speaking, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said the federal government, through the Ministry, had delivered housing estate projects to 34 states with the support of the state governors who provided the land.
Fashola was represented by the Director of Works in the ministry, Solomon Lapafiao.
“Today in Edo State, along the Benin-Auchi Road, we have completed and we are handing over 68 units of Housing.
“They comprised of 24-units in condominium (1 bedroom-4, 2bedroom-16, 3 bedroom-4), 28-units 2Bedroom and 16-units 3Bedroom bungalows,” Fashola said.
The Minister noted that over 1,200 building contractors were engaged under phases one, two and three of the programme since inception in 2016, and in the process created 14,500 and 50,140 direct and indirect jobs respectively.
“During this period, the ministry is undertaking the construction of over 6,000 housing units in 45 sites, out of which 2,465 units have been completed in 35 state and the FCT,” he added.
In his remarks, Gov. Obaseki thanked the federal government for the laudable project.
Obaseki said “while considering the gains of this projects, it’s pertinent to note and underscore the need to develop other aspects of the housing industry that will help us move faster.
“One of them is mortgages. Except we introduce realistic and affordable mortgage arrangement, we will not be able to develop housing as we want to.
“For us in Edo, we are very committed to housing projects. As we speak, we have about four projects which we are working on,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Aris Thompson Oliha, collected the house keys and documents on behalf of her late husband and Super Eagle player, Thompson Oliha.
She thanked the federal government for redeeming the promise made 28 years ago.
76 housing units in Dutse
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday inaugurated 76 housing units in Dutse, Jigawa state, worth N463.6 million.
The President, represented by the Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, handed over the completed houses for possible allocation to beneficiaries in Dutse.
Buhari said his administration could not meet the needs of every Nigerian, saying, however, that the economic policies and investment in infrastructure of his government will positively impact on the generality of people.
“Our desire and commitment toward improving the human condition and our message of change, have another facet beyond job creation.
“It is in response to those who have long aspired to own homes, and that dream has come true with this project,” he said.
Earlier, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said there “from its design to economic and social impact on the community, this project is the outcome of a national survey conducted by the ministry to find out the type of houses Nigerians desire.
“The survey also revealed the need for space such that our houses have one-bedroom units of 60-70 sq metres, two-bedroom units of 76-103 sq metres and three-bedroom units 110-137sq metres.
“These are extremely generous spaces compared to what is commonly available in the market,” said Fashola, represented by Minister of state for Works and Housing, Ma’azu Sambo.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr Bashir Alkali, said that the project is part of President Buhari’s developmental agenda aimed at bridging the housing deficit in the country.
Alkali, who was represented by Mr Emmanuel Hangeore, Zonal Director (Housing), North West, said the aim is to provide acceptable and affordable houses nationwide.
The permanent secretary said over 1,200 building contractors have been engaged under phases I, II and III of the programme since its inspection in 2016 and more than 14,500 and 50,140 direct and indirect jobs created nationwide.
“During this period, the ministry built 2,465 housing units in 35 states and the FCT, from the over 6,000 housing units earmarked for 45 sites,” Alkali said.
Also speaking, Gov. Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa, represented by his deputy, Alhaji Umar Namadi, said his administration has also allocated 125 hectares of land for the construction of 40 units of houses in line with the Federal Government policy of providing affordable houses for all.
The governor, however, appeal to the beneficiaries to utilise the facility effectively.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the housing project is under the National Housing Programme (NHP), PHASE 1 in Jigawa, which consists of 67 housing units, road, infrastructure, water provision and electricity connection.
NAN report that out of the 67 houses, there were 48 units of 2-bedroom bungalow, 24 units of 3 bedroom bungalow and 4 units of 1 bedroom bungalow.
