FG And State Officials, Local Residents Converge At The Commissioning Of NHP In Taraba State In Honour Of PMB   …….as Sambo names NHP Taraba ‘Muhammadu Buhari Housing Estate’ during handover and commissioning ceremony. ………. this NHP is to promote decent housing access for the people of Taraba State. – Taraba State Governor.   Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Mr.Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, Executive Governor, Taraba State Arc. Darius Dickson, Ishaku,top government officials and local residents in Jauro –Yinu Taraba State converged at the commissioning and handover ceremony of National Housing Programme in Jalingo Taraba State, as Sambo named the National Housing Programme in Jalingo, Taraba Stste Muhammadu Buhari Housing Estate on Thursday. “Today due to Mr. President’s contribution and support in ensuring that Nigerians are provided affordable and livable houses, the National Housing Programme initiative of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing was launched in 2016 through which over 6000 housing units of diverse units have been built and completed and are being commissioned across 34-states of the Federation in the first phase of the programme. These activities have created several direct and indirect jobs for teeming Nigerians where these projects are sited. It is on this note and for his contribution to National Development through the National Housing Programme that I, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo Hon. Minister of State, Works and Housing name the National Housing Project site in Jalingo , Taraba State as “ Muhammadu  Buhari Housing Estate , Jalingo,'' Sambo said.  President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented at the event by Mu'azu Jaji Sambo remarked “ Finally , I offer my appreciation to the Government and people of Taraba State for their cooperation towards the successful completion and the commissioning of a project that will help improve and promote the welfare of the people of this state.” The representative of the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji, SAN at the event Director Public Buildings and Housing ,Arc. Solomon Labafilo  said “Today in Taraba State at Welcome Gate, Wukari –Jalingo Road , Jalingo we have completed and we are handing over 80-units of houses comprising 4-units of One Bedroom , 48-units of 2 bedroom and 24-units of three bedroom bungalows.” Earlier the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr.Bashir Nura Alkali , who was represented by the Zonal Director Housing North East Federal Ministry of Works and Housing,Arc. Laminu Mamman said, "The Ministry is promoting local content in line with Executive Orders 3 and 5. The use of available local building materials in the National Housing Programme has stimulated the economy through the production and use of local materials . The overall economic value chain arising from  the housing construction activities is mostly beneficial to the Nigerians youths.” The Governor of Taraba State, His Excellency Darius Dickson Ishaku represented by Secretary to the State Government Hon. Anthony Jellason stated that the housing programme will provide decent access to housing for the people of Taraba State and the state is partnering with Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria in order to reduce housing scarcity in the state. The Emir of Muri , His Royal Highness Alhaji Abbas Njidda Tafida said, “We should always have this kind of leader that builds roads and houses. This kind of representation is what we want. We must not allow a blind man to lead us." The representative of the APC Chairman Taraba State, Hon. Umar Dahiru Doroh said the State is very delighted with the housing project.He enjoined the Federal Government to speed up the Mambilla power project in the state. Jacob Zimkei who is a builder and tiller at the National Housing Programme site ,  remarked that he  made some money for himself because he was engaged at the National Housing Programme site. He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the  National Housing Programme initiative. ...

FG Inuagurates Board And Management Team Of Federal Mortgage Bank Of Nigeria …Do not do anything that the law does not authorize - Fashola …We will work as a team to deliver on the mandate of FMBN- Madu   The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN has called on the newly inaugurated Board members and Management Team of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to comply with the law setting up the Bank, saying that as a creation of the law, members are forbidden from making the Bank do anything that the law does not authorize. The Minister gave this charge at the inauguration of the new 7- Board members and Management Team of the Federal Mortgage Bank on Thursday 21st April, 2022 in Abuja, saying that any member of the Board that deviates   from the primary functions and powers of the Board can become individually and corporately liable for noncompliance with the Law. Fashola said, “I have taken time to address the Law setting up the institution you have been appointed to administer, so as to leave you in no doubt whatsoever, as to what your mandate and purpose is.” He said that the caution on the need for  compliance to the mandate of the Bank became important because the tenure of the previous Boards and Managements did things not permitted by the Law. “This has become the important starting point for my inauguration remarks because in the tenure of previous Boards and Managements before this administration, the Bank did things the Law did not contemplate and this has resulted in hobbling liabilities which I regret to inform you that you must now confront and resolve,” he said. Speaking further, he called on the new Board and Management to bring to a lawful end all other ventures into which the Bank has dabbled into which are not supported by Law saying, “I expect this to happen through due process, supported by Legal consultations, Board debates and decisions and Ministerial or Presidential approvals as may be necessary.” He said that it was a huge privilege for them to be chosen as Board Members and Management Team of the specialized Bank that is set up to provide Mortgage Banking services to Nigerians saying that they should use the opportunity to serve their father’s land.  “It is not an opportunity for self-help but an opportunity to help others, especially to own a home, by rendering selfless service,” he charged the Board. Mr. Fashola listed the functions of the Bank as encapsulated by the Law to include amongst others: to provide long-time credit facilities to mortgage institutions in Nigeria at such rates and such terms as may be determined by the Board in accordance with the policy of Federal Government. Also, the Bank is to encourage and promote the development of mortgage institutions at rural, local, state and Federal Levels. Also speaking on the powers of the Mortgage Bank, he said it can accept deposits and savings from mortgage institutions and other institutional depositors and establish a sinking fund for the redemption of securities by the Mortgage Bank and provide for contributions by it to the sinking fund amongst others. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Bashir Alkali thanked Mr. President for graciously approving the re-constitution of the new Board and Management of the Bank following the expiration of the tenure of the former Board. The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engineer Chukwunwike Uzo said that the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria is a critical Agency of Government under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing with the mandate to provide long term credit facilities to mortgage institutions in Nigeria and to encourage and promote the development of mortgage institutions at the rural, local, State and Federal levels. In his remarks, the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Gbeleyi Ariyo lauded Federal Government for reconstituting the Board and Management of the  Mortgage Bank saying the impact the Bank plays in national and economic development was very crucial. He expressed optimism of meeting up with the huge expectation from Government considering the capacity of members of proven track records of integrity and performance pointing out that members are drawn from Banking sector, diverse ethnicity and gender, he promised not to fail in their responsibilities. On behalf of other members of the Mortgage Bank Board and the Management Team, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive of the Bank, Mr. Hamman Madu thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for appointing them into the exalted position of Nigeria’s apex Mortgage Institution.“I thank Mr. President, the Honourable Minister, the Minister of State and the Permanent Secretary for finding us worthy to be appointed on the Board and the Management Team. We are humble and excited to be chosen and to undertake the responsibility,” he said. According to Madu, housing is one of the basic human needs and to access housing finance is a critical ingredient in achieving the housing needs of all Nigerians. He promised on behalf of the Executive Management Team and Board to work harmoniously to reposition the Bank to deliver on its core mandate. ...

National Housing Programme: We Invest in Housing Infrastructure to Improve Quality of Life - Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that his administration embarked on massive housing infrastructure across the country in order to improve the quality of life of the citizens. Buhari said this in Dutse, Jigawa State when he commissioned 76 housing units in the state under the National Housing Programne, Thursday 14 April, 2022. The President was represented at the occasion by the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleman Hussain Adamu. He said his administration could not meet every Nigerian in person but the economic policies and investment in infrastructure of his government will positively impact on the generality of people. “Our desire and commitment towards 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. The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr.Babatunde Raji Fashola,SAN who was represented at the event by Mr. Mu'azu Jaji Sambo  the Minister of State for Works and Housing, said there were many things to be said about the project,  from its design to economic and social impact on the community. Fashola said the project was the outcome of a national survey conducted by the Ministry of Works and Housing to find out the type of houses Nigerians desired, saying that the survey revealed the need for space such that one -bedroom units have 60-70sq metres, two-bedroom units of 76-103sq metres and three-bedroom units 110-137sq mtres. “These are extremely generous spaces compared to what is commonly available in the market,” he said. In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr. Bashir Nura Alkali, said that the national housing project was part of developmental agenda of the Buhari administration aimed at bridging the housing deficit gap in the country. Mr. Alkali, who was represented at the event by Builder Emmanuel Hengieor, the Zonal Director (Housing) North West in the ministry said the aim was to provide acceptable and affordable houses to Nigerians nationwide. He disclosed that 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 were created nationwide. He said, “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 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The Governor of Jigawa State, Mr.  Muhammad Badaru who was represented by his deputy, Mallam Umar Namadi, expressed joy that the housing project was a product of the developmental change agenda of the Buhari administration. Accordingly, the Governor disclosed that Jigawa State Government in its efforts to provide affordable houses for its citizens allocated 125 hectares of land for the construction of 40 units of houses for the citizens. The commissioned 76 housing units in Jigawa State consists of 48 units of 2-bedroom bungalow, 24 units of 3-bedroom bungalow and 4 units of 1 bedroom bungalow. In his goodwill message, the Emir of Dutse, His Royal Highness, Dr. Muhammadu Nuhu Sanusi, said he was satisfied with the project and commended the efforts put in place by the Federal Government in reducing housing deficit in Nigeria. The Emir who was represented by the Wanban Dutse, Alhaji Mustapha Aminu, urged the Federal Government to do more in the housing sector by providing affordable houses particularly to the less privileged people. While speaking, the Head of the Burtilan community where the project was situated, Mallam Ahmed Garba, said he was overwhelmed with joy over the project, saying that the project has helped in improving the economic activities in his community. " The project has really helped my community because it provided opportunities for my people to work and get some money to take good care of their families and it has also brought development to the domain," he said. An artisan (head of carpentry), Mallam Abdulkareem Abdullahi, applauded the Federal Government for the project, stating that the housing projects took him to five states across the nation to handle similar carpentry job in the same federal government housing projects and he was able to tutor over forty workers in the carpentry work under him and they can now stand on their own. Mallam Abdullah further revealed that, through the projects, he was able to acquire many properties and trained his seven children up to secondary school, calling on the government to continue with such efforts so that other people like him could get the same opportunity. ...