Housing Ministry Director Showcases Innovations for Housing Construction    * minister applauds effort, encourages further research, comparison for possible modification, improvement.   * requests comprehensive report on how to use bricks construction for Social Housing Programme.   Arc. Ibechile Christopher Egwudale, the Director and Head of Department of Federal Public Assets Maintenance (FPAM), in the Housing Ministry, has showcased a variety of inventions/ machines that will bring about cost effectiveness in housing construction.   Egwudale made the presentation to the Honourable Minister,  Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa and the management staff of the Ministry, led by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, explaining that, the innovations will minimize construction cost for affordable housing.   The innovative machines include both manual and semi-automated models, designed for scalability, ease of use, and durability.   Among the notable machines were; a wide range of construction and agro-processing equipment such as interlocking Compressed Earth Block (CEB) machines (both manual and automated), pulverizing and sifting machines, compacting and hoisting devices, sandcrete mixers, mini-tractors, ogbono seed cutters, and food processing machines like the hammer mill, de-stoner, and mixers.     "This innovation supports the use of locally sourced materials, reducing dependence on expensive imported products and minimizing construction cost especially for affordable housing" he stated.    He further explained that, the idea behind the development is to create a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and efficient alternative to conventional building materials by utilizing Compressed Earth Block (CEB) technology.   "Their application in the housing sector will not only promote sustainable construction practices but also generate local employment, empower artisans, and accelerate project delivery timelines across rural and urban areas", he  remarked.   In his remarks, the Minister applauded the effort of the Director for bringing innovative ideas in designing different machines for bricks housing construction.    While encouraging the Director to carry out further research and make comparison to see areas of modification and improvement, Dangiwa also requested him to come up with extensive and comprehensive report on how to use bricks construction for Social Housing Programme.   On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Belgore applauded the efforts of the Director for coming up with the innovative ideas, and encouraged him to continue to strive towards achieving the desired objectives to get affordable social housing. He requested him to bring up the designs of the bricks housing units to the ministry for assessment.   Arc. Egwudale, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Architects and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria, had a specialized training in Compressed Earth Block (CEB) Technology in South Africa.   Since joining the Federal Civil Service, he has distinguished himself through innovative design and technological advancement. He has championed several high-impact projects and won multiple design competitions within the Ministry.   He notably designed and produced four machines for the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), and has won the Best New Entrant Award at Archi-Built Exhibition where he attracted the highest visitor traffic to his stand.   Egwudale has participated in numerous exhibitions, including the Abuja Housing Show, and the Science and Technology Expositions where he showcased a variety of inventions including a go-kart (buggy) and various machines.    ...

Housing Ministry Honours Dr. Kogbe for Outstanding Performance   Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has named Dr. Bamidele Ibrahim Kogbe, Ministry's staff of the year 2025 for outstanding performance.   Dr Kogbe has also recently emerged among the winners of the prestigious Head of the Civil Service of the Federation EPIC Culture Award.   Speaking at a reception organized by the Ministry in honour of Dr. Kogbe, Arc. Dangiwa expressed delight for the staff  recognition, noting that the award reflects the Ministry’s commitment to excellence and service delivery, also adding that Dr. Kogbe’s outstanding performance and dedication to duty was deserving of the honour.   While applauding Dr. Kogbe’s dedication to duty, describing him as a model public servant who has demonstrated that hard work and diligence are rewarding virtues, Dangiwa encouraged other staff to emulate Dr. Kogbe's exemplary conduct and strive for similar distinctions.   He noted that Dr. Kogbe has proven that commitment to service, excellence, and integrity yields commendable results, wishing him more recognitions both nationally and internationally.    Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, lauded Dr. Kogbe for exemplifying the values encapsulated in the EPIC framework - Efficiency, Productivity, Incorruptibility, and Citizen-Centeredness.    He urged all staff to replicate such commitment in their work and to foster a positive organizational culture.   “No matter your role, every staff member is relevant and should be appreciated. Let your work speak for you,” Dr. Belgore stated.   Belgore further charged staff to adopt positive attitudes, promote a culture of excellence, and remain consistent and prayerful in the pursuit of personal and professional growth.   ...

Housing Ministry Committed to Leading Performance Driven Ministry - Dangiwa   * Holds Ministerial Retreat on PMS, Performance Contract Signing   * Retreat a renewed determination to deliver meaningful results - Dangiwa   A 2- day ministerial retreat on Performance Management System (PMS) and official signing of the 2025 Performance Contracts for the Directors and Heads of Units of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development was held on the 3rd and 4th July, 2025 at Sandralia Hotel, Jabi, Abuja.   The theme for the rereat is “Accelerating Service Delivery through Performance Contracting and Strategic Alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda.”   Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, who declared open the retreat, said he was committed to leading a performance-driven Ministry that is focused on delivering real value to Nigerians, as he  described the gathering as a strategic leadership forum and not just a routine administrative exercise.    He stated that it was a crucial opportunity to align the Ministry’s leadership with its core mandate of translating policies into measurable outcomes, in line with the bold vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.   Dangiwa also emphasized the central role of the Ministry in the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which envisions dignity, opportunity, prosperity, and decent shelter for all Nigerians, stressing that housing development, land reforms, urban planning, and regulatory innovation are essential instruments to achieve these goals.   The Minister reaffirmed the importance of performance management in the current context of heightened public expectations and Presidential oversight, pointing out that the Presidential Performance Bond signed by all Ministers was a binding commitment to the Nigerian people, monitored through scorecards and dashboards developed by the Central Delivery Coordinating Unit (CDCU).   He urged for full Implementation of a Results-Based Performance Management System (PMS), “Every department and officer is expected to align with KPIs and accountability frameworks that support the Ministry’s deliverables”, he said.   Arc. Dangiwa highlighted some of the 2025 deliverables of the Ministry which includes: Construction of 20,000 Affordable Housing Units Nationwide, which is a flagship deliverable under the Renewed Hope Housing Programme to stimulate job creation, improve livelihoods, and contribute to national economic growth; and development of Fiscal Incentives for Local Production of Building Materials to reduce construction costs and promote self-reliance, saying that the Ministry will incentivize local production of essential housing components such as cement, roofing materials, and sanitary fittings.   Another deliverable is the expansion of the National Land Registration and Documentation Programme (NLRDP), in partnership with state governments, saying that the Ministry will intensify efforts to digitize land records and promote secure land tenure for investment.   Dangiwa also acknowledged the technical support of the Central Delivery Coordinating Unit (CDCU) and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), for their roles in performance tracking and institutionalizing PMS across the civil service.   "Let this Retreat be remembered not for the contracts signed, but for the renewed determination to deliver meaningful results,” He added.   In his keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, said that the Ministry is committed to institutionalizing the Performance Management System (PMS), as a tool for accountability, transparency, and results-oriented governance.   He said "The Performance Management System is now a mandatory component of public service delivery, as enshrined in the 2021 Revised Public Service Rules. It is essential for driving institutional effectiveness, identifying capacity gaps, and ensuring every officer contributes meaningfully to the nation’s development goals,”   Belgore explained that the retreat underscores the Ministry’s resolve to deepen institutional reforms and accelerate service delivery in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and also a crucial step in aligning the Ministry’s deliverables with the presidential priorities under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the National Development Plan(2021-2025), and service -wide mandate from the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).   He recalled the success of the maiden retreat held in 2024, which led to the identification of key performance areas, as well as the signing of performance contracts across the Ministry, and commended the dedication of directors and department heads in fulfilling that mandate.   Dr. Belgore charged all directors to provide clear leadership, champion transparency, leverage digital tools, and use PMS outcomes to inform decisions on promotions, capacity building, and service delivery improvement.   In his welcome address, the Director of the Planning, Research and Statistics Department, Mukhtar Iliyasu, emphasized the critical importance of the retreat in aligning the individual and departmental outputs with the Ministry’s strategic goals and the broader national development agenda.   He noted that the Ministry made significant strides in the 2024 performance cycle, citing the successful cascading of performance contracts from institutional to individual levels, the development and tracking of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), regular performance reviews, and the observance of PMS Day, all contributing to greater transparency and service delivery.   The PRS Director further said that non-compliance with PMS guidelines would attract sanctions, reinforcing the government’s shift towards accountability and results-based governance.   While calling for collective responsibility and active participation, he urged all attendees to embrace innovation, collaboration, and dedication as the Ministry charts the course for a more impactful 2025.   The retreat features strategic sessions on reviewing past performance, signing of 2025 Performance Contracts, and strengthening the implementation of the Ministry’s deliverables, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.   ...