Architects Are Vital in Developing Nigeria’s Infrastructure – Fashola ...Urges members to resolve the petitions and court cases hindering inauguration of the Council Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, Tuesday solicited the help of the country’s Architects in the Federal Government’s bid to order the developmental path of the nation, saying the Architects are vital to the infrastructure development of the country. Fashola who spoke when a delegation of the Architect Registration Council of Nigeria, ARCON, paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja, told the delegation, “You have a very very big role to play in helping to order the developmental path of Nigeria,” adding that the government’s commitment to infrastructure development would be difficult if not impossible to achieve without the important contributions of the architects. The Minister said, in response to the Council’s plea for inauguration, that the only impediment to the constitution of the Council was the court cases by members of the profession, pointing out that the delay in the constitution of the Council was not the fault of his Ministry. “The President has approved many months ago that the Council be inaugurated but members are petitioning, cross- petitioning, litigating, cross- litigating.  So, we are waiting until when all these cases are resolved, the Minister said. He added that “when the cases are resolved, we will constitute the Council because we can’t be aware that there is a case in court and then take an action that can undermine the Council.” Regarding the financial request made by the President of the Council in respect to rehabilitation and funding of Architects Registration Council offices in Lagos and Abuja, the Minister who was elated at the progress made so far by the Council advised them to submit a proposal that could be valued, specifying areas they need help and funding. On the school in Kuje, Fashola suggested that the best way to approach the issue was to submit a valued proposition, adding “We are undertaking some basic repairs here and there in the school from what I see in the records; you need to be able to tell us what you want to do differently.” Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation and ARCON President, Arc.  Dipo Ajayi, informed the Minister that they were in the Ministry among other things to invite him for the forthcoming 2022 Architect Colloquium scheduled to hold in May, 2022. Soliciting for collaboration of the Ministry in the upliftment of the Ministry’s Training Centre in Kuje,  Arc. Ajayi, informed the Minister that the Council had submitted a proposal on the need to collaborate with the Ministry in the use of the Kuje Training Centre to train artisans who are to service the built environment. “A situation where the country relies heavily on artisans from neighboring countries because of the dearth of qualified personnel needs to be addressed,” the ARCON boss said, adding that the Council considered it expedient to put the centre to use for the training of the required manpower to raise the standards of architectural technicians in Nigeria and as a way to stimulate growth of the economy in the retention of funds expended in this sector in Nigeria.” The ARCON President also informed the Minister on the outcome of the reconciliation meeting between the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) and the Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects (ANCA), saying the bodies arrived at: i. The harmonization of a single Professional Competency Evaluation Programme as a path way to licensure which was agreed upon by both Councils of ARCON and NIA to replace the Professional Practice Examinations. This was done because of the appeal from the NIA to step into the issue when it was obvious that they had challenges, ii. Memorandum of understanding between ARCON and holders of the Higher National Diploma Certificate in the Architectural family. Appealing to the Minister to inaugurate the Council, Ajayi said it would enable the Council to have a potpourri of ideas to tackle the daunting mandate of a regulator of the profession of Architecture in Nigeria. There have been lingering differences among ARCON, NIA and ANCA which are the regulatory bodies overseeing the architectural family. These irreconcilable differences have led to the delay in constituting the council, though President Buhari has since given the approval for the inauguration. ...

Buhari Commissions 76 Housing Units In Gombe  .....Fulfils promise made to Super Eagles 28 years ago President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned 76 housing units in Gombe town, Gombe State yesterday. The Housing Estate which is located at  Western Bye - Pass, Gombe, Gombe State, was built under the National Housing Programme (NHP)  and it  comprises  of 48 units of 2 bedroom, 24units of 3  bedroom and 4 units of 1bedroon bungalows. President Buhari who was represented by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim said the completion and commissioning of the Housing Estate was in line with his promises during his presidential campaigns. The infrastructure in the Housing Estate include: well laid out internal roads and drainages, a central borehole with overhead tanks to guarantee constant supply of water for the residents and provision of electricity. President Buhari also revealed that his administration has been able to  redeem the unfulfilled promises made  by past administrations 28 years ago  to provide  houses for each member of the Super Eagles who  performed gallantly at the African Cup of Nations in 1994, adding that the fulfilment was better late than never.  The President added that Super Eagles were given the privilege to indicate where each would want the house to be built, while some wanted it in  their villages, the others wanted it where they lived and he has approved that the allocation should be made based on their choices of location, noting that even the deceased among them were not left out in the allocation. He commended Gombe State Government for allocating the land to the Federal Government without collecting fee to enable his administration provide affordable housing units for Nigerians. Speaking earlier, the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Manasseh Jato, commended the Federal Government for providing houses to the residents of Gombe State to cushion the effect of its overstretched houses. He said that Gombe State being a peaceful state has attracted  influx of foreigners to settle in it and this has overstretched the housing facilities available. Jato assured the Federal Government that Gombe State would be willing to support the Federal Government in actualising the laudable policy in the state and the country.  In his remark at the event, Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola,SAN, who was represented by the Zonal  Director, National Housing Programme, North East Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Arc. Usman Bashir, said  that said a similar project was replicated in 34 states of the federation in line with the administration’s pledge to ensure adequate housing for Nigerians. Explaining how the citizens can access the houses, the Minister said " We have offered all these housing units to members of the general public in a non-discriminatory way by opening the National Housing Portal at Https://nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng to ensure that those interested are not inhibited by any artificial obstacles and allocations will be made on the basis of those who apply and pay on first come, first served basis." Speaking Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr.  Bashir Nura Alkali, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Planning Research and Statistics, Dr. Dunoma Ahmed, said that it was a programme rolled out by the government of President Buhari to provide acceptable and affordable housing  for Nigerians as well as address the housing deficit bedeviling the nation. Alkali said, "The National Housing Programme is promoting local content in line with the Executive Orders 3 and 5. The use of available local building materials in the National Housing Programme (NHP) has stimulated the economy through the production and use of the materials." His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar, represented by Alhaji Hakeem Jaro Mohammed, commended the Federal Government for proving houses for the people of  Gombe State through the National Housing Programme. Attesting to how the project has impacted positively on the lives of  the masses in the state, a painter at the site, Mr. Musa Umar, said that the project has helped him and other artisans who worked on the project financially. He added that with the money realized they were able to support their families. He commended the government of President Buhari and requested that more projects should be brought to Gombe State so that their  citizens can benefit as well as feel federal government's impact. In addition, a carpenter, Mr.Lazarus Musa, also commended the Federal Government for embarking on such an enormous project in the state, adding that he had fifteen workers under him with whom he rendered carpentary job on the site and  paid from the money he got from the contract. ...

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. ...