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Housing Ministry To Facilitate Reconstitution of SURCON - Belgore
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, has given assurance that the Ministry would facilitate the reconstitution of the Surveyors Registration Council of Nigeria (SURCON) to enable it to function optimally.
Dr. Belgore gave the assurance when a delegation from SURCON paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
He stated that the ministry would write to the Presidency, highlighting the significance of the Council in the practice of surveying and its impact on the career advancement of members in the civil service and to request for the reconstitution of the SURCON, assuring appropriate follow-up to secure the necessary consideration.
"Without the Council in place, crucial processes such as promotions within the profession will be halted," Belgore noted
The Ninth Council of SURCON was dissolved in June 2023 along with other federal boards and councils.
Established by Decree 44 of 1989 (now Cap S.18 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004), SURCON is responsible for the registration and regulation of surveyors in Nigeria.
The 59-member Council determines professional standards, sets registration requirements, and periodically reviews the standards to ensure best practices in the profession.
On the issue of funding, Dr. Belgore advised SURCON to explore grant opportunities through the Ministry, recommending that the Council submit a formal request outlining its financial challenges and justifications for government intervention.
Similarly, he encouraged SURCON to be proactive in seeking financial support from stakeholders to enhance its self-sufficiency.
Earlier, the Registrar of SURCON, Surv. Kunle Olugbemiro, stated that the aimed of the visit was to appeal for the intervention of the ministry for the reconstitution of the council and secure financial support.
He noted that while SURCON previously received funding through the Federal Government’s Appropriation Act and internally generated revenue (IGR), federal funding was withdrawn in December 2023, severely impacting the Council’s regulatory functions, including the monitoring of surveying practices.
Olugbemiro outlined SURCON’s main IGR sources, including practice fees, registration fees, enlistment fees, sale of publications, and accreditation visitation fees.
On his part, the President of Surveyors Council of Nigeria and Surveyor General of the Federation, Surv. Abdulganiyu Adebomehin, while emphasizing the urgency of reconstituting the council, highlighted that meetings and examinations cannot be conducted without a properly constituted Council.
He appealed for the Ministry to urgently interven and also advocated for financial support to enable the Council to pay gratuities to its retiring officers.
The meeting concluded with the presentation of a formal brief on SURCON to the Permanent Secretary.
Dangiwa Urges African Housing Ministers to Implement New Urban Agenda Initiatives *Pledges Nigeria’s Commitment to Sustainable Urbanization Cairo, Egypt – November 7, 2024 - At the African Ministerial Caucus of the 12th World Urban Forum, held in Cairo, Egypt, Nigeria's Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, called on African nations to intensify their efforts in implementing the New Urban Agenda initiatives. Dangiwa emphasized the critical need for sustainable urban development across Africa, affirming Nigeria’s commitment to achieving these goals through collaborative action, innovative financing, and robust public-private partnerships. The African Ministerial Caucus had in attendance Ministers of Housing, Land, and Urban Development from numerous African countries, including Uganda, Lesotho, Zambia, and Eswatini, who shared progress reports on their respective countries' strides in implementing the New Urban Agenda. Additionally, housing development finance institutions, including Shelter Afrique Development Bank, actively participated in discussions, underscoring the importance of financial partnerships in driving sustainable urbanization across the continent. In his address, Dangiwa highlighted the unified stance that African nations had adopted at the recent African Urban Forum in Addis Ababa, where countries pledged to fast-track Sustainable Development Goal 11 and align it with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. "Member states must continue to develop and implement comprehensive national plans integrating infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and economic growth to transform our cities into engines of prosperity," he stated. A key part of resolutions at the Forum was the importance of establishing national urban forums across Africa. These forums are to foster stakeholder dialogue towards sharpening national policies of member countries on urban planning, climate resilience, and economic inclusion, bolstering Africa’s ability to confront urban challenges through the Africa Urban Resilience Programme (AURP). The Hon. Minister also reiterate the need for transparent financial mechanisms and urged financial institutions to design innovative financing models that address low-income housing and promote sustainable economic growth. He pointed to Nigeria’s partnership with Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB), which mobilizes concessional funding to bridge Africa’s urban development financing gap, as an example for other nations. Dangiwa also shared Nigeria’s recent initiatives under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, including the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Program aimed at providing 100,000 housing units nationwide. Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable urban development includes IFC EDGE partnerships that promote green building practices, urban renewal projects, and slum upgrades, demonstrating an integrated approach to enhancing urban environments. ...
Nigeria Explores Strategic Housing Development Partnership with India at WUF12 in Cairo In a landmark meeting at the 12th edition of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) held in Cairo, Egypt, Nigeria’s Hon. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, engaged in high level discussions with India’s Hon'ble Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Manohar Lal. The bilateral talks centered on strengthening housing development partnerships and exploring collaborative strategies in housing and urban development between Nigeria and India. The discussions covered key areas of potential cooperation, including Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, social housing schemes, building resilient and sustainable cities, slum upgrade and urban renewal, and addressing the challenge of informal settlements. The meeting also featured Nigeria’s plans to establish Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs, which would enhance local production capacity to support affordable housing and job creation in Nigeria. India, with its robust housing sector, has recorded significant learnings in urban housing, sustainable city development, and social housing programs, which offer valuable insights for Nigeria’s housing development journey. Hon. Minister Dangiwa emphasized the importance of such cross-country collaboration, stating, “The shared experiences between Nigeria and India provide a valuable foundation for knowledge exchange and the pursuit of innovative housing solutions. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, we are keen on leveraging bilateral partnerships towards fixing Nigeria’s housing and urban development challenges.” Expressing India’s support, Shri Manohar Lal highlighted the mutual benefits of this cooperation, adding, “We have experimented and learned how to do things better. We would be happy to support Nigeria’s efforts and share our experiences in addressing urban housing and infrastructure needs.” The meeting at WUF12 underscores Nigeria’s commitment to international cooperation to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda for housing and urban development. By partnering with India, a nation recognized for its progress in social housing and urban resilience, Nigeria aims to accelerate its mission to provide affordable, inclusive housing for its citizens and foster sustainable urban communities. ...
Dangiwa Advocates for Youth Inclusiveness in Urban Planning and Development The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has underscored the need to incorporate the youth perspective into Urban Planning and Development, in order to effectively address climate change and ensure that cities remain resilient in the face of emerging challenges. Dangiwa made this known while giving his keynote address at the commemoration of the 2024 World Habitat Day/World Cities, in Abuja. The theme for this year’s World Habitat Day is “Engaging youth to create a better urban future” and for the World Cities Day, “Youth leading climate and local action for cities”. The Minister appreciated the promptness of the themes for the event, pointing out that the youth of today are not only the leaders of tomorrow but are already making significant contributions to sustainable urbanization through innovation and advocacy. While acknowledging the power of the unique insights and powerful voices of the young people in shaping the future of communities, the Minister emphasized on the importance of creating spaces where the ideas of the youth are valued and acted upon. According to him, “By supporting their initiatives with the necessary resources, we can enhance their impact on urban development and climate resilience”. The Minister was delighted at the Ministry’s role to lead Nigeria’s participation in the Urban October celebration, adding that the Ministry took pride in joining the international community to tackle the multifaceted challenges of urbanization, with the goal to raise awareness of the issues within Nigeria and promote collaborative action across all levels from local communities to the international stage. Arc. Dangiwa noted some of the steps being taken in the Country under the Housing Ministry to meet the challenges of rapid urbanization to include: the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Program which aims to build 50,000 housing units under phase 1; a 2-Day Workshop on Green Buildings by World Bank, IFC EDGE Programme, for technical staff of the Ministry, which is part of the drive to ensure the incorporation of sustainable and climate smart practices into housing projects. Accordingly, he stated the Ministry’s commitment to sustainable urbanization beyond housing, siting initiatives that support the low income earners such as the ongoing work towards the establishment of the National Social Housing Fund, aimed at helping the lower income Nigerians access affordable housing. While the Minister revealed that the efforts of the Ministry aligned closely with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty, inequality, and climate change, he acknowledged that the challenges required the support of every segment of the society, with youth playing a key role. “By engaging youth in urban planning and decision-making, we can create cities that offer opportunities for all while remaining resilient to the impacts of climate change”, he added. Further charging the young leaders to drive real change with their potentials, Dangiwa assured that they would be provided with the needed resources and opportunities to shape a sustainable and equitable urban future. “We stand with you, ready to amplify your voices and support your efforts in creating cities that reflect our shared values”, he encouraged. Similarly, he expressed optimism that the work being done at the Ministry would impact positively on the lives of Nigerians, making housing more affordable and accessible while fostering inclusive urban growth. Earlier in his message for the day, the Secretary General of the United Nations Mr. Antonio Guterres, noted that Cities needed the energy and vision of youths to champion the cause for change, being at the forefront of climate crisis with more than half of the world’s population and 70 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Mr. Gutteres expressed hope that empowering young people can lead to acceleration of climate action and global driven progress for Sustainable Development Goals. “We must amplify their voices, invest in their ideas, and promote their meaningful participation in urban decision-making”, he further said. In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Urban Development and Regional Planning, Honourable Abiante Awaji, represented by the Vice Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Abdulhakeem Ado, said the occasion offered an opportunity for reflection, action and collaboration in the strive to create a sustainable, inclusive resilient Urban space. He stated that the challenges of lack of proper planning, building without consideration of climate change, conversion of residential areas to that of commercial, among others, being faced by Cities can be solved when young people whose energy, creativity and commitment to sustainability are engaged. Hon. Abiante further assured that the house committee would continue to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that Nigerian Cities are planned and managed for the benefit of both present and future generations. In his Welcome Address, the Permanent Secretary Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi stated that by the event, the Country was joining the global community in the laudable venture of advancing the interest of National, regional and global stakeholders, on issues of sustainable urbanization. He encouraged all stakeholders to contribute their ideas, share experiences and propose solutions in the their discussions. “Let us work together to build inclusive, safe and resilient cities where all citizens regardless of background or social economic status can thrive”, he said. Dr. Oginbiyi expressed appreciation to the UN- Habitat for their roles in making the event possible. ...
Opening Remarks by The Hon. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, Outgoing Bureau Chair of The 42nd AGM, at The 43rd Annual General Meeting of Shelter Afrique Development Bank (SHAFDB) on Tuesday 11th June 2024 Holding At The Marriott Hotel In Kigali, Rwanda
Protocols:
Esteemed Guests, Honored Delegates, and Colleagues, all protocols observed,
1. It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the Shelter Afrique Development Bank’s 43rd Annual General Meeting holding here in Kigali, the Capital of Rwanda.
2. I am especially delighted to finally see so many of you, for the first time in person. Your presence here today and in the coming days demonstrates a commitment to the growth of this bank.
3. ShafDB is Africa’s housing finance bank, the only such institution that we have. It is therefore important that we all continue to give the bank all the support that it requires to grow, scale in impact and deliver on its mandate. Particularly, this support, I believe, is critical to our efforts as Ministers of Housing to leverage private sector finance towards providing affordable, decent and quality housing to our people across Africa.
4. Before I go on, I would like to on behalf of the 42nd AGM Bureau and the Management of ShafDB, sincerely thank the President of the Republic of Rwanda, His Excellency, Paul Kagame, and the Government of Rwanda for agreeing to host this 43rd AGM. The beauty, neatness and orderliness of Kigali and its hospitality is simply breathtaking.
5. I would also like to extend my profound gratitude to the ShafDB Board of Directors under the leadership of Dr. Chii Akporji for their support throughout my tenure as Chairperson of the 42nd AGM Bureau. With their support, we were able to accomplish great milestones and guide the bank towards a path of clarity and reform.
6. I must also acknowledge the exceptional efforts, drive and dynamism of our Managing Director, Thierno Habib Hann. Over the course of my time as AGM Bureau Chair, I have seen Mr. Hann demonstrate an untiring dedication, innovation and leadership that I believe is necessary to achieving the goals of a transformed ShafDB.
7. I want to acknowledge and commend the contributions of ShafDB management and staff. Their collective efforts contributed significantly to the successful transition from Shelter Afrique to Shelter Afrique Development Bank. To all of you, I extend my deepest appreciation.
8. I am pleased to inform you that during the Extraordinary General Assembly in Algiers, member States overwhelmingly supported the ratification of our new statutes. This consensus is a significant milestone in our journey to establish the Shelter Afrique Development Bank. Our discussions went beyond words. We recorded concrete measures to expedite the ratification process. It is important that we foster transparent dialogue about our current state and identify additional steps to enhance our progress.
9. Although we anticipated completing the ratification process within a few months, we find ourselves still awaiting full ratification. As of yesterday, only a few countries had ratified the Statutes. This situation poses challenges that we must quickly address.
10. Building robust alliances is essential for our success. I thank all member States for their financial contributions and support. I am proud to report that our Bank recorded a profit last year, a feat that was once considered impossible.
11. Looking ahead, it is important that we sustain and maintain a momentum of growth. I am optimistic and anticipate that the new Chair of 43rd AGM Bureau, Hon. Dr. Jimmy Gasore, possesses the capacity to effectively guide this revitalization process.
12. Our financial report highlights our unique assets, which position us for global success. The key question is how we can best leverage these resources to benefit our member States. On this too, I am confident that the new leadership will provide the management with the support they require to maximize impact.
13. During the course of the AGM, we plan to launch a Financial Caucus of African Ministers of Housing and Urban Development. I believe that this platform will help us create synergy, tap from our collective and unique strengths to fashion out innovative ways and measures to bolster housing development in our respective countries.
14. Like I said at the EGM in Algiers, the African housing problem is for Africa to solve. And we as Ministers of Housing must recognize that we are the ones responsible to providing the solutions and driving the process towards fixing Africa’s housing challenge. What this means is that we must work together. We must share experiences, challenges, lessons and solutions. We must combine efforts in our engagements with external stakeholders and maximize our engagements. We must seek to tap the immense benefits that come from working as a unified group towards solving the African housing problem. Working in silos is no longer an option. This is because as Africans, we are one. We have a common continent; we have a common destiny, and our progress or backwardness reflects on us all.
15. At the end of this AGM, we also plan to have a Kigali Declaration to signify and communicate our collective desire to Prioritize housing development and commit to taking concrete steps towards making a substantial difference. The Kigali Declaration aims to unify our voices to achieve common goals and tackle shared challenges. It seeks to highlight to the global community the urgent need for coordinated action on climate change, emphasizing its impact on Africa.
16. It is important to state that the Kigali Declaration will not just be words on paper. We have ensured that it is based on a well-prepared roadmap for "How to Finance and Deliver," leveraging the professional expertise around Shelter Afrique Development Bank. Our aim is to make a difference. Our aim is to create impact and build a new and more progressive narrative that delivers concrete results in terms of homes for our people, jobs and economic empowerment. And this, I believe is possible.
17. Importantly, with the existential threat of climate change, the housing industry serves a key lever to achieve the climate ambition and sustainability targets of the region.
18. As we deliberate during this AGM, I implore us to always strive for compromise and ensuring a commitment to upholding the laws and statutes that hold us together. As a big organization with shareholding of over 44 independent and sovereign countries, we must all commit to staying within the boundaries of what the laws state.
19. Before I conclude, I want to express my gratitude to all those who continue to participate in our collaborative efforts, despite occasional disagreements about our direction. Your commitment strengthens us and propels us forward.
20. Our achievements over the past year underscore the importance of strategic planning and building strong connections. Perseverance through challenges and setbacks is crucial. This year, we have reached several objectives we can be proud of.
21. Despite our successes, we must remain vigilant and not rest on our laurels. New and existing challenges will continue to emerge. It is vital to sustain our current relationships and cultivate new ones.
22. Regardless of the decisions we make, I am confident that we will make them together, as a united body.
Thank you.
Honorable Minister Arch. Ahmed Dangiwa
Remarks By The Hon. Minister of Housing and Urban Development Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, Represented by the Hon. Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Engr. Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, at the Launch of The 250-Housing Unit Renewed Hope Estate in Yobe On Friday, May 24th 2024
Protocols
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. First, I would like to thank His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni CON, for honoring our invitation to be a part of today’s event.
2. I am very excited to be here as the Hon. Minister of State representing the Hon. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa to perform the groundbreaking for a 250-housing unit Renewed Hope Estate.
3. The Renewed Hope Estate in Yobe comprises of 50 units of 1-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, 150 units of 2-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, and 50 units of 3-bedroom semi-detached bungalows.
4. We have designed these housing units in a way that makes it easy and affordable for people to offtake. We have used organic designs to allow for future expansion as the income of beneficiaries increases. What this means is that the 1-bedroom can be expanded to 2 bedrooms and a 2-bedroom expandable to 3 bedrooms as the owner’s financial situation improves or he grows in service.
5. As we break the ground on this project, I want to charge the developers, Messrs. Katalyst Dynamics & Contracting Co. Ltd, Jikantiti Nigeria Limited, MB Yalwa Contractors Ltd, and 2 Horses Ventures Limited to ensure that they build according to specifications. I expect you to deliver a quality job because we will not tolerate substandard. We also want you to have this work finished within the next three months so that we can begin the process of getting Yobe indigenes to purchase and move in.
6. We have created different options to enable everyone who has a source of income and livelihood to own these homes when they are completed. These include single-digit mortgage loans with up to 30-year terms provided by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Rent-to-Own schemes, and Outright Purchase options for those who can afford to pay upfront.
7. I want to state that today's groundbreaking event is part of a larger vision of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, when he launched the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates project with a 3,112-housing unit project in Karsana, Abuja, earlier this year.
8. Under Phase One, we plan to deliver a total of 50,000 housing units across Nigeria. The cities will have between 500 - 1,000 housing units per site in one location in each of the six geopolitical zones in the country and the FCT, while the estates will have 250 units per site in the remaining thirty (30) states.
9. With this housing programme, we plan to unlock the massive potential of housing development to create jobs, uplift lives and boost economic development. Statistics show that construction of one housing unit creates an average of 25 direct and indirect jobs. So, for these 250 housing units we are hoping to create jobs for over 6,500 people. This is besides the economic activities including persons selling food, supplying blocks, building materials and the likes. The value chain effect is big and creates positive economic impact.
10. Nationwide, we currently have estates in 12 States and Cities in 3 States. The estates are sited in Katsina, Yobe, Gombe, Abia, Nasarawa, Benue, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Sokoto, Oyo, and Osun. The cities are in Abuja, Kano and Lagos.
11. This exercise started on Wednesday with the groundbreaking for a 250-housing unit Renewed Hope Estate in Katsina, followed by the groundbreaking for a 500-housing unit Renewed Hope City in Kano yesterday. After here, we will be proceeding to Gombe for the groundbreaking of a 250-housing unit Renewed Hope Estate. In total, we are breaking ground for 1,250 housing units across four states in Northern Nigeria.
12. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, we are particular about giving Nigerians value for money. The funding for these projects come from the N50 billion 2023 Supplementary Budget of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. We have already awarded contracts for 3,500 housing units in those 13 States. States that have not been covered under the 2023 Supplementary Budget will be included in the 2024 Budget, and I urge all State Governments who are yet to provide land for these projects to do so promptly.
13. At this juncture, I also want to appreciate and thank His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Yobe State, His Excellency Mai Mala Buni CON for promptly granting our request for the provision of land at no cost. This singular action has helped us to reduce as much as 30% of the cost of the units in this Estate for the benefit of potential homeowners. This is a dividend of responsible governance and I applaud Your Excellency for this.
14. Before I close my remarks, I want to thank and appreciate our President for providing the vision and the political will necessary for us to make a difference in terms of delivering decent and quality housing to Nigerians. The Groundbreaking ceremony today in Yobe state and tomorrow in Gombe state is a testament that Mr. President and indeed the Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to fulfilling promises and responsibilities to all Nigerians.
Long live Yobe and His Excellency, the Executive Governor.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Long live Mr. President.
Public Notice to Waterfront Property Owners in Lagos state
MEETING OF THE PERMANENT SECRETARY, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, DR SHUAIB BELGORE WITH THE DELEGATION FROM CHINA HARBOUR ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED
Meeting of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Shuaib Belgore with the delegation from China Harbour Engineering Company Limited
PICTORIAL: HON MINISTER OF STATE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, HIS EXCELLENCY (HON) UBA MAIGARI AHMADU LED THE MANAGEMENT TEAM OF HIS MINISTRY ON A COURTESY VISIT TO THE HON MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ARC AHMED MUSA DANGIWA.
Pictorial: Hon Minister of State for Regional Development, His Excellency (Hon) Uba Maigari Ahmadu led the management team of his ministry on a courtesy visit to the Hon Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.