HOUSING MINISTRY TO CREATE DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR ARTISANS    * Technology will serve as online market place to make trained artisans accessible and efficient - Dangiwa    Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has disclosed the plan of the Ministry to create an online application for skilled workers, aimed at leveraging technology to make artisans more visible, accessible and efficient in delivering their services.   The Minister made this disclosure when he received rlthe Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development, Hon. Adamson Ayinde and his team on a courtesy visit at the Ministry’s headquarters, Abuja.   He explained that the digital platform to be named ‘Uber for Artisans’ will serve as an online market place where trained and certified artisans can connect with potential customers, adding the platform would enhance the earning potential of artisans and ensure that customers have access to skilled professionals for their construction needs.   “I believe that the Uber for Excel platform will be a game changer in the construction industry, as it will not only bridge a gap between supply and demand, but also promoting transparency and quality service delivery”, he hoped.   He commended the passion and proactive initiatives of the office of the SSA, which aligns with the Federal government’s agenda, particularly in vocational training, skills acquisition and youth empowerment.   Dangiwa restated that the Ministry of Housing, Urban Development, was driving the President's vision for addressing the housing deficit in Nigeria through renewed housing programs which aims to build seven cities, one in each geo political zone of the country and FCT, and 30 renewed hope estates across the country.   He informed that construction work was ongoing at 14 sites for 10,112 housing units, with significant portions expected to be commissioned within the next couple of months, providing jobs for over 252,000 Nigerians.   Stating further that construction sites were a source of employment for various skilled and unskilled laborers, the Minister noted that the quality of work done by these artisans were crucial to delivering decent and quality housing to Nigerians.   To this effect, He revealed that the Ministry has conceived the National Artisan Skill Acquisition Program (NASA) to address the shortage of skilled artisans in the construction industry and provide sustainable livelihoods for young Nigerians.   The Minister said the NASA program to be launched within the year aims to equip youths with construction-related skills such as plumbing, electrical works, masonry, carpentry, among others. “These skills are not only essential for construction sector, but also contribute to the economic, overall economic development of our nation”, he added.   The Minister also explained that the program will work with relevant government agencies, institutions, and the private sector to train and certify artisans. Accordingly, Arc. Dangiwa informed that the  ministry was in the process of completing and habitating its vocational training centers in various locations, including Abuja, Lagos and Imo states.   Expressing happiness that the SSA and his team has visited some of the centers, the Minister said that the ministry intends to rehabilitate some of the institutions within the next couple of months, pointing out that the centers will serve as hubs for hands-on training and capacity building for artisans.   To achieve this, he said that a committee would be set up in the Ministry within a period of three months, with the format for the training, as well as engagement with relevant associations, including the relevant associations in the building industry.   Arc. Dangiwa further assured the team of the Ministry's full support and cooperation in achieving the shared goals of both parties.   Speaking earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development, Hon. Adamson Ayinde, commended the Minister for his efforts in advancing the Renewed Hope Housing Development program.    While acknowledging the Minister’s leadership and the sustainable housing solutions, he highlighted key challenges which includes a shortage of skilled artisans.   To address this, He informed that his office was collaborating with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), and the department of Federal Public Assets Maintenance (FPAM) to propose a six-month training and certification program for Nigerian artisans.    He noted that the initiative aims to strengthen the local workforce, enhance construction quality, and ensure Nigerian artisans can compete internationally.    Hon. Ayinde further told the Minister that a formal proposal outlining the implementation framework, training curriculum, and expected outcomes would be submitted.   Also earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry Dr. Shuaib Belgore, reiterated the ministry's unwavering commitment to providing affordable housing for Nigerians, in line with the vision of President Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.   While emphasizing that the ministry's primary mandate was to ensure the availability of affordable housing for all citizens, he assured the delegates that the ministry was actively engaging in numerous housing development projects across the country in order to achieve President Bola Anmed Tinubu's goal.   "We are actively carrying out multiple housing development projects nationwide, and our efforts are yielding positive results," he stated. ...

Dangiwa Warns Developers of Renewed Hope Housing Projects to Maintain High Construction Standards, Deliver Quality Work    •⁠  ⁠Threatens demolition of substandard work, revocation of contracts.   Housing and Urban Development Minister Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has issued a strong warning to all developers of Renewed Hope Housing Estates and Cities across the thirteen locations nationwide to maintain high construction standards and deliver quality work and says " we will not tolerate any substandard work found on any Renewed Hope Project Site anywhere in the country”.   Dangiwa emphasised that construction must be based on contractual terms to ensure durability, stating that he will not hesitate to revoke contract of any substandard work.   “Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, we are very committed to ensuring that the houses that we build and the infrastructure is of good quality. To all the developers and contractors on our Renewed Hope Housing Projects, I want them to know that we will not tolerate poor quality work from any developer or contractor. If we identify any substandard work at any of the project sites, we will first demolish the structure and the Contractor will have to rebuild as per standard or we revoke the contract entirely”, he warned.    The Minister spoke, friday when he led the Ministry’s officials including the Minister of State,  Rt Hon Yusuf Abdullahi Ata,  the Permanent,  Dr Shuaib Belgore and some Directors of the ministry on the inspection of the ongoing construction work of the 1,500  and 500 Housing Housing Unit Renewed Hope Housing City in Kano State which are being built via Public Private Partnership and Budgetary provision respectively.    “We are impressed with the pace of work at the 1,500 Housing Unit Renewed Hope City that we are building here in Kano through a Public Private Private Partnership (PPP) with a consortium of developers led by Continental Civil Engineering. I commend them for the speed and the workforce they have mobilised. For the 500-Housing Unit Renewed Hope City which we are funding under the 2023 Supplementary budget, the project is not moving at the pace that we expect and we want the developers to step things up so we can complete and commission”, he noted.    On the timeline, he said “ We also want the developers to adhere to the timeline and finish within two to three months    Accordingly,  he stated that the ministry of housing and urban development under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, is very particular about giving Nigerians value for money, hence the government will not compromise on standard.   He also explained the economic impact of housing constructions, including job creation for masons, labourers , artisans, food vendors, blocks and other building materials suplliers, saying that the value chain effect of construction work is significant and creates a positive economic impact.   " We are making serious progress in our bid to actualize the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for housing and urban development. Our plan is to build seven Renewed Hope Cities,  one in each geo- political zone and FCT. We currently ongoing construction for 2,000 units in Kano, 3,112 units in FCT and  2,000 in Lagos while other locations are scheduled to come on stream. We also have construction ongoing simultaneously at twelve (12) for Renewed Hope Estates 250 housing units each two per geo-political zone " Dangiwa stated.   The Minister also directed Federal Controllers and assigned Ministry monitoring personnel to ensure close supervision of work and escalation of all quality infringements for action to be taken while also warning them not to compromise their offices.  ...

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. ...