Apr

21

2022

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.

Apr

08

2022

Out Pour Of Encomiums Continues As President Muhammadu Buhari Commissions National Housing Project In Kano
 
…... The project has opened up activities in my area - Gama District Head

.......  I thank you PMB for this project, I can now pay my children school fees -- Mohammed Lawal

The people of Kano State Thursday, March 7, 2022 joined in the outpouring of commendation across the country, as President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned affordable National Housing Programme in the State.

The Federal Government under the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has successfully completed Phase 1 of the National Housing Programme in 34 States including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

From Sokoto to Asaba, the story has been the same as Nigerians thanked President Buhari for the provision and commissioning of the pilot scheme of affordable, accessible and acceptable houses as contained in the National Housing Policy. So far, completed housing units under Phase 1 of the National Housing Programme have been commissioned in Kaduna, Kogi, Delta, Imo, Osun, Nasarawa, Sokoto, Niger and now Kano State.

However more of such housing projects are lined up for commissioning by the President in many other states as soon as arrangements are tidied up.

In Kano, the District Head of Gama Kwari Jaba, where the houses are located Mallam Musa Usman, while thanking President Buhari, said the project has really opened up his community for commercial activities, adding that his subjects derived maximum benefits by way of getting paid job in the course of the project.

The ward Head prayed for the President and asked the Government to do more in order to improve the living condition of the people and curb the rate of unemployment in the country.

Speaking in the same vein a labourer who was engaged during the construction, Mohammad Lawal said that with the little money he made, he was able to settle the school fees of his children and use part of it to provide food for his family.

“I thank President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, for this project. God bless our President. I pray and wish him a successful end of tenure," he said.

Others who spoke were: food vendors, iron benders, carpenters and other labourers that worked in the site unanimously prayed for and commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the laudable housing project.

They all in separate interviews, expressed their genuine happiness in the way the project turned around their daily lives for the better, as according to them, "A means of earning their daily bread was created through the project."

A total of 76-units of houses comprising, 4-units of one bedroom, 48-units of two bedroom and 24 units of three-bedroom bungalows were commissioned in Kano State.

At the commissioning in Kano, the President represented by the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi, Rtd said: "This housing estate being commissioned today is an example of the fulfillment of the promise of change we made to Nigerians."

President Buhari said the housing estates that were constructed in the 34 states of the federation were a clear manifestation of the progressive ideals of the present administration to improve the human condition of Nigerians.

President Buhari said, “The micro, small and medium size businesses that drive the economy have unleashed a value chain of economic activities that improved the conditions of the ordinary Nigerians."

Accordingly, he said, those business activities added value to human condition, saying, “In the process, Nigerians at the bottom of the pyramid such as artisans, builders, skilled and unskilled workers and food vendors were not left out of this economic value chain."

Mr.President  also pointed out that the desire and commitment of his administration towards improving the human condition was gaining more impetus as jobs were being created for the teeming populace via the housing estates, adding that people who had aspired for a long time to own a home are now seeing their dreams come true with this housing projects.

On his part, the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN said that as the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari draws to an end, there is great leap in completion of projects all over the federation.

The Minister was represented in Kano by the Director of Public Building and Housing Development Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Arc. Solomon Labafilo.

Fashola said, "As we head towards the end of President Muhammadu Buhari's tenure of office, I am happy  to also say that we enter a season of completion when many projects such as this begin to bear fruits."

Fashola further stated that the houses commissioned were opened to the general public in non-discriminating way by opening of the National Housing Portal to ensure transparency of bidding processes in acquiring the houses.

He added that, "We welcome those who can afford to pay outright. It is not a condition of eligibility and have offered flexible payment options like mortgage and rent to own which we encourage applicants to pursue."

Mar

31

2022

Speech By The Hon. Minister Of Works And Housing Represented By The Director Public Building & Housing Development, Arc. Solomon Labafilo At The Commissioning Of The National Housing Programme In Imostate On 31st March, 2022.

On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria and President MuhammaduBuhari, I bring glad tidings and best wishes to the people and Government of ImoState.

We gather together to harvest the fruit of our investment and to commemorate the completion of the National Housing Programme’s Pilot in Imo State.

As we head towards the end of President MuhammaduBuhari’s tenure of office, I am happy to also say that we enter a season of completion when many projects such as this begin to bear fruit.

In 34 States of Nigeria, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works and Housing, has delivered projects like this with the support of the State Governors who provided the land.

Today in Imo State at Along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, we have completed and we are handing over 68-units of Housing comprising, 24-units in condominium (1 bedroom-4, 2bedroom-16, 3 bedroom-4), 28-units 2 (TWO) Bedroom and 16-units 3 (THREE) Bedroom bungalows.

There are many things to be said about this project, from its design to the Economic impact and the social impact on this community.

In terms of design, this project is the outcome of a national survey conducted by the Ministry of Works and Housing to find out the type of houses Nigerians desired.

The survey revealed a prevalent need for bungalows in the North of Nigeria and flats in the South of Nigeria.

The survey also revealed the need for space such that our houses have one-bedroom units of 60-70 sq. metres, Two-bedroom units of 76 – 103 sq. metres and Three Bedroom Units 110 – 137 of sq. metres.  These are extremely generous spaces compared to what is commonly available in the market.

This certainly ensures that the product that is delivered is acceptable to those it is intended for, while it is competitive in the market.

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 a first come, first served basis.

While we welcome those who can afford to pay outright, it is not a condition for eligibility and we have offered flexible payment options like mortgages and rent to own which we encourage applicants to pursue.

The story of these housing projects which are now visible and available in 34 States of Nigeria would be incomplete without the efforts of many Nigerians who contributed to its delivery.

To members of the private sector, especially Architects who volunteered their time to work with Architects and other staff of our Ministry at the conception stage to advise on the design, I thank you for your contribution to Nation building.

To my colleagues in the Federal Executive Council who supported this idea and approved the initiative; your votes have birthed fruits of development and impacted lives.

To the legislators in the 8th and 9th National Assembly and members of the Senate and House Committees on Housing, who questioned, challenged and supported us with year-on-year appropriation and undertook oversight visits to monitor progress, I believe your constituents can see from these houses, some evidence of your representation.

To our contractors, suppliers and all those employed in the building process, I thank you for contributing to nation building.

I will now conclude by inviting Mr. President to conduct the commissioning and handing over of this estate.

Thank you for your attention.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Works and Housing

Mar

23

2022

Tambuwal, Sultan Hail FG At Commissioning Of Sokoto’s National Housing Programme

·    As Season of Completion, Impact in Housing Sector moves to Sokoto Emirate

.    Primary objective of our administration is to improve living conditions of Nigerians”, says Buhari

·   Nigerians will witness more in days to come  -  Fashola

The progressive train of the Federal Government arrived Sokoto on Tuesday 22, 2022, as President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned 80 housing units completed in the State by the Ministry of Works and Housing under the government’s ongoing National Housing Programme (NHP) across the country.

The commissioning, witnessed by prominent dignitaries and stakeholders in the state, was the sixth of its kind since the government’s Season of Completion and Impact commenced nationwide in the Housing Sector barely a fortnight ago.

Speaking on behalf of his people, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Mohammad Sa’ad Abubakar, whose goodwill message was rendered in Hausa language, praised the Buhari administration, for its untiring commitment to the fulfillment of its mandate of change to Nigerians saying his Emirate would remain grateful to the Federal Government for extending the programme to it.

The Sultan, who was represented by the Ardon Shuni of the Emirate, Alhaji Muhammad Harande II, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the project and also urged all the allottees of the houses in the State to take proper care of them in order to derive the maximum impact intended to be achieved.

In his keynote address at the occasion President Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, described the completion of the housing project as a fulfilment of the promise of change his administration made to the people at its inception.
 
Buhari, who expressed appreciation to the Sokoto State government for the intergovernmental collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing through the provision of the land for the project, described it as “one of the developmental approaches across the levels of government”.

The President was delighted that, through the housing constructions, contracts were given to Micro, Small and Medium enterprises and business men and women were engaged, while skilled and unskilled workers got employment adding that the programme has “unleashed a value chain of economic activities that have made positive impacts in the lives of ordinary Nigerians”.

"These are some of the people our country remains committed to move towards prosperity and away from poverty and we are already reaching them by providing opportunities for employment for those who were hitherto unemployed”, he said.
 
The President described as, “one of the great leaps” in the  fulfilment of promise of change made by his administration, the approval of the allocation of houses to 22 members of the 1994 Super Eagles Team in their various states, in fulfilment of a pledge made to them 28 years ago by the then Federal Government.

In his goodwill message, the Sokoto State Governor, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Manir Muhammad DanIya, commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, for the construction of the housing estate in Sokoto which he said was “a great effort towards providing affordable houses for Nigerians”.

In his own remarks, Fashola, who was represented by the Director Information and Communication Technology of the Ministry, Mrs. Olayemi Sotomi, stated that Nigerians would witness many more commissioning of completed projects as President Buhari's tenure draws nearer adding that many more projects would soon start to bear fruit.
 
According to the Minister, the 80 housing units under Phase 1, comprising 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units, have been completed in Sokoto State adding, "In terms of design, this project is the outcome of a national survey conducted by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to find out the type of houses Nigerians desire”.

He explained that the survey revealed a preference for bungalows in Northern Nigeria and flats in Southern Nigeria, adding that the survey also showed the need for space which, according to him, “is why the one-bedroom units are 60 - 70 square metres and two-bedroom units 76 - 103 square metres while three-bedroom units are110 - 137 square metres”.

Fashola also disclosed that the housing units are offered to the public through the National Housing Portal at https://nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng/”to ensure that interested buyers are not inhibited by any “artificial obstacle and allocations are made on the basis of those who apply and pay on a first-come- first-served basis”.
 
The Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Engr. Chukwunwike Uzo, who was represented by the Federal Zonal Director Housing, North West, Builder Emmanuel Hangeoire, stated that the Ministry was promoting local content in the building construction in line with Executive Orders 3 and 5.
 
According to Engr. Uzo, at least 1,200 building contractors have been engaged under Phases I, II and III of the housing programme since 2016 and over 14,500 and 50,140 direct and indirect jobs have been created.
 
“During this period, the Ministry has been undertaking the construction of at least 6,000 housing units at 45 sites out of which 2,465 units have been completed in 34 States and the Federal Capital Territory”.

Mar

11

2022

National Housing Programme, Evidence Of Fulfilment Of Our Administration's Promise Of Change To Nigerians – Buhari

•    FG has delivered similar projects in 34 States with the support of the Governors who provided land – Fashola

•    Minister dismisses false report of fatal accident during recent inspection of 2nd Niger Bridge

•  Delta State Governor, traditional ruler, Contractors, Artisans, Food Vendors commend FG for economic, life improving infrastructure

From the North Central State of Nasarawa, the progressive train of the Season of Completion and Impact in the Housing Sector moved to the South South State of Delta on Thursday with the commissioning of completed homes under the first Phase of the National Housing Programme at Issele Azagba in Aniocha North Local Government Area of the State by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The President, who was represented by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN at the commissioning stated that the National Housing Programme (NHP) is an example of the promise of change made to Nigerians by the current administration.

“Our desire and commitment towards improving the human condition and our message of change, have another facet beyond job creation. It responds to those who have long aspired to own a home, and that dream has come true with this project,” Buhari said.

The President remarked, “When our Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), sought your mandate to form Government in 2015, one of the things we promised was change.”

Responding to a journalist’s question shortly after the commissioning, the Minister dismissed a false report in the media that he was involved in a motor accident during his inspection tour of the ongoing 2nd Niger Bridge in Delta and Anambra States. He said, “We were in Asaba two days ago with the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari to inspect ongoing works at the second Niger Bridge.  It is unfortunate that some sections of the media chose to tell sensational premium lies, we were not involved in any accident.”

Earlier, the Minister of Works and Housing, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Housing, Mr. Biodun Oki, said “In 34 States of Nigeria, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works and Housing, has delivered projects like this with the support of the State Governors who provided the land.”

“There are many things to be said about this project, from its design to the economic impact and the social impact on this community. In terms of design, this project is the outcome of a national survey conducted by the Ministry of Works and Housing to find out the type of houses Nigerians desired,” he said.

The Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr. Chukwunwike  Uzo  who was represented by the Director, Public Buildings and Housing in the Ministry , Arc. Solomon Labafilo remarked, “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 the materials. The overall economic value chain arising from the housing construction activities is mostly beneficial to the Nigerian youths. ‘’

Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi  Okowa who was  represented by   the Commissioner of Housing in Delta State, Chief Festus Ochonogor  noted that shelter being an essential part of human needs, a housing estate like the one being commissioned is part of the crucial development of the society.  He said the housing gap can be bridged through Public and Private Partnership to address the housing needs of the people.

In his goodwill message, the Asagba of Asaba , HRH Joseph Chike Edozien ,  represented by the Osowa Owelle Asaba , Engr. Chris Chukwurah said , “This project is number one in this country and we thank the Federal Government for siting this edifice in this area and for giving some of these houses to Super Eagle players to actualize the promise made to them by  the Abacha regime. “

Engr. Chukwurah added that the National Housing Programme  has contributed to the economic prosperity of the people within the area. He enjoined the beneficiaries to maintain the houses in order to spur the Federal Government to provide more.

House of Representatives Member representing Aniocha North /South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu represented by Hon. Anthony Okeibuno said the Federal Government is collaborating with the Delta State Government in developing housing and other critical infrastructure in the state. He said, “I congratulate the beneficiaries and I enjoin them to make good use of the houses.”

One of the contractors who built the units of houses in the Estate, Engr. Nze Upright thanked the Minister for his consistency in following up the projects through to the stage of commissioning. He appealed to the Federal Government for more funding for the Second Phase of the National Housing Programme.

One of the artisans, Stephen Achi, said that he thanked the President and the Minister for the housing projects because working with the contractors made him earn enough to start his own personal project.

A food seller at the site of the building, Promise Innocent expressed her satisfaction with the projects because her earning capacity has improved since the beginning of the housing project as workers and the artisans on site patronized her shop and five other shops within the site.

Some of the dignitaries at the event included Directors from the Ministry and some members of the Delta State Executive Council.  The NYSC Band Delta State and other traditional cultural musical groups in Delta State   were also at the event of commissioning to entertain the guests.

Mar

07

2022

FG Redeems 28 Years’ Pledge, Allocates Houses to 1994 Super Eagles

…As Commissioning of Homes Completed Under the National Housing Programme Kicks off in Nasarawa State

The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the allocation of houses to 22 members of the 1994 Super Eagles in their various states, thereby fulfilling a pledge made to them 28 years ago by the then Federal Government.

President Buhari stated this in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Monday, March 7, 2022 during the commissioning of the completed homes under the administration’s National Housing Programme initiative.  

The commissioning was the first in the series of the formal commissioning lined up to take place in 34 States of the federation where Phase I of the houses has been completed.

Represented by the Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr Muhammed Abdullahi,  President Buhari described the completion of the housing projects as a fulfillment of the promise of change that was made to the people by his administration. 

The President also praised the Nasarawa State Government for providing the land for the project, describing it as one of the developmental possibilities that intergovernmental collaboration can produce. 

Accordingly, he said that the provision of the housing estates across the country was informed by the government's desire to achieve one of its primary objectives which is to improve the human condition.

The President said that the housing projects provided contracts for the Micro, Small and Medium business men and women who provided employment for people through the engagement of skilled and unskilled workers thereby unleashing a value chain of economic activities that have made a positive impact in the lives of ordinary Nigerians. 

"These are some of the people our country remains committed to move towards prosperity and away from poverty and we are already reaching them by providing opportunities for employment for those who were hitherto unemployed," he said. 

In his address, the Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule who was represented by the State’s Commissioner of Works, Engr. Idris Muhammed Idris, described the construction of the housing estate as a landmark achievement of the Federal Government in its effort to provide affordable and conducive accommodation for Nigerians.

The Governor expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the numerous federal projects undertaken through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

 In a remark, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN, represented by the Director of Public Building and Housing, Architect Solomon Labafilo, stated that, as the end of President Buhari's tenure draws near, Nigerians will witness a season of completion when many projects will start to bear fruit. 
 
He explained that 76 housing units under Phase One have been completed in Nasarawa State comprising 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units. 

Fashola said, "In terms of design, this project is the outcome of a national survey conducted by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to find out the type of houses Nigerians desire."

He explained that the survey revealed a preference for bungalows in Northern Nigeria and flats in Southern Nigeria,  adding that the survey also showed the need for space which is why the one bedroom units are 60 - 70 square metres,  two bedroom units 76 - 103 square metres and three bedroom units have 110 - 137 square metres.

Fashola who said the housing units are offered to the public through the National Housing Portal at https://nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng/ to ensure that interested buyers are not inhibited by any artificial obstacle and allocations are made on the basis of those who apply and pay on a first-come- first-served basis. 

Director overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Engr. Chukwunwike Uzo represented by the Zonal Director North Central, Engr. Valentine Nwaimo informed the audience that the Ministry is promoting local content in the building construction in line with Executive Order 3 and 5.

Engr. Uzo disclosed that at least 1,200 building contractors had been engaged under Phase I, II and III of the housing programme since 2016 and over 14,500 and 50,140 direct and indirect jobs have been created. 

He also said that during this period the Ministry is undertaking the construction of at least 6,000 housing units in 45 sites out of which 2,465 units have been completed in 35 States and the FCT.
 

Mar

07

2022

WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE AG. PERMANENT SECRETARY, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WORKS AND HOUSING, REPRESENTED BY ENGR. VALENTINE NWAIMO, ZONAL DIRECTOR HOUSING NORTH CENTRAL AT THE COMMISSIONING OF THE NATIONAL HOUSING PROGRAMME IN NASARAWA STATE ON MONDAY, 7TH MARCH, 2022.
PROTOCOLS
1.    On behalf of the Honourable Minister Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, Directors and Head of Units, Federal Ministry of Works & Housing, I welcome all distinguished invited Guests, the Royal Fathers and the entire people of Nasarawa State to this event of the commissioning of the first phase of the National Housing Programme Initiative.
2.    As part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s developmental agenda of addressing Housing needs in Nigeria, the Federal Government inaugurated a pragmatic National Housing Programme (NHP) for the construction of acceptable and affordable houses nationwide. The first phase of the programme commenced in the 2016, in 34 States and FCT.
3.    The National Housing Programme is being implemented by the Ministry of Works and Housing, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN. It is a Programme borne out of the present Government's desire to provide affordable housing for its citizenry.
4.    Further to the above, the Ministry 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. The overall economic value chain arising from the housing construction activities is mostly beneficial to the Nigerian youths.
5.    The Ministry has successfully constructed housing schemes under this Programme in 35 States, except for Lagos State where land has not been donated by the state government for the programme. The housing types currently available comprise of 1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom and 3 Bedroom semi-detached bungalows and condominiums. The Philosophy behind the National Housing Programme is the provision of pilot scheme that is affordable, accessible and acceptable as contained in the National Housing Policy. The approach to the design and use of materials take cognizance of the cultural and climatic peculiarities of the regions while responding also to the tenets of the Building Energy and Efficiency Code (BEEC) being championed by the Ministry.
6.    For the benefit of Nigerian on this initiative, over 1,200 building contractors have been engaged under phases I, II and III of the programme since the inception in 2016 and over 14,500 and 50,140 direct and indirect jobs have been created. 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 35 States and FCT.
7.    At this juncture, I welcome you all once again to the commissioning of this laudable initiative in Nasarawa State.  
Thank you and God bless you.

Feb

18

2022

Inadequate Qualified Artisans Contribute to Building Collapse - Works & Housing Minister

Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo has emphasized the need for competent artisans in the Real Estate Sector as one of the ways of preventing building collapse in the country.

The Minister made this attribution while speaking to members of the Construction Skills Training and Empowerment Project (C- STEMP) led by a former Minister of state for Health, Arc. Gabriel Yakubu Aduku who paid a courtesy visit to his Office, Thursday 17th February, 2022

Sambo said "we all know that one of the reasons for building collapse in this country is attributable to the prevalence of the use of unskilled artisans."

He praised the effort of C-STEMP in coming up with an initiative to fill what he described as a huge gap in the built environment and promised to support them." It has been a huge gap in our industry, the construction industry like we all know requires skilled workers. I want to assure the delegation today that they should see us as their partner," he said.

On the request by the delegation for the reconstitution of the Board of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), the Minister promised to discuss with the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, H.E, Babatunde Fashola, SAN and expressed confidence that it would be treated with priority attention.

Accordingly, Sambo reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to completing the affordable housing development scheme in Gwagwalada, Abuja. Disclosing that funding would be made accessible to subscribers through the Federal Mortgage of Nigeria.

Describing the construction industry as large employer of labour, Sambo said, "millions of Nigerians will be able to put food on their tables if we have a vibrant construction industry."

Earlier, the Director General of the Organisation, Anthony A Okwa, FNIOB informed the Honourable Minister that C- STEMP was spurred by the Construction Ideas Fund (CIF) initiated in 2013 by Growth and Empowerment Scheme and the DFID to address the challenge of severe shortage of skilled manpower in the Real Estate sector of the country.

He explained that C-STEMP which has the objective of breaking the paradox of high unemployment and poverty in the midst of severe shortage of skilled manpower in the construction industry, is the pioneer Construction Skills Training provider approved by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

Accordingly, Okwa further said that the Organisation had embarked on several training programmes at home and abroad to boost the supply of competent artisans and craftsmen.

He revealed that C- STEMP is currently working with The Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria, (CORBON) and the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) National Skills Qualification, NSQ, Framework through the provision of induction, training and assessment of practicing artisans towards attainment of competence certification in line with National Occupational Standards for construction trade.

The Director General also extended invitation to the Honourable Minister of State to attend the year 2022 edition of the Construction Artisans Award scheduled to hold at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja between 28 - 29 of March, 2022.

Feb

12

2022

FG To Work Towards Adequate Funding Of Federal Housing Authority-Sambo

The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, has said that the Federal Government will work towards adequate funding of Federal Housing Authority (FHA) for the realization of its mandate.

Sambo said this when he was on an official tour to the Headquarters of Federal Housing Authority, Abuja where he was briefed on its activities.

Sambo noted that since FHA was established to cater for low and middle income earners, it would therefore need funding intervention from the federal government to develop affordable houses for that category of citizens.

The Minister, while responding to the agitation of management concerning the removal of FHA from the appropriation bill, advised the management to put up a position paper that would be passed to the appropriate authority to justify the need for budgetary allocation and seek inclusion into the budget appropriation.

"I have advised the management of FHA to put together a position paper that we can use to canvas the appropriate authorities for funds because the Federal Housing Authority was established to cater for the low and middle income earners in the country.”

In addition, Sambo advised the management of FHA to adopt a proactive mechanism in planning and managing their resources.

The Minister also explained that the Land Use Act has limited the Federal Government Agencies to acquire land in the states for mass housing delivery since land belongs to the states.

“The Land Use Act of 1978 is a challenge. In the Act, all lands are under the administration of respective state governments. Here is a Federal agency that wants to develop houses for low-income and middle-income earning Nigerians and it does not have land. It means we are at the mercy of various state governments for us to get land. You cannot build a house on water’” he said.

He, however, urged the management of FHA to build a robust relationship with state governors in a way that would be beneficial to both parties because no state governor would turn a blind eye to what would be advantageous to the citizens of the state.

Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of FHA, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, advocated for the review of the laws establishing Federal Housing Authority, adding that they are impeding its performance.

Ashafa further informed the Minister that inadequate funding has continued to hinder their output. 

According to him , the Authority which used to enjoy Federal Government's funding through budget appropriation to finance  social or affordable housing projects could no longer perform its duties in this regard because it was removed from budget appropriation since 2004,adding that it has limited financial resources available for use.

Senator Ashafa appealed to the Minister to use his position to ensure that FHA can be included in the budget appropriation, noting that it would help the Authority to construct affordable houses and provide employment opportunities for Nigerians being part   of the key agenda of the government of President Muhammad Buhari, GCFR.

Meanwhile, at Zuba Housing Estate, Arc. Adamu Taminu, while conducting the Minister round the Estate, explained that it is comprised of 76 blocks of unit of 2bedrooms, 16 units of 1 bedroom and 18 duplexes of 3bedrooms with 95% completion stage and would be completed in the next three months. 

At the Apo - Guzape Housing Estate which is a Public Private Partnership model between the Federal Housing Authority, ENL Consortium Limited and Individual Developers, the Project Manager Federal Housing Authority, Mr. Bello Yusuf, explained that out of the 111 houses constructed under Direct Construction 88 units have been completed, 764 housing units are ongoing under the PPP project.

The Federal Housing Estate at Apo- Guzape has necessary infrastructure in place ranging from civil, electrical and mechanical as well as provision of adequate security to make the estate habitable for off takers.

Sambo was impressed with the quality of work at the two housing estates he inspected.

Jan

18

2022

Another 2000 Families To Enjoy Adequate And Affordable Housing In Nigeria

…President Buhari is passionate about providing affordable houses for Nigerians

Determined to provide adequate and affordable housing for Nigerians, the Federal Government is to provide more adequate and affordable housing for about 2000 families in the Federal Capital Territory.

The Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo disclosed this during his maiden inspection of the Affordable Housing and Management Development Initiative in Gwagwalada, Abuja on Monday January 17, 2022.

The Minister said that it was a constitutional and fundamental requirement for government to provide decent and affordable houses for its citizens. He said: “It is a fundamental priority of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to provide decent and affordable houses for the teeming masses of Nigerians especially against the backdrop of rural-urban migration.”

The Minister said that Nigeria’s population which is about 200 million is projected to be about 400 million by 2050 and they will need affordable houses.

Continuing, he said: “It may interest you to know that out of the 200 million Nigerians we have today, it is estimated that about half of that figure is living in the urban centres adding that it is the responsibility of any government most especially the President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration to make sure that affordable houses are provided for them.

“It is part of our mandate and that is why I am here on this inspection to see how I can assist the senior Minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola in fast tracking this laudable development,” he said.

He said that his choice of visiting the project was deliberate. “I chose the project deliberately as my first outing as a Minister because as it is christened, “Affordable Housing Development and Management Initiative of 2000 housing units to 2000 families right here in the Federal Capital territory and if we get it right, it will be a template that will be replicated all over the county and our drive is to see how we can get it at the lowest cost possible.”

Taking the Honourable Minister on tour of the project, the Head of Public Private Partnership of the Ministry, Abimbola Asein said that the Affordable Housing Development and Management Initiative was sitting on 113 hectares of land to provide affordable houses for Nigerians especially the low- and middle-income earners.

Arc. Asein said that the initiative was a public, private partnership programme to provide affordable houses for Nigerians.

She added: “The first phase of the project which commenced in December 2021 is to put the infrastructure (roads and drainages in place which is about 25% completed and we hope that when the houses are provided, they will be affordable to all Nigerians.”

Dec

02

2021

Over 10, 000 Applicants Subscribe To FG’s National Housing Programme

* As Ministry advices against use of invalid documents

As Nigerians continue to respond with enthusiasm to the Ministry of Works and Housing’s portal recently opened for an opportunity to subscribe to the Federal Government’s National Housing Programme, over 10,000 applications have been received through the portal.

However, following dedicated attention to the processing of the applications by the Web Management Team, the Ministry has advised applicants to ensure strict compliance to the requirements by uploading complete and only valid documents on the portal.

Responding to complaints by subscribers having difficulty in applying, the Ministry has re-emphasised the requirements for the online registration for the prospective applicants to be valid and successful as; passport photograph, current certified Tax Clearance/Payment Slip  and means of Identification such as current National I.D, Drivers licences, International passport and Voter Card as well as letter of first appointment and Gazette of confirmation of appointment (for Public Servants).

The Ministry explained the reasons why some applications are not successful to include; not having current Tax Clearance Certificate, evidence of Tax Clearance, no Pay Slip, non-submission of Memorandum of Acceptance (MOA), incomplete or inconsistent documents and not having valid means of Identification or submission of expired one.

The Ministry assured that all prospective applicants who complied with all the registration requirements will have a hitch free subscription and successful applicants for the homes will be notified via the e-mail addresses they supplied.  Alternatively, applicants can log in to their profile to check the status of their application.

The Ministry had recently launched an online Web-Portal: https://nhp.worksandhousing,gov.ng  for the sales of the completed houses across some states of the federation and the online sales is on-going.

The National Housing Programme (NHP) is a Federal Government of Nigeria’s development agenda for addressing Housing needs.

The programme commenced in the year 2016 in 34 States and the FCT.

Following an approval by the Federal Executive Council, the completed housing units all over the country are to be sold to low and medium income groups through mortgage and Rent-to-Own subscription windows

With the unveiling of the portal, Nigerians can now apply for the houses in the 34 states and  FCT of the country by paying a Non-Refundable application fee of N10, 000.00 (Ten Thousand Naira) only through Remita. Thereafter, a pin would be generated for the applicant access to the portal to complete the application process.

The breakdown of the status update as recorded on they web-portal platforms as at Thursday, shows that, out of the total number of 10,543 applicants, 10,206 applications are pending, 238 applications have been successfully submitted and 115 applications were approved.

The Ministry hereby appeal for strict compliance with the stipulated requirements for easy processing and approval of applications.

Nov

19

2021

National Housing Programme: We have  received over 7000 applications  Within Seven days- Fashola

Works and Housing Minister, Mr. Babatunde Fashola  SAN, has revealed that 7315 applications have so far been received for the purchase of the Federal government's National Housing Programme within the first week of launching the online portal.

Fashola who was speaking before the Senate Committee on Housing, Thursday, November 18th, 2021, declared " As at today, 7315 applications have been received so far and the number is still growing."

The Minister explained that the Ministry had been working and  progress at selling the  houses to the public had been recorded, hence the online platform was launched inorder to be open and transparent in the sale of the houses and avoid unnecessary interference by some vested interests.

Fashola stated that the categories of the houses are different from what is available in the open market. Fashola who noted that the type of houses being  offered for sale were  generous interms of space added that one bed room is 60sqm, 2 bedroom 76sqm and the 3 bedroom has 110sqm pointing out that the size is  larger than what is obtainable in other developers

On the prices, Fashola  said, " There are 1,2, 3 bedrooms, some of which are bungalows while others are flats. The minimum house is N7.2m and the highest is about N16m "

Fashola stated that  the Ministry carried out a survey to come up with the type of houses Nigerians desire to live in to avoid the unfortunate incidence in the past where some houses that were built were at variance with the peoples need.

Speaking on the rational behind launching of the online portal for intending buyers of  the houses, he said " our thinking is based on experience and what we think is right. This is a digital age. If we buy air ticket and book hotels through the internet we believe we could do the same in applying for the houses." He however added that the system may not be perfect just like every other human endeavour but the Ministry had done what is believed to be best practice  at the moment.

On the requirements for purchase, the minister listed ; passport photographs, tax clearance and means of clear identification, N10 thousand application fee amongst others. He also stated  that it is not possible for one to buy more than one house.

On why the prices of some  of  these houses differ in different states, Fashola cited difference in topography and cost of building as the  determining factors,  as the cost of building houses in Bayelsa for example is higher than doing same  in Osogbo.

While responding to question on the affordability of the houses, the Minister said, "Affordability is not just a  function of the cost but also the mode of payment, that is why we have created the rent  to own option of payment." he said.

The Senate Committee Chairman on Housing, Senator Sam Egwu, commended the Honourable Minister on his commitment to the housing delivery for Nigerians.

Nov

14

2021

THE KEYNOTE SPEECH BY H.E BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN AT THE EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 2021 GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CONVENTION LECTURE

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me start my speech by thanking you for inviting me to be your guest speaker at your convention for this year.

I sincerely hope that this year’s convention is not only successful but extremely rewarding of the efforts that have gone into arranging it.

The history of Alumni Associations of universities is quite dated and well reported and you have become part of a global network of similar associations who have contributed to enriching the human civilisation worldwide.

I however have some concerns about the negative presumption in the title you have selected, which is “Tragedy of leadership without legacy; Safeguarding the next generation of Nigerian leaders.”

I prefer to always see my glass and that of Nigeria as half full and not half empty.

In this regard, I look for triumphs and not tragedies.

So, let me share with you a triumph and a legacy.

Up until 21st of March 1982, there was no state university in the old Ondo state and there was no Ekiti state as a legal entity. Indeed, the idea that an Ekiti state would one day own a university was not in contemplation.

But all of these changed on the 22nd of March 1982 by the action of Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, as the Governor of the then Ondo state, when he created the Ondo State University.

That was an act of leadership, to create an institution of higher learning to prepare the next generation and make them ready to lead.

That action was triumphant and not tragic. 

And it would seem that the then Ondo state university was a worthy legacy that any leader in the public or private sector would be proud of.

But the triumphs and legacies did not stop there.

To the credit of the Babangida Administration and in response to the yearnings of the people of Ekiti who were then part of Ondo State, Ekiti state was birthed as a legal entity in 1996.

It is extremely doubtful that if a referendum were held today to return Ekiti to become part of the old Ondo state, that such a referendum will find majority support if it finds any support at all.

The reason why such a referendum will almost certainly fail, if it ever emanates in the first place, is that the people of Ekiti are proud of their state.

That is a legacy, and I dare say, a triumph, not a tragedy of leadership.

Yes, there are those who at the time did not want the military to remain and I am one of them, but we cannot dismiss something as worthy as Ekiti state, because we dislike those who produced it or the system by which they did it.

It might interest you to find out how the law that finally abolished slavery in America was passed and the efforts of Abraham Lincoln to get parliamentary support for it.

The process by which the support of the law makers was obtained for the Abolition Law are not necessarily worthy of badges of honour, but the abolition of slavery, the freedoms they delivered for the human mind and dignity remain enduring and triumphant legacies of leadership.

Some of you may be aware of the Battle of Normandy. This was the last push of a global coalition in 1944 to stop a German advance on Europe and by extension the whole world.

Recent declassification of military records now reveals that it was not just bravery alone that won the contest.

But the legacies of freedom that the triumph of the coalition forces delivered is with us today.

The aftermath of that effort led to the birth of the United Nations and the prescription of a new global legal order that has regulated the conduct of human affairs till today.

Away from history and back to Ekiti, the triumphs do not end, and the legacies continue.

One of them is the Alumni Association whose guest I am today. Without Ekiti State, and without Ekiti State University, from where would an alumni association of an Ekiti State University sprung forth?

So, to you my dear brothers and sisters, do away with negativity, look for possibilities, acknowledge little and modest successes, and let us work together to build for a better tomorrow.

Those who propel us to think negatively are not only thinking positively and acting positively, they are benefiting from our negativities. Therefore, I urge you to seek to do good things for a good reason not because we want to correct a bad thing.

For too long, our developmental aspirations have been anchored on “correcting what was wrong” when it can be anchored on an aspiration for self-improvement.

As someone once put it, we should not delegitimize in order to legitimize.

So for example, a Government in office, should build a waterworks for the people not because it has never been built before or because the previous government failed to build it, but because water is life, water is good for sanitation and for health care and water promotes wellness.

Therefore, at a recent event where I was invited to speak about the role of private sector in funding infrastructure gap and housing deficit, I modified the subject by removing “gap” and “deficit” from the topic.

I did so for a couple of reasons not least of which is the negativity that I perceived about those words and my subject.

I did so in part because I am aware that every part of the world is committing to building more infrastructure and housing because it helps the economy, and it creates jobs and not because they want to fill the “gap” or bridge a “deficit.”

I did so also because I know that President Buhari’s investment in infrastructure and housing is not meant to fill a gap or bridge a deficit; but to grow the Nigerian economy to global competitiveness and to invest in the Nigerian people.

Therefore, we must not only acknowledge what has been done by those before us, we as the leaders of today must embrace our responsibility to safeguard the next generation of Nigerian leaders.

We must then ask ourselves what we can do, to improve on the triumph of the legacy of Chief Michael Ajasin, in order to prepare the future for our children and our children’s children.

In this regard, we must be aspirational, forward-looking and ready to take responsibility for what happens in one generation. 

If we keep looking backwards, we will be looking for who to blame. The energy spent in looking for “scapegoats” and there are none, can be spent visioning and planning for tomorrow.

So let us look at today and what we have, in order to possibly project what we will need and prepare how to do them.

In this regard I can only offer suggestions as I do not profess to have all the ideas or answers.

But a good starting point is to accept that our world is changing and will continue to change. Therefore, we must prepare to adapt in order to safeguard the next generation.

At the onset of the industrial revolution, the subsequent discovery of crude oil and its amenability to being refined was the Holy Grail of that period.

It birthed a new economy of high-powered petrol and diesel driven machines that created global prosperity.

That is going away now as the world commits to a Net Zero carbon world from around 2050 and beyond. That is one generation away and we must prepare.

We must prepare by getting ready to acquire skills that will be useful to thrive in a Net Zero carbon environment and build our prosperity away from the carbon environment.

Another area is financial services. When last did you write a cheque? That was the ultimate symbol of financial inclusion or the ownership of a passbook, for those with savings accounts.

All of that is gone, many jobs have been lost with the disappearance of cheque books and replaced, but we still undertake financial transactions using different skills.

Bitcoins, cryptocurrency and of course our E-Naira are the new faces of financial transactions. To quote a popular saying in an adapted form - What will we think of next and how ready are we?

Of course, I cannot but discuss my personal passion which is Sports.

In about two generations, a pastime has become a profession that supports lives and livelihoods across the world among young people in the main, who are now professional sports men and woman.

A massive economy has been built around it including innovation, research and development for equipment, medicine, nutrition and officiating.

The sports that our parents told us was for “never do wells” is not only a major income earner globally, it is a source of projecting global sovereign strength.

Our plan for the next generation must include preparing our children to proudly deploy their skills in a professional way in the sporting arena.

While sports has struggled, the other sides of the talent based vocation such as music, dance, theatre and arts are prospering in varying degrees.

We must prepare the next generation to multiply the gains and consolidate on the success of today.

There are many things that we need to do and this occasion and the time permitted, do not lend themselves to an exhaustive consideration of those things.

But one thing that this occasion lends itself to, and which time permits us to do, is that this convention can (and I recommend that it must) be used to liberate our minds.

We must at this convention resolve to unshackle our minds from negativity, and embrace positive and aspirational thoughts.

After all, we can only do things that we can think of.

Therefore, the greatest bequest we can give the next generation is a gift of a belief in possibilities. If we do not believe how can we pass it on?

I do, I believe in the endless possibilities of Nigeria. What about you?

I acknowledge the triumphs and legacies of many who came before me, and even if I criticize some of their choices, I do not disown the foundations they contributed to where I stand today.

I am resolved to improve on what I inherited and pass it on to those who will come after me. This in part explains why the Federal Government through the Ministry of Works and Housing is undertaking repairs and reconstruction of internal Roads in 44 Tertiary institutions and the list of beneficiaries is growing.

What about you? What are you prepared to do to improve on what you inherited?  

Thank you once again for inviting me. Thank you for listening.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Works and Housing

Nov

10

2021

Budget 2022: Our focus is to Complete Ongoing Housing Projects – Fashola

…As Ministry launches web-portal for subscription to completed homes under FG’s National Housing Programme on Friday

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN has told the National Assembly Joint Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development that the priority of the Housing Sector in the 2022 Budget was completion of ongoing projects.
 
Fashola spoke during the defense of the Housing Sector’s 2022 Budget proposals before the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development on Tuesday, November 9th, 2021.

He said, " Mr Chairman you may wish to note that the sector's 2022 Budget Proposals was prepared taking into cognizance the Federal Government's Thrust, as articulated in the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP). In carrying out its mandate the sector has resolved to pursue completion of ongoing projects with the adequate and timely release of budgetary allocation."
 
The Minister also revealed that the Ministry would be launching the National Housing Programme’s web-portal on Friday to enable interested Nigerians to commence the process of subscribing to completed houses under the programme.
 
He explained that the platform would include the mode of payment that would ensure transparency in the process of acquisition of the houses and other features that would help avoid the risk of double allocation.
 
According to the Minister, the priority areas which the 2022 Housing Budget was anchored on include: Federal Government’s National Housing Programme and construction and completion of Federal Secretariats in six States of Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Nasarawa, Osun and Zamfara States.
 
Others include provision of Infrastructure (road, electricity and water) through special intervention programmes in various locations in the country; and continuous intervention programmes through constituency projects that meet the needs of the grassroots as well as providing them with dividends of democracy.
 
On the performance of the 2021 Budget, Fashola told the Committee that , despite the Covid-19 pandemic that disrupted implementation from March 2020 the Housing Sector had achieved completion of several projects.
 
He listed the projects to include; design and installation of solar power PV microgrid system and energy retrofitting at the headquarters of the Ministry in Mabushi, major rehabilitation and restoration of 24 existing Federal Secretariats in 24 States and numerous constituencies, direct mandate and zonal intervention projects that have direct impact and bearing on the lives of the citizens, among others.
 
Speaking on the challenges, the Minister mentioned the maintenance and operation of public buildings which he said must adopt best practices in applying health and safety measures, such as routine maintenance, lowering costs, proactive workforce and leveraging technology.
 
Other challenges, apart from insufficient budgetary provision for projects according to the Minister were; the National Housing Programme being bedevilled by high cost of building materials; and the inability of some States to donate unencumbered land for the take-off of the phase II and III of the National Housing Programme.
 
Several members of the Joint Committee commended the Ministry for a detailed and well outlined presentation.

Oct

22

2021

Fashola Calls On States To Re-Commit To Housing Development

Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN has called on State Governments to recommit to housing development in their respective states in order to increase access to affordable housing to the citizenry.

Fashola spoke in his keynote address at the meeting of the Honourable States' Commissioners responsible for housing matters during the10th Meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development held in Lagos State.

The theme of the meeting is "Housing Development as a Catalyst for Job Creation, Social Inclusion and Economic Development."

The Minister explained that the inequality among the nations and people can be reduced drastically if housing need of the poor is considerably addressed in the states. 

"These are some of the reasons why I seek to persuade all of you to go back to your States to persuade your Governors to re-commit to housing development. I said re-commit, because I am aware that many states are doing something, but you will agree that there is a scope to improve and scale up," he said

“One reason why this will require an All of Government Action is the fact That land is a critical component of capital formation and it is controlled by the states (not the Federal Government)and I am persuaded that appropriate, targeted and purposeful use of land, such as for  the development of housing by the states and private sector, will unleash prosperity in all states that aggregates to national prosperity,” Fashola explained.
 
The Minister gave example of Lagos State days of the LEDB, LSDPC and Lateef Jakande has been and added that the present Governor Babajide Sanwo- Olu, remains example of what state governments can do to deepen housing supply and reap the benefits that comes with it.
 
Buttressing his position, Fashola stated that land and housing is a sub-national matter of jurisdictions, pointing out that what the states do to facilitate processing of land titles, documentation, Certificate of Occupancy and other Geographic Information (GIS) details will go a long way in facilitating easy housing delivery.
 
Accordingly, he stated that appropriate, targeted and purposeful use of land, such as for the development of housing by the states and private sector, will unleash prosperity in all states that aggregates to national prosperity.
 
The Minister informed the meeting that the Federal Government is undertaking a National Housing Programme in 34 states aggregating to about 5,000 housing units, and trying to complete an inherited ministerial pilot housing scheme across the states which has a little over 6,000 units.

Fashola said that the decisions to recommit to housing development by State governments would facilitate the creation of variety of jobs because the services of various professionals in the built industry such as town planners, architect would be required, adding that artisans like masons, plumbers, carpenters and food vendors  would not be left out of the value chain of prosperity resulting from economic development.

"When construction actively starts, ‘the economic explosion happens, supplies of sand, cement, reinforcements, roofing, plumbing, painting, and other components get to work" and "this drives a critical business in all our states, the micro small and medium enterprises who make or supply these building components, “he emphasized.

In the same vein, he explained that the Federal Housing Authority and Federal Mortgage Bank are also intervening as federal agencies in respective housing development directly through cooperative societies and the provision of development loans and mortgage loans.

But all these, he added, account for only a small amount of the need across the nation for many reasons not excluding the limited amount of land available to these federal agencies.

In his opening remarks, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while assuring participants at the council of implementing the recommendations of the meeting, disclosed that the state had begun to implement the commendations agreed on at the 9thNationalCouncil on Lands Housing and Urban Development, on making land available for Building by providing lands to build a mini city at Imota in Ikorodu   Division of Lagos State.

He said the state would develop about 3,500 housing units of 2 and 3 bedrooms in phases for civil servants and those in the informal sector who fall within the category of low-income earners and to be acquired at a single digit interest rate mortgage plan that could span a period of 15years. He added that his administration was determined to develop decent homes within the states as well as meet the housing needs of the citizens irrespective of their location.

Mr Governor, who said that home ownership was a vital tool for taking people out of poverty, assured the council that Lagos State would collaborate with the Private sector to adopt the monthly rent payment as proposed by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN.

In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works And Housing, Babangida Hussaini, commended the excellent leadership of the works and housing sectors.

He also noted the commitment of Council Members to the 10th Meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development and urged them to go back and implement the Council Resolutions.

Apr

22

2022

REMARKS BY H.E. BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE BOARD AND MANAGEMENT OF FEDERAL MORTGAGE BANK OF NIGERIA (FMBN) ON THURSDAY, 21ST APRIL, 2022

When the founders of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) conceived of it in the 1970s, they were clear in their minds of a few things.

One of the things was that they were creating a Bank, in every sense of the word, and that they were creating a specialized Bank, which they intended to do only one thing – to provide Mortgage Banking services.

All of these are self-evident from Section 1(i) where it was provided that:

i. There is hereby established a Mortgage Bank to be known as the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (in this Act referred to as “the Mortgage Bank”)

In Section 5 of the Act the functions of the Mortgage Bank are set out clearly as follows:

“The functions of the Mortgage Bank shall be to:

a. provide long-term 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 by the Federal Government, being rates and terms designed to enable the mortgage institutions to grant comparable facilities to Nigerian individuals desiring to acquire houses of their own;

b. license and encourage the emergence and growth of the required number of viable secondary mortgage institutions to service the need of housing delivery in all parts of Nigeria;

c. encourage and promote the development of mortgage institutions at rural, Local, State and Federal levels;

d. supervise and control the activities of mortgage institutions in Nigeria;

e. collect, manage and administer the National Housing Fund in accordance with the provisions of the National Housing Fund Act; and

f. do anything and enter into any transaction which in the opinion of the Board is necessary to ensure the proper performance of its functions under this Act.

The powers of the mortgage Bank are set out in Section 6 as follows:

i. Without prejudice to the generality of section 5 of this Act, the Mortgage Bank shall have power to:

a. accept deposits and savings from mortgage institutions and other institutional depositors;

b. issue its own securities, including debentures and bonds under Federal Government guarantees and issue promissory notes and other bills of exchange for the purpose of raising funds from financial institutions;

c. establish a sinking fund for the redemption of securities by the Mortgage Bank and provide for contributions by it to the sinking fund;

d. carry out research aimed at improving housing patterns and standards in both urban and rural areas of Nigeria; and

e. carry out research on mortgage finance activities and the building construction industry in Nigeria;

f. provide and operate, in collaboration with reputable insurance companies, a mortgage protection system designed to guarantee liquidity to mortgage institutions as well as afford them the opportunity of having liberal premium terms; and

g. do anything and enter into any transaction which in its opinion is necessary to ensure the proper performance of its functions under the Act.

Ladies and Gentlemen, 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.

As a creature of Law, you are forbidden from making the Bank do anything that the Law does not authorize it to do, and you can become individually and corporately liable for non-compliance with 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 has been made to do 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.

In addition I expect this Management and Board to bring to a Lawful end, all other ventures into which the Bank has dabbled which are not supported by Law.

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.

Your primary mandate is to re-position this Mortgage Bank as the pre-eminent Mortgage Bank for Nigeria as envisioned by the founders.

This is why you will see that majority of the Members of the Board are either Bankers by training or Bankers by work experience spanning several decades.

The reason is clear, all the regulatory obligations that the Bank has to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) must be complied with.

I would advise that the Board and Management should at the earliest opportunity engage with the CBN and agree a Schedule of Compliance and Implementation of all reform initiatives including the computerization of the operations of the Bank which has begun.

As you will see, not only is there a prevalence of Bankers amongst your ranks, there is diversity of ethnicity, gender and religion.  Every Zone of the 6 Zones in Nigeria is represented and from 1 female member, we now have 3 female members of the Board.

Please let me be also very clear that this is a huge privilege for you as it has been for me, to be amongst the few Nigerians involved in the public service of our country.

It is not an opportunity for self-help but an opportunity to help others, especially to own a home, by rendering selfless service.

Therefore, I will share with you the advice I have shared recently with an institution I inaugurated last week.

We are not in our homes; we are in a public space, where we have to work with others in a team to achieve results.  Those other people may not speak like us or dress like us, or even eat what we eat or pray like us.  But they are part of us, a part of the diversity that we have been enriched with.

If we manage our ego, we will realize that they are not different from us and we have a lot in common and we can learn a lot from each other.

Remember as Ryan Holiday said in his book, “ego is the enemy.”

Please manage your individual ego and help us to solve the problem of access to housing and do not become the problem.

Let me be clear that the Ministry will give you every reasonable and lawful support but we will not hesitate this time to recommend to Mr. President, the removal of any nominee who falls short of the standards, or becomes a problem.

In other words, your tenure of 4 years on the Board and 5 years on the Management Committee are not guaranteed but subject to performance.

In addition to all your responsibilities, I expect you to quickly advert your attention to the completion of the over 2,000 Housing Units at various levels of completion under the Ministerial Pilot Housing Scheme.

I cannot end my remarks without a word of gratitude to the immediate past Board and Management for their service which is deeply appreciated and will not be forgotten.

On behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, it is my honour and pleasure to inaugurate the Board and Management of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria as now reconstituted.

I wish you a successful tenure of service.

Apr

15

2022

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.

Apr

01

2022

National Housing Programme Commissioning: FG Hands Over Houses To Uche, Amunike And Agu In 0werri, Imo State
 
...Beneficiaries praise PMB and Fashola for redeeming the 1994 promises to Super Eagles Team 

...Beneficiaries condemn  incessant vandalisation of FG infrastructure across the country.

...PMB Commisions National Housing Project in Owerri.

As the progressive train of the impactful season of completion and   commissioning in the Housing Sector moved to the South East region, Uche Okafor, Emmanuel Ammunike and Alloy Agu of the  22 members of the 1994 Super Eagles have received the keys and title deeds to the houses allocated to them by the Federal Government. 

President Muhammadu Buhari handed over the houses to them during the commissioning ceremony of the completed houses under the first Phase of the National Housing Programme (NHP) at Avu Town in Imo state on Thursday, 31st March,2022.  
The President, with elation, in his remark, stated that the housing project across Nigeria has provided government with the opportunity to make the impossible possible by remembering to redeem the promise of providing houses for the nation’s Super Eagles Squad for winning the 1994 African Nation’s Cup.

“The progressive ideals of our government seek to achieve one objective which is to improve human condition but there is more to our message of change and improving human conditions in these housing projects. They make possible that which is impossible,” said President Buhari.
He said, “It provides an opportunity to remember our heroes, the valiant Super Eagles to whom our country made a promise to provide housing for winning the 1994 African Cup of Nations, which has remained unfulfilled.”  
Represented by the Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, the President said, “On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, I feel proud and privileged to redeem the promise Nigeria made to these patriotic Nigerians, even if belatedly.”
In addition, “As the saying goes, it is better late than never and I have approved allocation to redeem the outstanding allocations to 22 members of the Super Eagles in National Housing Estates located in their states of choice, and their keys and title documents will be handed over at the commissioning in their states while the remainder of the housing is allocated to willing members of the public,” said the President.

Earlier the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola,SAN, who was represented by Director, Public Buildings and Housing, Arc. Solomon Labafilo  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  first served basis.” 

“Today in Imo state at Along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, we have completed and are handing over 68- units of housing comprising, 24-units in condominium( 1bedroom-4, 2bedroom-16, 3 bedroom-4), 28 units 2 bedroom and 16 units 3 bedroom bungalows,” Fashola revealed.
The Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr. Chkwunwike Uzo who was represented by the Zonal Director South East National Housing Programme Federal Ministry of Works and Housing Arc. Iquo Lucy Uzodinma remarked “For the benefit of Nigerians on this initiative, over 1,200 building contractors have been engaged under phases I, II, and III of the programme since the inception in 2016 and over 14,500 and 50, 140 direct and indirect jobs have been created. 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 Traditional Prime Minister of the host community, Avu, Major General Rowland Ogbonna (Rtd) said they are part of the Federal Government as members of the community and they are part of the process in actualizing the project in the area. He said it took determined effort of the community to ensure that the project was successful without hindrance.  “We endorse and appreciate the National Housing in the community,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Ex Super Eagle Captain and Goal Keeper who was also the Assistant Coach  of the Super Eagles, Alloy Agu said “It is a day of fulfillment after waiting for 27 years plus and today we are able to receive what we have long waited for. We thank God and we appreciate the Federal Government for redeeming this pledge.”

On issue of the vandalisation of federal government projects going on across Nigeria, Agu responded, “My advice is that we have to take good care of Nigeria. We stand for Nigeria within and outside the shores to make sure that this country is being protected and we can’t be among those that will be destroying what Nigeria has achieved. We have to secure Nigeria and not to destroy it.”

Mrs. Uche Nwanze who stood for the family of the late ex super eagle, Uche Okafor who is also a beneficiary remarked “I thank the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari for remembering the beneficiaries at this time and I also thank Mr Raji Babatunde Raji Fashola.”  
While advising the youths she said, “People must not resort to spoiling government properties for any reason, rather they must exert their energies in learning skills and protect government infrastructure.”
Emmanuel Amunike, the third beneficiary who was represented by Balogun Adewale at the event said, “It is unbelievable and it is reality after 27years that this handing over is taking place today.”

Encouraging the citizens to be united and supportive of government projects, Amunike said, “Ths is our country; we don’t have any other we can go, Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa have to come together so that we can make this country great.”
One of the contractors, the Facility Manager of National Housing Programme Imo State,  Felme Consults Nig. Ltd Mr. Felix Abunde said, “Federal Ministry of Works and Housing led by Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN has responded speedily towards the completion of this project and funding was never an issue that is why the project is completed as at the time due.” My advice to the youths is that they must do the right thing by acquiring the relevant skills and certificates because this present government has given opportunity to Nigerians to be involved in procurement process and projects “ 
Chiekzie Anyeabu, an alluminium fabricator who revealed he was the one who installed all the windows of the houses had this to say, “I thank Fashola he has been creating jobs for the masses through the construction of National Housing Programme across the country for the Igbos, Yorubas and the Hausas and other tribes. I also thank him for helping us to showcase our work.” 

Ikeji Ethelo, a food seller at the site said her sales in snacks and drinks have been more than double since the commencement of the project and thanked Federal Government for creating the opportunities to increase her income and take home pay.
Representatives of Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, State Governments, Traditional rulers, members of the community and relevant stakeholders were all at the event.
 

Mar

31

2022

Welcome Address By The Ag. Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry Of Works And Housing, Engr. C.O Uzo Represented By Director Highways (South-East), Arc. Iquo Lucy Uzodinma At The Commissioning Of The National Housing Programme In Imo State On Thursday, 31st March, 2022.

Protocols

1.    It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to this significant event in the affairs of our National life. I welcome all the eminent and distinguished invited guests to the occasion of the commissioning of the first phase of the National Housing Programme Initiative.

2.    On behalf of the Honourable Minister Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, Directors and Head of Units, Federal Ministry of Works & Housing, I welcome all distinguished invited Guests, the Royal Fathers and the entire people of Imo State to this event.

3.    As part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s developmental agenda of addressing Housing needs in Nigeria, the Federal Government inaugurated a pragmatic National Housing Programme (NHP) for the construction of acceptable and affordable houses nationwide. The first phase of the programme commenced in the 2016, in 34 States and FCT.

4.    The National Housing Programme is being implemented by the Ministry of Works and Housing, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN. It is a Programme borne out of the present Government's desire to provide affordable housing for its citizenry.

5.    Further to the above, the Ministry 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. The overall economic value chain arising from the housing construction activities is mostly beneficial to the Nigerian youths.

6.    The Ministry has successfully constructed housing schemes under this Programme in 35 States, except for Lagos State where land has not been donated by the state government for the programme. The housing types currently available comprise of 1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom and 3 Bedroom semi-detached bungalows and condominiums. The Philosophy behind the National Housing Programme is the provision of pilot scheme that is affordable, accessible and acceptable as contained in the National Housing Policy. The approach to the design and use of materials take cognizance of the cultural and climatic peculiarities of the regions while responding also to the tenets of the Building Energy and Efficiency Code (BEEC) being championed by the Ministry.

7.    For the benefit of Nigerian on this initiative, over 1,200 building contractors have been engaged under phases I, II and III of the programme since the inception in 2016 and over 14,500 and 50,140 direct and indirect jobs have been created. 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 35 States and FCT.

8.    At this juncture, I welcome you all once again to the commissioning of this laudable initiative in Imo State.

Thank you and God bless you.

Mar

15

2022

Kaduna, Kogi, Osun States’ Residents Upbeat As FG Commissions 228 Housing Units

·         President  says housing estates being commissioned represent fulfillment of the promise of Change by his administration
·         Fashola reiterates determination of government to ensure transparency of bidding process in acquiring the houses through the National Housing Portal
·         Project is not only addressing the housing deficit but also providing jobs for Nigerians as well as stimulating the economy – Governor El-Rufai
·         Lawmakers, Traditional Rulers hail FG “for continuous efforts in alleviating the problem of housing in the country, especially for the less privileged

Kaduna, Kogi and Osun States Monday, March 14, 2022 received the progressive train of the administration of President Buhari moving across the country as the Federal Government commissioned a total of 228 housing units in the States, bringing to five the number of States where the government’s Season of Completion and Impact in the Housing Sector has delivered houses in the last two weeks.

Other States where the train has stopped over during the period include Nasarawa State where President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Hon. Muhammed Abdullahi, commissioned 76 housing units located in Lafia, the State capital and Delta State where the President, represented by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, commissioned 68 housing units all under the administration’s National Housing Programme (NHP).

Out of the 228 housing units delivered at Monday’s Commissioning, Kaduna State got 80 units, while Kogi State got 76 and Osun State 72 units of houses which are in the categories of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom bungalows and condominium as is also being built in 34 states of the Federation in the first Phase.

In his keynote address at the commissioning ceremonies, President Buhari reiterated the commitment of his administration to the fulfillment of its campaign promise of Change to the people of Nigerian in 2015 adding, “The housing estates being commissioned today is an example of the fulfillment of the promise of Change we made”.

President Buhari who was represented at the commissioning by the Honourable Ministers from the respective beneficiary states also stated that the housing estates was a clear manifestation of the progressive ideals of his administration to improve the human condition of Nigerians.

In Kaduna State, the President was represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Muhammed Mahmoud Abubakar,  while the Minister of  State, Federal Capital Territory, Ramatu Tijjani represented him in Kogi State and Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola stood in for him in Osun state.

The President expressed delight that the desire and commitment of the administration towards improving the human condition was gaining more impetus as jobs were being created for the teeming populace via the housing estates, stating that people who have aspired for a long time to own a home were now seeing their dreams come true with the housing projects.

According to the President, “The business activities going on at the sites of these housing projects have added value to human condition, and Nigerians, especially at the bottom of the pyramid such as artisans, builders, skilled and unskilled workers and food vendors, are not left out of this economic value chain”. 

In his own remarks, the Minister of Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, noted that there is a great leap in the completion of projects all over the Federation as the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari draws to an end adding that the houses commissioned were open for subscription to the general public “in a non-discriminatory way through the National Housing Portal to ensure transparency of bidding processes in acquiring the houses”.

 "We welcome those who can afford to pay outright but it is not a condition for eligibility because we have offered other flexible payment options like Mortgages and Rent-to-Own which we encourage applicants to pursue”, the Minister said.

In his goodwill message at the commissioning In Kaduna state, the State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who was represented by his Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Arc. (Mrs.) Fausat Ibukunle, said the project was not only addressing the housing deficit in Nigeria, but also providing jobs for Nigerians as well as stimulating the economy.

Commending the President and the Minister of Works and Housing “for the laudable project”, the Governor, who said it would help improve and promote the welfare of the people of Kaduna State, added, “The engagement of the contractors, suppliers and all those that were employed in the building process has actually stimulated the economy”.

Also commending the President and the Minister for the project, the Senator representing Kaduna Southern Senatorial Zone, Senator Danjuma Laah,  noted that the developmental projects all over the country were outstanding, adding that the 9th National Assembly was happy and would be part of the success story by making sure they form part of the commissioning that would be done  all over the country.

In his own goodwill message, the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmad Nuhu Bamali, also commended the President and called for the institutionalization of a maintenance economy to ensure that the estate was maintained and kept in good condition.

In Osun State, the Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, who was represented by the State’s Commissioner for Lands and Physical Development, Mr. Nathaniel Agunbiade, disclosed that the state government provided 10.266 hectares of land at Abere for the housing project and called on Osun indigenes to key into the project while also urging the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to complete the phase two of the project. 

His Royal Highness, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, in his goodwill message, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the housing estate saying, “When the construction of the houses was ongoing, jobs were created for the people of this community and they benefited immensely from the construction activities."

Governor Yahaya Bello, who was represented at the Kogi State phase of the event by his Special Adviser on Project Monitoring, Alhaji Usman Ochidi, thanked President Buhari “for the promise kept for the Kogites”.

"I thank and appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari and the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, for what they have done across the country for the benefit of all Nigerians. I appreciate all those who worked tirelessly to accomplish this project," he said.

Also, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Housing, Senator (Dr.) Sam Egwu, represented by Senator Jibril Isah Echocho, expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for the continuous efforts in alleviating the problem of housing in the country, especially for the less privileged who, he noted, “are now enjoying the series of change that is taking place in Nigeria”.

The Maiyaki of Lokoja, Alhaji Halilu, who represented His Royal Highness, Alhaji Kabir Mohammed Maigari lll, described the commissioning of the houses as “clear evidence of promise kept by the President”, adding, "Right from the onset, we know that all things being equal, this housing estate will be completed and commissioned before the end of this administration bearing in mind Mr. President's zero tolerance for abandoned projects. We are grateful”

Mar

10

2022

Speech By The Hon. Minister Of Works And Housing At The Commissioning Of The National Housing Programme In Delta State On Thursday,10th March, 2022.

On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari, I bring glad tidings and best wishes to the people and Government of Delta State.

We gather together to harvest the fruit of our investment and to commemorate the completion of the National Housing Programme’s Pilot in Delta State.

As we head towards the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure of office, I am happy to also say that we enter a season of completion when many projects such as this begin to bear fruit.

In 34 States of Nigeria, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works and Housing, has delivered projects like this with the support of the State Governors who provided the land.

Today in Delta State at Issele Azagba, Aniocha North LGA, we have completed and we are handing over 68-units of Housing comprising, 24-units in condominium (1 bedroom-4, 2bedroom-16, 3 bedroom-4), 28-units 2 (TWO) Bedroom and 16-units 3 (THREE) Bedroom bungalows.

There are many things to be said about this project, from its design to the Economic impact and the social impact on this community.

In terms of design, this project is the outcome of a national survey conducted by the Ministry of Works and Housing to find out the type of houses Nigerians desired.

The survey revealed a prevalent need for bungalows in the North of Nigeria and flats in the South of Nigeria.

The survey also revealed the need for space such that our houses have one-bedroom units of 60-70 sq. metres, Two-bedroom units of 76 – 103 sq. metres and Three Bedroom Units 110 – 137 of sq. metres.  These are extremely generous spaces compared to what is commonly available in the market.
This certainly ensures that the product that is delivered is acceptable to those it is intended for, while it is competitive in the market.

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 a first come, first served basis.

While we welcome those who can afford to pay outright, it is not a condition for eligibility and we have offered flexible payment options like mortgages and rent to own which we encourage applicants to pursue.

The story of these housing projects which are now visible and available in 34 States of Nigeria would be incomplete without the efforts of many Nigerians who contributed to its delivery.

To members of the private sector, especially Architects who volunteered their time to work with Architects and other staff of our Ministry at the conception stage to advise on the design, I thank you for your contribution to Nation building.

To my colleagues in the Federal Executive Council who supported this idea and approved the initiative; your votes have birthed fruits of development and impacted lives.

To the legislators in the 8th and 9th National Assembly and members of the Senate and House Committees on Housing, who questioned, challenged and supported us with year-on-year appropriation and undertook oversight visits to monitor progress, I believe your constituents can see from these houses, some evidence of your representation.

To our contractors, suppliers and all those employed in the building process, I thank you for contributing to nation building.

I will now conclude by inviting Mr. President to conduct the commissioning and handing over of this estate.

Thank you for your attention.

Mar

07

2022

SPEECH BY THE HON. MINISTER OF WORKS AND HOUSING REPRESENTED BY ARC. SOLOMON LABAFILO, DIRECTOR PUBLIC BUILDING & HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AT THE COMMISSIONING OF THE NATIONAL HOUSING PROGRAMME NASARAWA STATE ON MONDAY, 7TH, MARCH, 2022.

On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari, I bring glad tidings and best wishes to the people and Government of Nasarawa State.
We gather together to harvest the fruit of our investment and to commemorate the completion of the National Housing Programme’s Pilot in Nasarawa State.
As we head towards the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure of office, I am happy to also say that we enter a season of completion when many projects such as this begin to bear fruit.
In 34 States of Nigeria, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works and Housing, has delivered projects like this with the support of the State Governors who provided the land.
Today in Nasarawa State at Anguwan Rere, Along Shendam Road, Lafia, we have completed and we are handing over 76-units of Housing comprising, 4-units 1 (ONE) Bedroom, 48-units 2 (TWO) Bedroom, 24-units 3 (THREE) Bedroom Bungalows.
There are many things to be said about this project, from its design to the Economic impact and the social impact on this community.
In terms of design, this project is the outcome of a national survey conducted by the Ministry of Works and Housing to find out the type of houses Nigerians desired.
The survey revealed a prevalent need for bungalows in the North of Nigeria and flats in the South of Nigeria.
The survey also revealed the need for space such that our houses have one-bedroom units of 60-70 sq. metres, Two-bedroom units of 76 – 103 sq. metres and Three Bedroom Units 110 – 137 of sq. metres.  These are extremely generous spaces compared to what is commonly available in the market.
This certainly ensures that the product that is delivered is acceptable to those it is intended for, while it is competitive in the market.
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 a first come, first served basis.
While we welcome those who can afford to pay outright, it is not a condition for eligibility and we have offered flexible payment options like mortgages and rent to own which we encourage applicants to pursue.
The story of these housing projects which are now visible and available in 34 States of Nigeria would be incomplete without the efforts of many Nigerians who contributed to its delivery.
To members of the private sector, especially Architects who volunteered their time to work with Architects and other staff of our Ministry at the conception stage to advise on the design, I thank you for your contribution to Nation building.
To my colleagues in the Federal Executive Council who supported this idea and approved the initiative; your votes have birthed fruits of development and impacted lives.
To the legislators in the 8th and 9th National Assembly and members of the Senate and House Committees on Housing, who questioned, challenged and supported us with year-on-year appropriation and undertook oversight visits to monitor progress, I believe your constituents can see from these houses, some evidence of your representation.
To our contractors, suppliers and all those employed in the building process, I thank you for contributing to nation building.
I will now conclude by inviting Mr. President to conduct the commissioning and handing over of this estate.
Thank you for your attention.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Works and Housing

Mar

07

2022

SPEECH BY REPRESENTATIVE OF MR PRESIDENT, BARR. MOHAMMED ABDULLAHI, HONOURABLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, AT THE COMMISSIONING OF THE NATIONAL HOUSING PROJECTS IN NASARAWA STATE ON MONDAY 7^TH MARCH, 2022

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I am extremely proud to undertake the Commissioning of this Housing Estate in Nasarawa State, on behalf of the Federal Government.

This is one of the projects undertaken by our Government in Phases since 2016.

When our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), sought your mandate to form the Government in 2015, one of the things we promised was change.

This housing estate is an example of the fulfillment of that promise of change.

With the support of the Nasarawa State Government who provided the land, this place which was once unused land, amounting to no more than idle capital, has come alive and will now provide shelter for ordinary Nigerians.

This is a good example of some of the developmental possibilities that Inter-Governmental collaboration can produce and I am optimistic that with the provision of more land, the Federal Government certainly can do more.

Of course, the progressive ideals of our Government seeks to achieve one primary objective, which is to IMPROVE the human condition.

This housing estate has achieved that in many ways.

The Micro, Small and Medium size businesses who drive our economy were the ones who won the contracts to build these houses.  Not only did their successful bids offer an opportunity for these companies and their employees, through them we have unleashed a value chain of economic activities that improved the conditions of the ordinary Nigerians.

They engaged suppliers who benefit from sub-contracts for the supply of building materials from sand to cement, roofing and plumbing material to doors and electrical fitting.

In the process, the ordinary Nigerians at the bottom of the pyramid such as artisans, builders, skilled and unskilled workers and food vendors were not left out of this economic value chain.

These are some of the people our Country remains committed to move towards prosperity and away from poverty and we are already reaching them by providing opportunities for employment for those who were hitherto unemployed.

We certainly cannot meet every one of those Nigerians in person, but our economic policies and investment in infrastructure such as this National Housing Programme and others will reach and positively impact many of them.

Our desire and commitment towards improving the human condition and our message of change, have another facet beyond job creation.

It responds to those who have long aspired to own a home, and that dream has come true with this project.

But there is more to our message of change and improving the human condition in these housing projects.

They make possible, that which had seemed impossible.

In the states where the houses have been completed, we have issued maintenance contracts to small businesses to ensure that the estates are maintained and kept in good repair.

These are jobs that did not exist that we have created.

Of course we must not overlook the capital appreciation of the value of the adjoining land and the income benefit to the land owners from our investment in infrastructure.

Finally, I offer my appreciation to the Government and people of Nasarawa 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.

It is therefore my honour and privilege to declare this Housing Estate completed and open for use, for the benefit of humanity.

President Muhammadu Buhari

Feb

12

2022

2022 NUGA Games: Fashola Restates FG’s Commitment To Sports Development In Nigeria

...... As Minister receives Torch of Unity for the games from UNILAG’s Local Organizing Committee

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, Thursday restated the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to Sports Development in the country saying the administration has innovatively included Sports in the National Economic Development programme.

Fashola, who spoke at the Mabushi Headquarters of the Ministry when he hosted the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Local Organizing Committee of Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) who came to present the Unity Torch for this year’s NUGA games, described the game as “one of the many items of National Integration and Development”.

Noting that such events as sports festivals, academical games and so many other activities in the nation’s institutions represented efforts to reposition the youths for leadership and other national development roles, the Minister declared, “We must never underestimate the roles that the events played in defining the character of young men and women who are now leaders of today”.

 “We cannot have youth unemployment if we do what we should do with sports development”, the Minister said adding that the strategy was that “those that these critical games have produced will, through their camping and travels across the country, help national cohesion, help to break down barriers, help to produce trust”, adding that it would also “help us to see all of ourselves as the same after-all even if we worship differently and speak different languages”.

Commending the Minister of Sports and Youths Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, for securing the approval of the Federal Executive Council to include Sports in the National and Economic Programme, Fashola recalled, “It was a tough game to get Council to agree, but finally it is now part of our National and Economic programme”, adding that Sports is more than just the exercise, but also an economy. 

He also commended the University of Lagos for its efforts in taking the Torch of Unity across the country saying the effort would “bring into the consciousness of those who matter that this is something that all of us must support”.

 Earlier in his opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said the purpose of the visit was to invite the Minister to the NUGA Games 2022 adding that the presentation of the Torch of Unity was to create awareness ahead of the Games.

Describing the Minister as a Sports Lover, the UNILAG Vice Chancellor recalled the numerous contributions to Sports and football development in Lagos State when he was Governor of the State adding that about 75 Nigerian universities would participate in this year’s Games while 50 others would come from outside the country as observers.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Torch for 2022 NUGA Games to the Minister by his Sports and Youth Development counterpart and a group photograph with the delegation and other guests.
 

Feb

11

2022

We Are Evolving Strategies To Mitigate Climate Change - Fashola

...... says Ministry is committed to the Paris agreement signed by Mr. President

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, Thursday emphasized the commitment of the Federal Government to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change as signed by President Muhammadu Buhari saying his Ministry has streamlined its activities in line with the Agreement.

The Minister stated this on Thursday when the faculty members and participants of the Executive Intelligence Management (EIMC) Course 15 of the National Institute for Security Studies paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

Speaking on the theme of course 15 of the institute, “Global Climate Challenges, Prospects and Priorities for Economic Development and Conflicts Resolutions in Africa”, Mr. Fashola commended them for the choice of the theme which he said places emphasis not only on human capital development, but on national development.

On compliance to climate change, the Minister said that as a Ministry, The Management have a role to play both in terms of policy and delivery.  According to him, in the housing sector for instance, the Ministry has developed a national building code for effective building in terms of sizes of windows and materials for buildings that would affect the level of the impart of temperature. He added that the entire Ministry was now powered with energy saving bulbs with well over 400 air conditioners with energy efficiency.

On the Works sector, the Minister stated that the Ministry had embraced some new technology of recycling of used materials for road construction. “New technology of recycling is being used on the Abuja-Kano Highway, by recycling those materials used in the construction of the road in 1991. This again shows our level of compliance,” he said.

Speaking on water shortage as one of the major causes of conflict, he said that the human race has taken so much from nature that nature is fighting back. The dwindling water in the Lake Chad for instance has generated a lot of conflict in the Lake Chad region and environs. “That was why President Muhammadu Buhari has consciously drawn attention to the dwindling resources of Lake Chad and the consequent as it will generate,” he explained.

Delivering his speech, the Deputy-Commandant of the Institute, Didacus Egbeji, FSI said that the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), was the foremost security training Institute in Nigeria that prepares high-level security intelligence professionals, as well as senior level managers for critical roles in the sustenance of national security.

He said that the main objective of the institute was to train top level management with a broader outlook, intellectual depth and the capacity to deal efficiently and effectively with deep analytical insight into the development and utilization of available resources towards effective management of the complex security challenges in a democratic dispensation.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s course: “Global Climate Challenges, Prospects and Priorities for Economic Development and Conflicts Resolutions in Africa” he said that climate change has had adverse consequence bothering on our national development, infrastructure and the national security.

 He said that the purpose of the courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing was to get first-hand information on how the Ministry was adapting to the climate challenges in terms of human and capital development.

He added that the team would also be visiting other Ministries that are related to the theme of the course in order to have a general overview of Nigeria’s climate challenges and how Nigeria is coping with it.
 

Dec

29

2021

Infrastructure Development: Key to Socio - Economic Development ... Mu'azu Sambo

The newly appointed Minister of State for Works and Housing, Mr. Mu'azu Jaji Sambo has reiterated the fact that infrastructure development is germane to the socio- economic development of any nation, adding that Nigeria is not an exception.

Sambo made the reaffirmation today Wednesday December 29, 2021 while addressing management and staff of the Ministry led by the Permanent Secretary,  Babangida Hussaini who received him on assumption of office.

Sambo said, "Mr. President is a blessing to this country. I keep saying that the skeptics will not realize this until His Excellency  is gone; but some of us who know that socio-economic development is tied to massive infrastructure development know that President Muhammadu Buhari has chosen the right course."

The Minister cited China and Dubai in the United Arab Emirate as examples of nations that have developed rapidly due to their Infrastructural development. “I will be fulfilled  if within the time  I am going to be here I am able to help Mr. President leave some legacies behind in infrastructure development across the country. "

The Minister expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded him by the management and staff of the Ministry.

He expressed his readiness to work assiduously and harmoniously with the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing , Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola,  SAN who he described as a man of high intellect, competence and passion for development.

He said, “I assure you that I am a team player.  I will work and cooperate as much as possible with Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN whom I have known from Lagos as a man of high intellect, competence,  a man with a passion for development. I am ready to support him in achieving the agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari."

Earlier the Permanent Secretary Federal Minsitry of Works and Housing, Babangida Hussaini in his welcome address congratulated the Minister of State on his appointment and pledged the unalloyed support and cooperation of  the management and staff of the Ministry in the discharge of his responsibilities.

The Permanent Secretary informed the Minster of State that alot had been achieved in terms of Infrastructural development by this administration as a result of the strategic plans mapped out by the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing,  Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN.

Hussaini assured the new Minster that he would not find it difficult to work with others in the Ministry as everyone is in high spirit to work relentlessly to achieve the mandate set by Mr.  President for the Ministry.

Mu’azu Jaji Sambo who was appointed Minister of State for Works and Housing on Friday, December 24, 2021 was born in Jalingo,Taraba State on the 7th of September,  1959.

He attended Muhammed Nya Primary School from 1967 to 1973. He proceeded to Federal Government College Maiduguri between 1973 and 1978 where he obtained his WASC with grade one - distinction.

He further attended the School of Basic Studies Ahmadu Bello University  Zaria, Kaduna State  from 1978 to 1979 before proceeding to obtain  a Bachelor of Science Degree  in  Building with Second Class Upper from the same institution between 1979 and 1982.

He has a wealth of experience as he had worked in various capacities with several organisations both in the public and private sectors such as the National Inland Waterways Authority, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nicon Insurance Corporation, Allied Bank of Nigeria and Savannah Bank of Nigeria Plc.

He bagged many awards when he served with the National Inland Waterways. These include the Meritorious Service Award on Retirement in 2019, Best Area Office Award from 2017 - 2019, Special commendation for initiating and construction of new Area Office, Lagos in 2014 and Best Area Manager for Revenue Generation, Collection - Port Harcourt in 2010 and Special commendation on successful completion of the construction of Nicon Insurance Corporation Headquarters in Abuja to mention but a few.

He belongs to the following professional organisations: Nigerian Institute of Building, Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria, (MCRBN) and the Nigerian Institute of Management.

Nov

21

2021

Senate Committee Expresses Satisfaction As Nhp Portal Receives 7,315 Applications In Seven Days

·      As Fashola defends 2022 Budget before Senate Committee on Housing

·       Minister assures that there will be continuous review and updating of the process in order to maintain transparency, quality control

·      “We are also impressed that the data you gave to us showed that you’ve launched out.You’ve hit the ground running,” says Committee Chairman.

As Nigerians respond positively to the Ministry of Works and Housing portal opened last Tuesday for a chance to subscribe to the over 5,000 houses under the Federal Government’s National Housing Programme, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has announced that a total of 7,315 applications for allocation have already been received by the Ministry.

Fashola, who appeared before the Senate Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development in continuation of the defense of the 2022 Budget of his Ministry, also submitted to the Committee the documents showing the number of applications submitted and those completed and undergoing processing as well as a breakdown of the number according to States. 

And at the end of the defense, which took the form of a robust interaction, the Committee expressed satisfaction at the development in the Housing Sector with many, including the Chairman, Senator Sam Egwu, noting with delight that with the portal now opened, the Ministry has really launched out. 

Explaining the criteria for pricing of the different categories of houses, the Minister, who said the prices ranged from N7.2 million, representing the lowest and N16.5 million representing the highest price, pointed out that one of the factors that made the difference in price between the Programme’s houses and those being built by private developers was size. 

He told members of the Committee that the categories of the houses under the programme included 1, 2, 3 bed rooms semi- detached bungalows and condominium, (blocks of flats), adding that there are also price differentials among the categories of houses based also on the size and space with all the bungalows, for example, having adjoining land thereby making it more expensive than the flats.

Fashola explained on the prices placed on the categories of houses further, “When compared with what is obtainable in the Private Sector in terms of size, the one bedroom with 77sqm of living space, two bedroom with 90sqm, and the three bedroom with 137sqms, are by far larger than houses built by private developers and justifies the prices placed on them.”

The Minister, who also noted that one bedroom flat in condominium, is 60sqms, two bedroom flats, 76sqms while the 3 bedroom flat is 110sqms, all of which, pointed out that they are more spacious than what is available in the conventional market, adding, “You cannot get them at such price in the market”.

Urging the lawmakers and other interested Nigerians to engage with the portal for answers to all the relevant questions, including quality, size and appearance of the house in any location across the country, the Minister declared, “Our thinking is informed by what we have experienced in parts of our lives and what we think is best practice. We think this is the digital age and we should begin to do things that are consistent with the age, not printing and selling forms”.

In response to a question on possible manipulation of the system, he explained, “We should not be creating unnecessary bureaucracies that will bring about unnecessary human interactions and possibly some of the manipulations you refer to”, adding, “that does not mean that any system cannot be manipulated but we think that this is consistent with the objective of government”.

“We are now in a country where we now buy air tickets with our handheld devices. We book hotels with our handheld devices. I don’t see why we can’t buy and sell houses with our handheld devices and I have done it as Governor in Lagos and I thought we should try it at the national level”, the Minister said noting that the Federal Government itself has said that everybody should subscribe to various identification means like BVN and so on. “We think that that is where we should be going”, he said.

Noting that the portal was launched barely a week ago, Fashola again urged, “Let us give it time to evolve and I think that 7,315 applications from Nigerians within this time is a very enthusiastic response”, adding that all those who had applied had paid N10,000 online to the Remita platform.

“So contrary to the assumptions that because conditions are difficult, that form that you would have sold in printed form is being sold digitally and government is collecting the money for administrative purposes”, the Minister said adding that although it is open to all Nigerians, some of the conditions that address facelessness include having a passport photograph and a tax clearance certificate and other means of identification like national ID, driver’s license or International passport.
 
Responding to concerns raised about affordability of the houses, “Affordability is not just a function of the cost but also the mode of payment,” adding that in order to take care of that aspect, the Ministry created the mortgage and Rent-to-Own options so that the payment could be spread over time.
 
On whether the Ministry was not duplicating the works of its agencies, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Fashola, who noted that the Ministry as head and supervisor of the agencies, was only carrying out a pilot project from which the agencies would continue to roll out in the future. 

In his closing remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Sam Egwu, noted that the Minister had done justice to all the questions and thanked him for his diligence and commitment to housing delivery.   
 
“You will agree with me that the Minister has done justice to the questions we have asked him. We are also impressed that the data you gave to us showed that you’ve launched out. You’ve hit the ground running. So, we’ll continue to interact with you … Like I said, we are happy and my members are happy, that is why the Chairman House Committee is here too…”, the Chairman of the Committee said. 
 
Also present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Babangida Hussaini and Directors in the Housing Sector of the Ministry, Special Advisers and other relevant Ministry officials.

 

Nov

17

2021

Fashola Inaugurates 3 More Executive Directors For FHA Charges Them To Live Up To Expectations

Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN has inaugurated executive directors of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) with a call on them to live up to expectations in the discharge of their duties.

The inauguration of the three executive directors was done at the main Conference room at the headquarters of the Ministry in Mabushi, Abuja, Tuesday November 16th, 2021, brings to five the number of Exevutive Director of FHA.

Urging the new directors to vigorously avail themselves to the task ahead and work diligently to achieve them, Fashola listed the task as; estate development, Housing development and maintenance of the existing estates of Federal Housing Authority, pointing out the imperativeness to ascertain all the assets owned by the Authority.

He further explained that having a list of all the assets belonging to Federal Housing Authority would enable Federal Government meet the housing needs of Nigerians.

The Minister said, "The FHA has been repositioned to serve Nigerians in the area of housing delivery. We have taken steps to reposition the Federal Housing Authority to further deepen its ability to deliver service to Nigerians in terms of housing. One of the first thing that we did was to get Mr. President to approve the appointment of additional three executive directors which inauguration we do today".

" The board used to have two executive directors but to achieve improved service delivery and asset maintenance, a recommendation and Presidential approval was sought to increase the number" he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Babangida Hussaini, encouraged the FHA directors to work together, to re-organize and improve service delivery to Nigerians in terms of housing delivery.

Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated Directors, Mrs Hauwa Babakobi, the Executive Director, Estates Services pledged their readiness to work actively and effectively as a team towards the realization of thee objectives of the Federal Housing Authority.

The newly inaugurated directors were; Mrs Hauwa Babakobi Mohammed as the Executive Director, Estate Services, Mrs. Adama Kure as the Executive Director, Housing and Finance and Engineer Chinoso Sam Omole as Executive Director Project Implementation.

The new board has captured the six geo-political zones of Nigeria; it is gender friendly and an assembly of brilliant Nigerians who have vast experiences in various aspects of sectors.

Among others, the Executive directors are responsible for planning, and coordination of operational activities for their organization and are responsible for formulating policies and strategies to meet goals of the organization.

The FHA is a key agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, charged with the responsibility for the preparation of proposals for National Housing Programmes; execution of such housing programmes as may be approved by Government, and development and management of real estates on both commercial and profitable basis in all states of the Federation

Nov

13

2021

National Housing Programme: Nigerians Invited To Apply As Fashola Launches Portal For Sale Of Houses 

·      Over 5,000 houses up for sale across 34 states of the Federation, which construction generated jobs, economic growth, says Minister

·      Online sale to ensure credibility, openness and reduce human intervention, underhand practice

·      Encourages FHA, FMBN, to use portal, states to adapt portal for sales of their houses

·      President of NGE, Permanent Secretary, commend FG, Minister for commitment to housing delivery, innovativeness
 
Nigerians can now apply for houses built under the current Federal Government’s National Housing Programme (NHP) in 34 states of the country following the launch, Friday of the portal by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN through which interested members of the public could apply for allocation.
 
The formal launch of the portal https://nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng which took place at the Conference Room of the Ministry in Mabushi, Abuja, throws open the door for Nigerians to apply online to buy the available 5,000 plus housing units, ranging from 1, 2 to 3 bedroom bungalows and blocks of flats in any location of their choice.

In his remarks at the ceremony, which was attended by prominent stakeholders and media executives including the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors, Mr. Mustapha Isah, Fashola said the decision by the Ministry to sell the available houses online was to bring credibility to the exercise and reduce human intervention as well as give all categories of buyers a level playing field.
 
The Minister told his audience, “We converge here just to introduce a portal on which the National Housing Programme pilot will be offered for sale to the public.  What that means is that we will not be selling printed forms, the forms are online and this allows for more openness, limits human intervention and any disposition to any underhand practice”. 
 
Clarifying that the decision to adopt online sale of forms and limit human intervention was not an indictment of the staff, he added, “It is just to make the system more accountable and people seeing credibility if they win and if they are not successful they will equally know that the system has at least given them a fair chance”.

Fashola, who described the launch of the portal as “the end game of our economic objective”, explained that the government did not just set out to build houses, adding that the project has served many purposes, the first of which was to test what sort of houses Nigerians would like to live in so as to make policies to guide its agencies and parastatals, as well as other stakeholders, to build what could be acceptable in the markets.

“We are the policy head of those parastatals like the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and so on. We are saying that the National Housing Programme had not succeeded in the past and some of the houses built then still remain empty. So we conducted a national survey across the zones just to find out what is acceptable”, the Minister said.

The findings, he said, were that while in the Northern part of the country there was preference for bungalow and large expanse of land which encouraged building horizontally, in the Southern part, there seemed to be acceptance for blocks of flats and lack of space which made building vertically necessary.

Emphasizing that the current National Housing Programme is a pilot or demonstration scheme meant, among others, to galvanize private sector participation, Fashola explained further, “We applied for land from the states and we set out to do a demonstration or a pilot programme because we then wanted to validate what we saw and build a pilot scheme”.

“So as at today we have built 5,000 plus units in different stages of completion. We have done in Phase 1 and we have done in Phase 2 and some have started in Phase 3”, the Minister reiterated adding that the other purpose the scheme has served was to fulfill part of the objectives of the administration’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

He added, “It was also a way to implement our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) because as at the time we conceived this programme, the country was in recession”, expressing delight that it has fulfilled that objective because over 1,000 contractors were engaged on the building sites; “businesses owned by Nigerians and Nigerian contractors”.

Pointing out that no foreign contractor was engaged in the project, Fashola added that it was not only an opportunity for nation building but an opportunity for the contractors to sustain their staff.

In his goodwill message after the launch, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Mustapha Isah, commended the Federal Government for its commitment to housing delivery. He also commended the Minister for the innovations he has brought to bear at the national level, which, according to him, was a replication of his development initiatives as Governor in Lagos State.

Also in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Babangida Hussaini commended President Buhari and the Minister for their commitment to programmes and projects that promote prosperity for the citizens and grow the nation’s economy.

Aside the NGE President, other media personalities present were the Special Assistant, Digital/New Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Tolu Ogunlesi, the Secretary General of the NGE and Editor, Nation’s Capital, THISDAY Newspaper Group, Mr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren and the Deputy-Editor, BusinessDay Newspaper, Abuja Bureau Office, while from the Ministry, were Directors, Special Advisers and other top officials as well as Media Correspondents.

Oct

27

2021

FG Repositions The Management Of FHA for Effective Service Delivery

…Now has 5 Departments, 2 Executive Directors reassigned as 3 new others come on board

President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR has approved the reorganization of the management of Federal Housing Authority (FHA) for effective service delivery.

The objective of the new structure of the Authority is to enhance the implementation of the maintenance of FHA Estates across the country which will generate new businesses and jobs in the construction industry in pursuance of the Federal Public Assets Maintenance Policy approved by the Federal Executive Council.

The new structure of the Authority has the following Departments:

(a) Estates Services
(b) Housing Finance and Accounts
(c) Management   Services
(d) Project Implementation
(e) Research and Innovation Development

 According to the Presidential approval, the two officers reassigned are the former Executive Director, Business Development, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibril who will now move to the Research and Innovation Development Department, and the former Executive Director, Housing Finance and Corporate Services, Mr. Ekpenyong Maurice  who has been moved to the Management Services Department. 

The newly appointed Executive Directors include Babakobi Mohammed Hauwa, Estate Services; Adamu Kure, Housing Finance and Accounts; and Chinonso Sam-Omoke ,Project Implementation.
 
The expansion of the Management of the Authority will bring a lot of advantages which include attraction of new investments in the construction of new estates across the country and generation of new jobs and businesses, in line with Mr. President’s promise of taking One Hundred Million Nigerians out of poverty.