Dangiwa Encourages Continuous Dialogue, Mutual Respect with Civil Servants Union    * says consistent staff welfare, a priority    Minister of Housing and Urban Development,  Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has encouraged continuous dialogue, mutual respect, and the pursuit of shared goals between the leadership of the civil servants Union and the Management of the Ministry.   “Together, we can create a work environment that not only meets the aspirations of our workforce but also drives greater productivity, service delivery, and national development” he said.   Dangiwa spoke when he received the National leadership of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) led by its President, Comrade Shehu Mohammed on a couresy vist to the Ministry, Tuesday, April 29th, 2025.   Dangiwa expressed the commitment of his leadership to building a Ministry where officers feel valued, opportunities for growth encouraged and welfare of staff consistently prioritized.   He appreciated the timely nature and significance of the visit in reflecting the spirit of partnership between organized pressure groups and the government;   “It shows that beyond the call of duty, there is a desire on your part to collaborate in building a stronger and more effective public service”, he added.   While acknowledging the indispensable role of the Civil Servants in driving the wheels of progress, he recognized that no policy, plan, or reform can succeed without the commitment and dedication of the workforce.   The Minister was pleased to inform the Union about the Renewed Hope Housing Programme embarked on by the Ministry, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.   He noted that under the programme, Cities are currently being developed in Abuja, Lagos, and Kano states; and the Estates across twelve states nationwide, offering a variety of decent, quality, and affordable homes that civil servants can access.   Accordingly, Dangiwa explained that while some units under the Renewed Hope Cities may be priced beyond the immediate affordability of many civil servants, the Renewed Hope Estates, which are being directly delivered and subsidized by the Federal Government, offers affordable options specifically targeted at workers and low to medium-income earners.   He enlightened the Union of various structured and flexible financing options available through the Federal Mortgage Bank to include: a 30-year National Housing Fund mortgage loans, Rent-to-Own schemes, Installmental Payment plans, and Outright purchase for those who have the capacity.   The Minister encouraged the civil servants to take advantage of the Renewed Hoped Estates and the financing opportunities available through the FMBN.   Speaking earlier, the National President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Comrade Shehu Mohammed commended the Minister for initiating strategic plans to address the housing deficit in the country, noting that Nigerian civil servants, regardless of their income level, now have access to decent housing.   Comrade Mohammed also lauded the Minister’s commitment to resolving the issue of inadequate office space within the Ministry, as demonstrated by the ongoing construction of a new office complex.   Commenting on the recent revocation of provisional offers of housing allocation under the National Housing Programme (NHP), the ASCSN President appealed to the Minister to provide another opportunity for civil servants whose offers were revoked due to their inability to meet the payment deadline.    He explained that many affected workers were constrained by the declining value of the new minimum wage of N70,000, which has been eroded by rising costs of goods and services.   Comrade Muhammad also raised other pressing concerns, including the payment of repatriation allowances for retiring officers, the provision of first 28-days allowances for newly recruited officers, and the prompt disbursement of death benefits to the families of deceased officers.    He highlighted the challenges of inadeqate transportation buses for staff and emphasized the need for continuous training and retraining of staff to enhance their productivity and service delivery.   While appreciating the Ministry's annual financial contribution to the union's May Day celebration, Comrade Mohammed appealed for an increase in the amount allocated for celebration, citing the prevailing economic conditions and rising prices.   In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore reaffirmed the ministry's core mandate to ensure access to affordable housing, noting that significant efforts were being made to meet this goal, especially for civil servants, through various ongoing housing projects of the Ministry, across the country.   While addressing some of the concerns earlier raised by the Union, Dr Belgore explained the Ministry’s efforts to ensure that staff welfare, training and benefits are prioritized.   He informed that the Ministry was making efforts in the area of repatriation to clear backlog of the death benefits and first 28 days, despite the insufficiency of the overhead cost of the Ministry.   Accordingly, he assured that the Ministry was making plans to provide four brand new buses for staff of the Ministry, as part of efforts to support staff mobility.   He as well promised that further consideration would be made to what has been approved for the May Day celebration. ...

Dangiwa Reads Riot Act to Renewed Hope Housing Developers   *  Warns of blacklisting non-performing contractors and demolition of substandard works   The Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has issued a stern warning to developers handling Renewed Hope Housing Projects across the country, urging them to ensure timely delivery and strict adherence to quality standards.   Speaking during a status review meeting with developers on ongoing housing projects in several states, the Minister made it clear that the Federal Government will not tolerate negligence, substandard execution, or delays in project delivery.   “This administration is committed to doing things differently. Do not assume it’s business as usual. It is not. If you signed a contract with the government, you must deliver accordingly,” the Minister stated emphatically.   Arc. Dangiwa declared that non-performing contractors risk being blacklisted—not just from future housing projects with the Ministry, but from all Federal Government housing and infrastructure contracts. He also warned that any substandard structures discovered on project sites will be demolished and the responsible contractors sanctioned.   “We are not just building houses, we are building homes. If you collect government funds, you must deliver results. We will not fold our arms and allow incompetence or bad faith to derail the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.   While expressing appreciation for developers who have shown commitment and professionalism, the Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s determination to honour all contractual obligations—provided that quality and timelines are respected.   In a related directive, Arc. Dangiwa tasked Federal Controllers of Housing in the states to intensify monitoring and supervision efforts on all project sites. He urged them to provide consistent guidance and ensure that construction activities proceed smoothly and in compliance with specifications.   The Renewed Hope Housing Programme is a flagship initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, designed to expand access to affordable housing for Nigerians and drive inclusive development.   ...

DANGIWA REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING QUANTITY SURVEYORS REGISTRATION BOARD    * says board's expertise in cost control, contract administration, procurement auditing, more critical than ever Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry to supporting the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN,) in order to effectively fulfill its statutory functions.   The Minister made this known, Tuesday, 15th April, 2025, when the members of the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN), paid him a courtesy visit at the Ministry’s Headquarters, in Abuja.   He acknowledged the role of the QSRBN in the collective efforts to reposition Nigeria’s housing and construction sector for greater efficiency, accountability, and professional excellence, saying that the quantity surveying profession was essential to ensuring cost transparency, value for money, and fiscal discipline in the execution of construction projects.    “At a time when we are pushing aggressively to deliver on the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, your expertise in cost control, contract administration, and procurement auditing is more critical than ever”, he explained.   While commending the Board for its professionalism, Dangiwa urged them to take their regulatory oversight role seriously by ensuring proper training and licensing of professionals to practice ethically, stating that it was a sure way of safeguarding the integrity of the profession and supporting the government’s agenda of eliminating waste, corruption, and substandard practices in the built environment.   The Minister emphasized on the role of the QSRBN in contributing to the sector's development and providing procurement standards, cost estimating methodologies, and benchmarking practices that align with international best practices.   “We will also count on your support in strengthening quality assurance and control on our project sites nationwide, particularly under the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade Programme, and the Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs we are working to establish across the six geopolitical zones”, he added.   Arc. Dangiwa further encouraged the Board to work closely with the ministry to deepen collaboration, transparency and accountability in housing delivery.   On concerns raised by the President of the QSRBN, the Minister gave the assurance that the issues around funding for the Board as well as recovering their hijacked plots of land would be checked and resolved.   Accordingly, on the issue of establishing a Building and Engineering Construction Commission under the oversight of the Ministry, Arc. Dangiwa as well promised that it would be looked into.   Speaking earlier, the President of the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN), QS. Obafemi Onashile, brought the Minister up to speed with the achievements of the Board since it’s inauguration by the Minister, such as registration of qualified quantity surveyors, organizing of 2024 annual assembly for registered Quantity Surveyors, speedy accreditation of Quantity Surveyor programs in Universities and Polytechnics, among others.   He appealed for the Minister’s intervention on some challenges facing the board which includes funding, possession of the Board’s allocated plots of land, lack of coordination and cohesion in the construction industry, awaiting of the Minister’s signature for the update of the regulation of the QSRBN, and more.   QS. Onashile further gave some recommendations for the construction sector such as; the establishment of a Building and Engineering Construction Commission under the Housing Ministry for effective regulation of the industry, the need for stricter controls over buildings and structures higher than nine meters.   Others are the need to recognize construction health, safety, and environment as an independent qualification, complete professional documentation of all high strictures, need for government construction contracts to have adjudication as the most straightforward route for resolving disputes, among others.   The QSRBN President also invited the Honourable Minister  for the Board’s 2025 annual QS assembly coming up on the 14th and 15th of May, 2025, as the chairman and guest of honour to declare the Assembly open.   Also present during the courtesy visit, the President of the Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), QS. Nzekwe Kene Christopher, presented some reform recommendations that would enhance the Nigerian construction industry.    The recommendations include enacting a robust legal framework for construction contracts and robust implementation, establishing specialized construction courts, reviewing of the Federal Housing Authority law for affordable housing, and creating a Construction Industry Development Board, among others.   QS. Nzekwe also emphasized on the need for a collaborative partnership with the Ministry to achieve these goals.   A notable part of the meeting was the presentation of the NIQRS newsletter to the Minister. ...