Housing Ministry To Facilitate Reconstitution of SURCON - Belgore    The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, has given assurance that the Ministry would facilitate the reconstitution of the Surveyors Registration Council of Nigeria (SURCON) to enable it to function optimally.   Dr. Belgore gave the assurance when a delegation from SURCON paid him a courtesy visit in his office.    He stated that the ministry would write to the Presidency, highlighting the significance of the Council in the practice of surveying and its impact on the career advancement of members in the civil service and to request for the reconstitution of the SURCON, assuring appropriate follow-up to secure the necessary consideration.   "Without the Council in place, crucial processes such as promotions within the profession will be halted," Belgore noted   The Ninth Council of SURCON was dissolved in June 2023 along with other federal boards and councils.   Established by Decree 44 of 1989 (now Cap S.18 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004), SURCON is responsible for the registration and regulation of surveyors in Nigeria.    The 59-member Council determines professional standards, sets registration requirements, and periodically reviews the standards to ensure best practices in the profession.   On the issue of funding, Dr. Belgore advised SURCON to explore grant opportunities through the Ministry, recommending that the Council submit a formal request outlining its financial challenges and justifications for government intervention.   Similarly, he encouraged SURCON to be proactive in seeking financial support from stakeholders to enhance its self-sufficiency.   Earlier, the Registrar of SURCON, Surv. Kunle Olugbemiro, stated that the aimed of the visit was to appeal for the intervention of the ministry for the reconstitution of the council and secure financial support.   He noted that while SURCON previously received funding through the Federal Government’s Appropriation Act and internally generated revenue (IGR), federal funding was withdrawn in December 2023, severely impacting the Council’s regulatory functions, including the monitoring of surveying practices.   Olugbemiro outlined SURCON’s main IGR sources, including practice fees, registration fees, enlistment fees, sale of publications, and accreditation visitation fees.   On his part, the President of Surveyors Council of Nigeria and Surveyor General of the Federation, Surv. Abdulganiyu Adebomehin, while emphasizing the urgency of reconstituting the council, highlighted that meetings and examinations cannot be conducted without a properly constituted Council.    He appealed for the Ministry to urgently interven and also advocated for financial support to enable the Council to pay gratuities to its retiring officers.   The meeting concluded with the presentation of a formal brief on SURCON to the Permanent Secretary. ...

FG Committed to Solving Housing Needs of Nigerians  - Belgore    The Permanent Secretary,  Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development,  Dr Shuaib Belgore has restated the commitment of the federal government to solving the housing needs of Nigerians.   Belgore retated this when he hosted the marketing manager of China Harbour Engineering Company limited, Mr Nicholas Liu who led his management officers on a visit to the ministry.   " The primary mandate of the housing ministry under the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR is to provide more housing for Nigerians" he stated.   Belgore explained that the ministry currently has 14 active construction sites spread across the six geo- political zones of the country, building housing cities and estates, hoping to be commissioned by May 29th   He told the Chinese team that the ministry is open to Public Private Partnership  (PPP) as it will further advance the solution to housing problems in Nigeria, urging them to cooperate with the ministry to ensure more housing are timely provided.   " By May 29th, the Renewed Hope Housing Units will be ready to mark Nigeria's democracy day. The administration is strongly committed to solving the housing problem, not just in the FCT but Nigeria at large" he remarked    Earlier, the marketing manager of the China Harbour Engineering Company limited, Nicholas Liu, explained that their company has executed so many gigantic urban housing projects internationally in Kuala Lumpur, Malasia and Sri Lanka.    Nicholas added that CHEC adheres to the concept of "building, operating and developing cities" and it has successfully completed world-class comprehensive urban development projects such as Colombo Port City in SriLanka and The Grand in Los Angeles, USA. Thus, it has a wealth of experience in urban planning, construction and development, industry import, operation management and other fields. ...

Housing, Regional Development Ministries Collaborate to Enhance Ministerial Deliverables    * we executed over 100 slums upgrade, urban renewal projects  - Dangiwa    *  we need to align with housing ministry to avoid duplication of projects - Ahmadu   Housing and urban development minister Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa and Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu have met to forge a common alliance that would see to the enhancement of their respective ministerial deliverables.   The common position was arrived at during the meeting of the two ministers hosted by Arc Ahmed Dangiwa and was attended by the Permanent Secretaries of the respective ministres; Dr Shuaib Belgore of Housing and Mrs Tinuke Watti of Regional Development.   Dangiwa was elated to receive the Minister, emphasizing that the meeting was part of the inter-ministerial collaboration that needs to be enhanced between Ministries and Agencies;   “ With this type of collaborations, we can exchange ideas and leverage on certain privileges that one has, and find a way of enhancing our Ministrial deliverables that we have sworn to deliver” he stated.   He expressed joy in the news that one of the Development Commissions of the Regional Development Ministry was developing over 1000 housing units for their citizens, hoping for more collaborations between the Commissions and the Housing Ministry in order for the built professionals in the Ministry to adequately provide designs, costings and necessary advice for the projects.   The Minister reiterated the mandate of the Housing Ministry which is to provide affordable houses for the Nigerian populace, as well as urban renewal and development.   He informed that the Ministry has successfully within two years, executed over 100 slums upgrade and urban renewal projects within the country which consists of water supply, drainages, roads, sanitation, street lighting, amongst other projects like intervention in schools and hospitals.   In the area of Housing, Arc. Dangiwa explained that the Renewed Hope Cities which are block of flats, duplexes and terraces were planned to be cited in each geo-political zone of the country and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.   “Currently we have taken Abuja which Mr. President graciously did the groundbreaking of 3112 houses, funded under PPP, another one in Lagos for 2000 houses and also in Kano for 2000 housing units” he explained.   Accordingly for the Renewed Hope Estates, the Minister said the Ministry intends to cover the remaining 30 states with 250 units of 1, 2, 3 bedrooms block of flats, to be cited  in two locations of each geo-political zone of the country.   He as well showcased the National Social Housing Program which targets the zero and low income earners, the vulnerable and underprivileged citizens of the country, adding that the Ministry intends to commence and develop at least 100 houses in each Local Government Area of the country.   Minister Dangiwa emphasized on the power of housing constructions to generate employment, stating that the Ministry’s over 10,112 ongoing constructions can generate at least 250, 000 jobs, at 25 jobs per house.   He further assured the Minister of State that staff of the Regional Development Ministry can benefit from the housing projects of the Housing Ministry.   Speaking earlier, Minister of State for Regional Development, H.E Uba Maigari Ahmadu informed that the creation of Regional Development Ministry by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was intended to take developments to the grass-root level through the development commissions, which the Ministry oversees as part of its mandate.   Acknowledging housing as a cardinal objective of the Regional Development Ministry, Maigari conveyed their desire to align and collaborate with the Housing Ministry through the development commissions, so as to avoid duplication of projects.   He infomed the Housing Minister of a 1000 housing units estate at Mafa LGA of Borno state, saying that such edifice would be better implemented through collaborations by both parties.   Accordingly, the State Minister explained that the Ministry through the commissions aims to undertake urban renewal, development of infrastructure in selected cities, smart housing, as well as consideration of the financing models to adopt.   In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary Dr. Shuaib Belgore, welcomed the Minister of State and his delegation, expressing hope that the interaction between the two parties would result in a collaboration that would deliver benefits to Nigerians.   ...