Dangiwa Inaugurares 14th Council of  Architects Registration Council of  Nigeria, ARCON ….   charges them to maintain peace, selflessness and professionalism. Housing and Urban Development Minister, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has inaugurated the 14th Council members of the Architect Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), with a charge to strive to be selfless, professional and focused on the interest of the profession, the country and the teeming Architects therein, in the conduct of their assignment. ARCON is a statutory body established to Regulate the activities of the Architectural Profession in Nigeria. In his remarks, the Minister acknowledged the importance and critical nature of the Architectural profession to national development, noting that the Council was created to assist in promoting the development and growth of the profession in the country because the Government recognised the need to regulate and maintain standards in the built environment, which is a major driver of economic growth. “The Architects Registration Act Chapter A19, Laws of The Federation of Nigeria 2004, heralded by Decree Number 10 of 1969, mandates the Council to determine what standards of knowledge and skills persons seeking to become members of the architectural profession need to attain. The Act also empowers the Council to raise those standards from time to time as circumstances may permit”, he said. While reminding members of the Council of the high responsibility that comes with their nominations, the Minister tasked them to live up to the expectations of the architectural profession as well as the trust bestowed on them by contributing meaningfully towards policies that will promote and enshrine standards and quality in the housing sector. Dangiwa drew the attention of the Council to the fact that the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria Act 2004 needed immediate amendment in order to align its mandate with present realities, while assuring that the Ministry under his watch would encourage an urgent commencement of work on the amendment. In his words, “We should incorporate the right to exist and function with the common objective of promoting the Profession, in accordance with the provision of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution as amended (which give Right to Freedom of Association)”. Accordingly, the Minister highlighted the incessant incidences of building collapse to the Council, pointing out that it has not only led to loss of lives and waste of resources but has also brought shame to the profession and the housing sector;  “this Council must therefore be committed from inception to play its part by promoting accountability, transparency through the implementation of initiatives that would enhance good governance in the built environment by bringing registered architects to uphold ethical conduct and integrity”, he warned. Dangiwa further charged members of the Council to ensure that there is peace, unity and orderliness in the house of Architecture in Nigeria in order to make meaningful progress.  “Let us resolve not to sacrifice the profession on the altar of pecuniary interests even as we strive to ensure fairness, equity and balance”, he admonished. On their part, the Registrar of the Architect Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Umar Murnai expressed happiness that the inauguration has come to reality. He charged the members of the Council to ensure that the they work towards the improvement of the architectural profession in Nigeria, and to uphold their responsibilities of training and improving the profession. Murnai further assured the Minister that the new council would also enhance on upholding accountability and transparency in the course of their duties. ...

Dangiwa Reassures Committment to Delivery of Quality, Affordable Houses to All Nigerians  Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has further given reassurance that the federal government through the Ministry would deliver quality and affordable houses to all categories of Nigerians. "Access to affordable housing by Nigerians is a fundamental human right as mentioned by President Tinubu during the ground breaking of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates at Karsana, Abuja on February 8, 2024" he stated  The Minister spoke during a meeting with members of the Renewed Hope Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited on a visit to his office. Dangiwa expressed readiness of his ministry to partner with the Renewed Hope Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited  in order to ensure provision of affordable houses for its members. He commended the effort by the leadership of the cooperative society for rising up to make their members proud home owners in Nigeria. " Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, we are committed to providing quality housing for all Nigerians, as such we are willing to work, collaborate, support and encourage organised groups such as the Renewed Hope Cooperative Society to help their members become homeowners."  he added. While assuring the Cooperative Society that the Ministry will provide all necessary support to make it possible for them to own houses, he explained that 50,000 housing units would be built nationwide under phase one of the Renewd Hope Cities and Estates Project flagged off by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.  He encouraged the members to position themselves and obtain some of the houses, adding that a total of 3,112 housing unit was flagged off by President Tinubu at Karsana , Abuja under the project  "We have already awarded the contract for the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates in 12 states nationwide, two states per geo- political zone and contractors have already been mobilized on sites to build a minimum of 250 houses that are affordable and organic in 1,2,3 bedrooms" he said  Accordingly, the minister explained that what makes the houses organic is the ability to add an extra room as the need arises, for instance, a 1 bedroom apartment can be converted to 2 bedrooms by building another room. Apart from the Renewed Hope Estates and Cities, the Minister also suggested subscription to National Housing Programme to the Cooperative Society, saying that "currently, we have houses under the program in more than 20 states that were delivered by the last administration that are all processed in various states' headquarters."    Dangiwa also told the members that the Ministry made the homeownership convenient and affordable for Nigerians, by providing flexible purchase options for these homes, which includes;  outright purchase, mortgage, rent to own and installmental payment.  Meanwhile, as part of support given to ensure the realization of their dream of homeownership, the Minister advised the leadership of the  Cooperative Society to visit the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and apply for Cooperative Housing Development Loan. He explained, "If a Cooperative has a title land with no legal encounter, then you can approach the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and apply for Cooperative Housing Development Loan." He explained that under the loan, the Cooperative could design the houses the members want according to their income,  appoint a developer and if the criteria for providing the loan is met, FMBN will provide funding for the construction of the houses and after the houses are completed, the bank will package long term single digit of 6 percent National Housing Fund mortgage loan or rent to own for their members to enable them own their homes and pay over time as this signifies that the Cooperative has offset its loan because it will be deducted from its members. On National Housing Fund (NHF) being managed by the FMBN,  Dangiwa explained that contrary to the notion that only Nigerians working under Federal Government can access the fund, the Act setting up the NHF states that every Nigerian irrespective of coming from the informal or formal sector, shall contribute 2.5 percentage of his income into NHF for six months after which he becomes eligible to a loan ranging from one million to fifteen million to buy a house depending on affordability. The Minister also disclosed the plan of the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu to create a National Social Housing Fund, an insurance to promote housing as a fundamental human right; further explaining that it is a program whereby free houses are provided in the 774 Local Governments of Nigeria for citizens who do not have a means to own one. Speaking earlier, the National Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Taofeek Afolabi expressed optimism that partnering with the ministry will enable the members to benefit from the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates, assuring the Minister that the members are economically active and has the capacity to become home owners through mortgage.  " Our primary areas of focus is homeownership for our members. We understand the challenges and how difficult it can be for the average Nigerian to own a home. This is why we intend to use this vehicle to make homeownership more accessible and affordable for Nigerians", he remarked. Afolabi, while commending the Minister for the achievements recorded since he assumed duty, announced the decision of the members of the Cooperative Society to adopt him as their Patron. He also revealed that, currently the Cooperative Society has over 4,500 members nationwide accross various walks of life and its membership is free. ...

Renewed Hope Cities:  Nassarawa State Allocates Land to Housing Ministry  …..  Contractors will move to site in coming days- Dangiwa  The Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Project of the present administration through the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has gotten a boost,  with the allocation of 24.62-hectare piece of land for the project by the Nasarawa State Government. Handing the documents to the Minister during a courtesy visit to the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, Governor of Nasarawa state, Engr. Abdullahi Sule maintained that the gesture was to show the commitment of the state to the efforts of the Ministry towards providing affordable housing to Nigerians. Dangiwa thanked the Governor for responding to the request for land made by the Ministry towards enhancing the affordability of housing units for Nigerians. He also assured the Governor that contractors for the Renewed Hope Cities’ project in Nasarawa state will commence work in the coming days following the issuance of the Approval of Grant and Certificate of Occupancy for a 24.62-hectare piece of land for the project. Governor Sule continued “ I want to thank the Minister most sincerely for choosing Nasarawa state as one of the benefiting states for the first phase of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates programme. We are extremely proud of what you are doing in the sector, and we can see how proud Mr. President is of what you are doing. He always makes reference to your promise that you will transform Nigeria into a giant construction site whenever we have our meetings, and we can see it happening already"  “ The land we are giving is located in Karu Local Government, which is now one of the most visited local government areas in Nigeria. It is also growing rapidly in terms of population and development. We are very excited to be presenting this C of O and the Approval of Grant to you, and I decided to come and give it to you in person to show my appreciation for all you are doing in the housing sector in Nigeria,” he said. Reiterating the commitment of the ministry towards actualising the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Housing and Urban Development, Dangiwa said the project in Nasarawa is just one of the several cities and estates to be built across the nation. “The first phase of the programme aims to deliver Renewed Hope Cities ranging from 1,000 housing units per site in one location in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country while the remaining thirty (30) states will have Renewed Hope Estates each with a minimum of 500 housing units. “As you already know, Nasarawa state is a beneficiary under phase 1. The contract for the construction of 250 units has been awarded and with these documents now in our hands, the contractors will be moving to site in less than a week from today,” he said. Dangiwa further called on the Nasarawa state Governor to prevail on other governors to do the same, as well as support the efforts of the Land Reforms Task Team constituted by the Ministry in January 2024, noting that their support and participation is necessary to successfully streamline land administration in Nigeria. “Unfortunately, despite sending official invitations, many are yet to send representatives. We are not discouraged because we understand the pressures that Governors face. So, today, I want to use this special occasion of your visit to specifically solicit your cooperation for the active participation of Nasarawa state in the Land Reforms Task Team and to also use your influence within the Governors’ Forum to get other Governors involved in this important national assignment,” he said. The land offered by the Nasarawa state government is a 24.62-hectare piece of land located at Auta-Balefi in Karu Local Government Area of the state, and represents the pilot site for the Renewed Hope Cities Project in the state.   ...