Jun

24

2021

Nmiru Bridge: Council Of Ohafia Monarchs, Leaders Of Thought Commend FG

The Council of Ohafia Monarchs and Leaders of Thought have commended the Federal Government for expeditiously responding to their “save our souls” appeal over the state of Nmuri Bridge in Abia State, noting that their experience has shown that the President Buhari led administration is responsive to the yearnings of citizens irrespective of tribe, region and religion.

The delegation led by Chief Etigwe Uwa, SAN gave the commendation during a courtesy visit on the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN in Abuja.

Chief Etigwe Uwa thanked the Minister on behalf of the good people of Ohafia in Abia state for the quick response of the Minister in fixing the dilapidated old bridge.

He said: “I contacted the Honourable Minister on 30th January, 2021 and when I passed through that same bridge on 8th of February, 2021, work has already started.”

“This has demonstrated that the government listen to the cry of the people. It is a clear testimony that we as a community cried to government and government has listened to us. We are very grateful as a community.”

Continuing, he said that the Ministry's prompt response to the deplorable condition of the bridge had demonstrated that the President Buhari led administration was responsive to the cry of Nigerians irrespective of tribe, region and religion. “We are here today to confirm that things can work and are working in this present dispensation,” he said.

He called on the Federal Government to also expedite action to facilitate the completion of the construction of the Federal Road linking Ohafia, Bende and Umuahia which the Nmuri bridge is part of.

Also while reading a letter of appreciation, His Royal Highness, Elder Emmanuel Onugu on behalf of the people of Ohafia in Abia state thanked the Honourable Minister for the timely intervention in the repair and the construction of a modern brand-new bridge over Nmuri River at Ebem Ohafia.

Continuing, he said that the temporary work done by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) had provided succour to the people of that area who had long experienced hardship on account of the deplorable condition of the bridge which had almost become a death trap.

In his response, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN said that the completion of the abandoned Nmiru Bridge in Abia State, South Eastern Nigeria will bring succour to the road users in that area.

The reconstructed Nmuri bridge links Ohafia and Umuahia the Abia State capital.

According to Fashola the Ohafia bridge was one of the 37 bridges and over 800 projects that the Ministry was repairing, restoring, rehabilitating and constructing across Nigeria, pointing out that some of the bridges had been abandoned for the past five to six decades. He noted that the Nmuri Bridge was among those receiving attention. already.

He also stated that the Ministry through the intervention on those roads and bridges across the country had further demonstrated that the All Progressive Congress (APC) as a party has an ideology contrary to some opinions.

“The APC led government is governed by progressive ideology which is progressivism, which simply means that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to improve human condition through investment in many pillars such as agriculture, mining and in particular, infrastructure expansion, repair and development,” he said.

Other members of the delegation from Ohafia included His Royal Highness, Kalu Ikenga, Chief Awa Kalu, Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN, Mr. Kalu Okpo Kalu, Mr. Sunny Mbila, Architect Lucas Eme, Mr. Sunday Idika, Ogbonna Kalu, Dr. Eni Kalu and Mr. Charles Nkata.

The Permanent Secretary, Babaginda Hussein and some Directors of the Ministry joined the Honourable Minister to receive the delegation.

May

27

2021

Fashola Salutes Pioneering Work of Alhaji Femi Okunnu in Inaugurating ARCON 52 Years Ago 

·       Minister advocates synergy, cooperation among Nigerians as he performs groundbreaking, foundation laying ceremony of ARCON House in Abuja

·      Commends ARCON for showing example of choosing to build in spite of past disagreement

·      ARCON President, past president, Obong Victor Attah, others praise Minister for brokering peace within the profession

Fifty-two years after he served as Federal Commissioner for Works, Elder Statesman, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, was Thursday commended by the current Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, for kick-starting the great journey of building the nation, by inaugurating the first Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) in 1969.

Fashola, who spoke Thursday while performing the groundbreaking and foundation laying ceremony of the proposed ARCON House in Abuja, saluted the former Federal Commissioner for Works, who happens to be his Uncle, for his foresight, describing as ironic the fact that he is today continuing the journey of nation-building as a distant successor of his Uncle.

“It is indeed very ironic that I happen to be here today to now continue the journey he started. Really, it is interesting how these things happen and ironically none of us is an architect, but very happily we are both lawyers”, the Minister said expressing joy that the challenge is that of building and not of disagreement.

In a short but impactful speech he gave at the ceremony, Fashola called for synergy and cooperation among all Nigerians, especially professionals and other stakeholders, to join hands to rebuild the nation, saying in spite of the challenges and disagreements among the various stakeholders and interest groups, Nigerians could work together to build a nation of peace and harmony.

He told the quality audience consisting of past presidents of ARCON, members of Council and other icons in the Built Industry, “This is time for rebuilding our nation, this is time for rebuilding brotherhood, this is time for building our future”, adding that in a symbolic way, ARCON, by the day’s event, “is building its own future”.

Noting with delight that despite being enmeshed in challenges of disagreement a few years ago, ARCON had decided to set aside those challenges and build for itself a befitting House, Fashola declared, “Therefore, in spite of disagreements, we can still build if we choose to listen, if we choose to work together and if we choose to keep ego aside”.

The Minister commended the current ARCON leadership noting that three years ago, when it was inaugurated, the Architecture profession had very many challenges which he described as largely man-made. “But” he added, “I am happy that Engr. Ajayi (President of ARCON) and his team have taken upon themselves to say that if these problems are man-made, it will only take men of goodwill to resolve it and this is a very good example of the microcosm of what ARCON has done as a blessing to all of us”.

Commending ARCON for the decision to build and establish its presence in the Federal Capital Territory as a symbol of the unity of its professionals, Fashola declared, “To all the seen and unseen hands who have helped to restore engagement, who have helped to restore that family, I send my great word of thanks”, adding, “This is a much better place for the Architecture Family than where it was three years ago”.

“I am joyous because you have helped to give invaluable quality to the many generations of those who are aspiring to join the profession. This is a very great challenge worth having; a challenge of building not a challenge of disagreement”, the Minister said.

Fashola, who expressed pleasure in the honour accorded him to perform the ceremony, however called on all the stakeholders to endeavour to contribute their quotas to see to the completion of the House in record time, adding, “The work has just begun, so all of those hands, president and past presidents and all other interest groups must brace up to this challenge, so together we can hand-over a very befitting and very momentous turn to the next generation”.

In his goodwill message earlier, the Governor of Taraba State, Arch. Darius Dickson Isiaku, congratulated ARCON for finally deciding to build for itself, describing as a paradox the fact that the Council has for decades built edifices for others without having a roof over its own head. 

Commending the efforts of the Minister of Works and Housing and his FCT counterpart to bring the ARCON decision to reality, the Governor, who was represented at the occasion by one of the State officials, Arc. Dauda, also commended the efforts of the Council to make the project possible at this time.

In his own goodwill, the Minister of Industries, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, who was also represented at the occasion, congratulated ARCON on its efforts to establish its presence in Abuja noting that by its mandate his Ministry considers ARCON a veritable stakeholder in the development of the nation.

Others who gave goodwill messages included a past President of ARCON and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Arc. Obong Victor Attah, who thanked Fashola for brokering lasting peace within the profession urging him to ensure that Nigeria is being built by Nigerian Architects and where a foreigner is concerned, such foreigner should be registered in Nigeria.

Earlier in his welcome address, ARCON President, Arch (Sir) Gabriel Oladipupo Ajayi listed the cardinal objectives of ARCON to include re-engineering the Council, harmonizing positions with all interest groups with the help of the Minister of Works and Housing, who, according to him, “calls us together all the time” and building a befitting home for Architects as well as maintaining a visible presence in Lagos.

Expressing gratitude to the Minister for his peace efforts that have brought the profession and interest groups together, the ARCON President declared, “On his part, he has been a backbone of this Council”, adding that as a result the Council has delivered on all fronts.

May

13

2021

Sensitize Other Institutions for Partnership –Aliyu

The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, FNSE has advised management of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors to sensitize other government and non- governmental institutions on the important of survey to infrastructure development in order to enjoy wide partnership.

Aliyu who represented the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN gave the advice during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors.

The Minister further noted that the Ministry of Works and Housing appreciates the value of the institution to building and construction, adding that other institutions like the Nigerian Army should be sensitized on the importance of survey in construction works in order to partner with the institution in all their construction activities.

Aliyu added that the world would not be stable without survey, stating that nothing could be put on the ground without properly giving all the coordinates and the levels to superimpose whatever anyone would want to impose on the ground.

“Sensitize people to partner with you, it will enable them imbibe best global practices to what they are doing,” the Minister added.

Engr. Aliyu assured the delegation of the ministry's support towards the successful hosting of the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors in Abuja.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation and President of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Surv.  Charles D. Charles said they were in the ministry to invite the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN as the Chief Host of the forthcoming Annual General Meeting of the Institution and solicit for the support and cooperation of the ministry towards the event.

Surv.  Charles disclosed that the annual meeting of the institution which has as its theme, "Emerging trends in Geospatial Technologies for Earth System and Infrastructure Mapping Monitoring and Management,” would be held in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, from 25th – 27th May, 2021.

According to the President of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, the sub- themes would address trends in Geospatial Technologies which would include: Mapping and Monitoring, Earth Resources Mapping, Monitoring and Management.

In addition, Surv Charles explained that the conference would create opportunities for all stakeholders in the geo-spatial industry to discuss and showcase latest developments in knowledge, processes and facilities that would help drive the surveying and mapping environment for successful delivery of national and organizational policies and projects.

He further informed the Minister that the investiture of the 22nd President of the Institution would take place on 27th May, 2021 at the conference.

The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) is the umbrella Professional Association of Surveyors in Nigeria, a member of the International Federation of Surveyors ( IFS), the Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy ( CASLE)and the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN).

Apr

29

2021

Address By The Honourable Minister Of Works And Housing, H.E. Babatunde Raji Fashola, San Presented By The Honourable Minister Of State Federal Ministry Of Works And Housing, Engr. Abubaker D. Aliyu, Fnse On The Occasion Of The 9th Meeting Of The National Council On Lands, Housing And Urban Development Holding At The Kwarafa Multi-Purpose Hall, Elim-Top Suites, Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State On Thursday, 29th April, 2021.

Protocol

Permit me to begin this address by expressing my profound gratitude to the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Rtd Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, the good and homely people of Plateau State “Home of Peace and Tourism” for accepting to host us in spite of the extremely difficult socio-economic situation and the exigencies of the moment. Your Excellency, finding time from your busy schedule to grace this 9th edition of National Council Meeting on Lands Housing and Urban Development with theme “Housing Delivery in Covid-19 Era and Beyond: The Strategies for Affordability and Accessibility” is highly appreciated.

2.    Permit me to also state that the choice of this year’s theme for the annual meeting is deliberate and germane to the prevailing circumstances we presently find ourselves defined by Covid-19 Pandemic. Because as a country and people, we do not exist as island from the rest of the world. Thus the impact of the Pandemic is equally felt in all sectors of the economy.

3.    There is no gainsaying the fact that access to affordable human habitats (houses) by the people has been problematic over the years even during the Covid-19 Era. However, this Administration, since its inception in 2015 has been able to confront this herculean challenge head-on by rolling out concrete policies programmes and projects towards addressing effectively it.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

4.    Government is fully aware that housing challenges are prevalent in urban centres which should be understood as a symptom of urbanization. The rural areas face less challenges as underscored by a number of empty houses available for occupation. Urbanization creates excess demand which in turn creates economic problems of demand and supply that is translated into price hike and scarcity which impacts on affordability and accessibility.

5.    Indeed, the difficulties of price hike are not only the inflationary pricing driven by excess demand but also extortionary payment of one, two or even up to three years rent in advance. Make no mistake, people have struggled under the burden of this extortionist rates and payment increase, in some cases, in the midst of scarcity there are empty house un-occupied for myriad reasons such as size, price, payment mode and so on and so forth. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 incidence has made the situation even more difficult for those who are in the struggling bracket. These include;

i.    Employers and Employees who have lost businesses or employment and therefore income from where rent can be paid who now face the risk of eviction;

ii.    Landlords/property Owners who invested before Covid-19 but who now face dwindling market demand and in some cases bank foreclosure because projected income from sale or lease has not materialized due to Covid-19 challenges, etc.

5.    The scenario above are the life situations across the world including Nigeria. This makes the choice of our theme and subject a compelling national discourse for our 9th Meeting of the National Council.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

6.    I will be remiss if I fail at this juncture to inform you about the laudable achievements recorded by the present Administration under the visionary and dynamitic leadership of President Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR. On our scorecard are milestone achievements in the following broad areas:

i.    Support for businesses (CBN) loan re-scheduling
ii.    Ease of lockdown (small businesses resumed work in July, 2020
iii.    Provision of Survival Fund
iv.    VAT exemption for businesses with less than N25m turnover.

7.    So far, in the areas of Housing, what the Federal Government can do directly is limited compared to what States can do, and State Governments are also limited, compared to what private sector and individuals can do. Put differently, the majority of houses available for sale or rent belong to individuals and private companies compared to what States or Federal Government has available. Therefore, many of the tenants who owe rent, who face eviction or who seek to rent or buy property are dealing with private citizens or companies and less so with Government Agencies.

8.    Consequently, my recommendation for improving access and affordability in the Covid-19 Era is for private companies and individuals to give back some of what they control to citizens in the way that FGN has given back to citizens some of what it controls. For example, in cases where rent of businesses or individuals are due for renewal, the private Landlords can give back, by accepting monthly, quarterly or half-yearly rent instead of one, two or three years rent in advance. The risk of defaults can be secured by Bank Guarantees or Insurance Bonds provided by the tenant. Where rent has fallen into arrears, it is possible to emulate what FGN did through the CBN to reschedule payment on loans, by re-scheduling the payment for the tenant to more affordable terms instead of pursuing eviction.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

9.    Notably, all of these are matters of voluntary action by property owners and a matter of conscience. And perhaps the question to ask is whether we can do for ourselves or give to one another what we ask Government to do for us or give to us. Beyond voluntary action, there is State intervention which can facilitate access and affordability. As I have earlier pointed out, properties are not necessarily inaccessible or unaffordable because of the price alone, but more often because of the mode of payment. For example, a N10m flat would probably be affordable and accessible if payment is spread over 5 to 10 years as against having to be paid at once. The same would be one for renting a N2m per annum house if payment were made monthly in arrears or 6-month in advance, as against paying 3-years rent (amounting to N6m) in advance. These are some of the biggest hurdles that confront our people in almost all States.

10.    It is therefore my candid recommendation to this Council to consider intervention by way of recommending a legislation that limits how such advance rent can be demanded or paid for renting accommodation. The sanction for non-compliance is that this would be a self-enforcing legislation in that the State apparatus such as the Courts would not help any party to such a contract get relief as it would be a patently illegal contract. This has been tried in other jurisdictions within and outside Nigeria and it has helped to improve accessibility and affordability. Many empty properties in our urban centres remain inaccessible or unaffordable because of some of these factors, and they can be unlocked if we act.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

11. Another matter for consideration of Council is the rapid deployment of co-operative housing which I presented to Council at the last meeting. I am in a position to update Council that the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has been the driver of the initiative at FGN Level and they have:

i.    86 Co-operatives engaged in projects
ii.    N35,784Billion cumulatively approved
iii.    N10.95Billion cumulatively disbursed
iv.    57 Co-operative Housing Development Loans under processing as at January, 2021.

The potential for accessibility and affordability is that:

a)    Co-operative members can choose what they want and therefore design and build to fit their own individual and group budget.

b)    Co-operatives can leverage their members to get group discount for purchase of building materials and the engagement of contractors to build.

Because State Governments control much more land, the use of the land as a tool to enable Co-operatives within their States to build, can be very impactful in changing the affordability and accessibility paradigms in the COVID-19 Era and beyond.

12.    Finally, I could not conclude my remarks without thanking all the 34 States who have given us land for the National Housing Projects in their respective States. In the next few weeks we shall be unveiling the dedicated web portal for the sale of the buildings to Nigerians on a first come first serve basis. We urge the State Governments to alert their residents to this opportunity for interested persons to apply. Contributors to the National Housing Fund (NHF) should be able to access mortgage loans that will facilitate affordability.

Thank you.    

Apr

28

2021

Opening Remarks By The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry Of Works & Housing, Babanggida Hussaini At The Meeting Of Permanent Secretaries For The 9th National Council On Lands, Housing And Urban Development In Jos, Plateau State On Wednesday, 28th April, 2021

Protocol

    I am delighted to welcome you all to the 9th meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development with the theme “Housing Delivery in the Covid-19 Era and Beyond: the strategies for Affordability and Accessibility” holding in Jos, Plateau State. It is important that I used this opportunity to convey our appreciation to the Government and people of Plateau State for working tirelessly in making sure that this event is a successful one.

2.    The theme for this year’s meeting is carefully selected to harness the stakeholders’ views on the myriad of challenges affecting the delivery of affordable and accessible housing in Nigeria and how to refine strategies to address such challenges during and post Covid-19 pandemic era. Some of the notable challenges brought  about by the Covid – 19 era are the decline in per capita income of the world population resulting in the global economic meltdown, issues of security, particularly how to address the safety of works on sites and the occupants of houses during and after the Covid – 19 era.

3.    Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the primary responsibility of nations the Wprld over has being the guarantee of the security of lives and properties of its citizens and the provision of policies and measures that leads to the socio-economic wellbeing of its citizens. Therefore, the theme of the meeting “Housing Delivery in the Covid-19 era and beyond: the Strategies for Affordability and Accessibility” is apt as it provides the stakeholders the forum to deliberate and come up with decisions on how to address issues of safety and security, economy, job creation, poverty alleviation, growth and empowerment of the informal sector among others.

4.    The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing is currently implementing programmes and policies that are aimed at providing affordable and accessible housing in the Country. Some of these activities and programmes include: collaboration with the Private Sector on the provision of affordable and quality housing in the Country through the Site and Services Scheme, improved Land Administration and Management, National Housing Programme which is in its second phase, the development of the Nigeria National Building Code and Energy Efficiency Code. There is no doubt in my mind that when all these are being implemented nationwide, these measures would address some of the affordability and accessibilty challenges as well as enhance housing delivery in the Country.

5.    As you are aware, the Council meeting is heralded by a 2-Day Technical meeting which took place on Monday – Tuesday (26rd – 27th April, 2021) wher all memoranda submitted by the various stakeholders are being considered, reviewed it and recommendations submitted to the meeting of the Permanent Secretaries for further review. Our responsibility, therefore is to improve on the foundation laid at the Technical meeting carefully review the submissions so as to ensure a result oriented Council meeting.

6.    Once again, I welcome you all to the meeting of Permanent Secretaries of this year’s Council meeting and wish you fruitful deliberations.

7.    Thank you for your kind attention.

Mar

08

2021

Minister Of State Works And Housing Sympathizes With Traders Over Potiskum Market Fire

The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu, has sympathized with traders who lost their goods at the Saturday fire that razed most parts of the Potiskum Central Market in Yobe State.

The minister, in a statement on Sunday, extended his heartfelt sympathy to all the traders affected by the fire incident, praying to Almighty Allah (SWT) to replace their monumental loss.

The Potiskum market fire occurred on March 6, 2021, and razed down shops majorly around Layin Masko, thereby destroying goods worth millions of naira, according to eye witnesses.

Engineer Aliyu said: “It is with heavy heart that I extend my sympathy to the traders of Potiskum Central Market who lost their property in the tragic fire incident that occurred Saturday night, March 6, 2021.

“I prayed to Almighty Allah (SWT) to console the traders who lost multi-million naira goods in the tragedy. I also prayed to Almighty Allah to replenish their wealth once again.” 

The minister said the tragedy has not affected only the traders who lost their property, but the entire good people of Potiskum and Yobe state in general. 

Nov

12

2020

Budget 2021: Our Priorities Remain Completion of Ongoing Housing Projects - Fashola

Works and Housing Minister Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has stated that the priority of the Housing Sector of his ministry in the 2021 budget is completion of ongoing projects.

Mr. Fashola stated this during the 2021 budget defense of the Housing Sector of his ministry before the Joint Senate and House Committees on Housing, Thursday, November 12, 2020.

"The basis of the 2021 Budget will be anchored on the following priority areas; completion of the construction of the remaining 2140 units of houses under the National Housing Program in 34 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)," he said.

Other projects prioritised for completion in the 2021 budget according to the Minister are; completion of the construction of ongoing Federal Secretariats in six (6) States of Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Nasarawa, Osun and Zamfara.

Fashola also listed, building and maintenance works for other MDAs nationwide, upgrading , completion and running of Building Craft Training Schools in Harvey Road , Yaba and Onikan , Lagos State and Design and Installation of Solar Power PV Microgrid System and Energy Retrofitting of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing Headquarters Mabushi Abuja as amongst the priority projects of the Ministry.

The Minister told the committee that the ongoing projects under the Housing Sector includes the construction of 3,926 National Housing Projects across the six geo-political zones of the Federation and FCT, out which he said 1,786 units have been completed.

He also mentioned that eleven (11) Federal Secretariats are being rehabilitated, while six (6) in Bayelsa, Anambra, Ekiti, Osun, Zamfara and Nasarawa are under construction.

Accordingly, the Minister reminded the Committee that, President Muhammadu Buhari had during the presentation of the 2021 budget proposals repeatedly emphasised the necessity to focus the Budget on completion of projects.

Speaking on the challenges, Fashola said: "The major factor militating against the timely completion of projects is insufficient budgetary provision for projects to sustain annual cash-flow requirements levels."

He suggested that MDAs should provide a sum representing 2-10  percent of Capital Budget annually as maintenance provision, pointing out that the peculiarities of public buildings and dynamics of indigenous operational imperatives warrant greater flexibility, necessitating a more robust and pragmatic provision.

The Joint Senate and House Committees on Housing led by Senator Sam Egwu suggested that to address the issue of insufficient budgetary provision for projects and to be able to sustain annual cash-flow requirement levels, the Ministry should key in the 2020 outstanding liabilities into the 2021 budget proposal or any other future budget appropriation.

His suggestion was informed by the huge outstanding liabilities to the tune of N69.9 billion as against the N76.4 billion 2021 budget proposal. He pointed out that if the 2021 budget proposal is used to defray the 2020 liabilities, nothing would be left to execute and sustain 2021 projects.

Aug

14

2020

Fashola Inaugurates FHA Executive Management Team

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN has today inaugurated the Executive Management Team of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), with a charge to strive to complete the ongoing housing projects of the Federal Government.

The new executive management team of the FHA has Senator Olugbenga Ashafa as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer while Honourable Abdulmumuni Jibril is Executive Director, Business Development and Mr. Maurice Ekpeyong is Executive Director, Housing Finance and Corporate Services.

While congratulating the management team for the confidence reposed on them by the President, the Minister expressed the hope that the trust and confidence would be well kept in the discharge of their duties.

Fashola said, “Mr. President has chosen well because the team members have the requisite skill and experience needed to move the FHA forward”.

The Minister who took time to analyse the positive qualities of the appointees, stated that the combined effort of the trio would form a strong team that would actualize the aim of the current administration of providing affordable houses which is being addressed in various fronts.

While explaining that the Act establishing the FHA sets out clear responsibilities for the organisation, he urged the management team to work assiduously to ensure that the challenge of housing gaps in Nigeria is addressed.

Accordingly, the Minister pointed out that, through the Federal Government Housing projects, people are empowered at the grassroots by way of strategic and planned maintenance. He also urged the management team to commit to developing new estates in urban centers in order to address the housing needs which are greater in urban centers.

The Minister also assured the management team of the Ministry’s readiness to give them the necessary support to ensure their success, adding that the ministry would not meddle in their affairs unnecessarily.

“We don’t interfere on what Parastatals do but we will intervene if we see you veering off”, he said.

In a goodwill message, Senator Sam Egwu, Chairman Senate Committee on Housing enjoined the members to work as a team so as to realize their mandate while assuring them of support by the National Assembly.

Responding on behalf of the Management team, the new MD/CEO of FHA Senator Bareehu Olugbenga Ashafa expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for the trust and confidence reposed on them by the appointment. He pledged his team’s unalloyed support and commitment towards providing affordable houses for Nigerians.

Mar

17

2020

Fashola To Professional Builders : Intervene During Construction To Avoid Building Collapse

* Condoles with Governor, Government and People of Lagos over Sunday’s explosion in the State

* As Nigerian Institute of Building confers Honorary Fellowship on Minister

* Debunks recent misrepresentation in the media over unoccupied houses across the country

* Underscores need to build knowledge and values as he describes building as “a very ennobling undertaking”

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, Monday charged members of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) to endeavour to intervene at the time of construction of any building in any part of the country as a proactive step to stem the incidence of building collapse and consequent loss of life and property.

Fashola, who gave the charge when he hosted members of the Institute who paid a courtesy visit and conferred the honorary Fellowship of the Institute on him, expressed deep condolence to the Governor, Government and people of Lagos State over the explosion that caused loss of life and property and left many injured in the Abule Ado part of the State.

Speaking at the Conference Room of the Ministry, Fashola, who began his remarks by acknowledging the sad incident which occurred on Sunday, expressed deep sorrow at the unfortunate incident describing it as a tragedy which, according to him, had caused a painful separation of the dead victims from their loved ones.

Noting also that the incident was avoidable, the Minister declared, “I join many Nigerians and non-Nigerians in expressing my very deep condolences to those who lost loved ones and also those who suffered varying degrees of injuries and also lost properties; our very deep and sincere sympathy go to the Governor and the Government and people of Lagos State”.

“Our thoughts, our prayers and sympathy and best wishes are with you as you go through these difficult time, especially in helping bereaved residents to deal with the very tragic pain of separation in an untimely, very painful and perhaps avoidable manner and I pray that the souls of the dear departed rest in peace”, he said.

Fashola, who charged the Institute to take interest during the construction of buildings to ensure that the right things were done, said at that point the opportunity to give advice and effect correction was still available adding that such intervention would be more timely and valuable than after a building had collapsed.

Obviously responding to the opening remarks of the President of the Institute who stressed the need to enforce the law to serve as deterrence, the Minister said as important as it is to enforce the law in the Built Industry as a means of minimizing incidences of building collapse, questions should be better asked during the construction of the buildings to ensure that the right things were being done.

He declared, “Mr. President, I couldn’t agree with you more that we need to enforce the law. But, I think there is a lot of work for all of us to do; because we must ask questions and I believe that as an Institute and as Professionals we, more than anybody, have the rights to ask those questions. And it is not when buildings have collapsed that we can ask those questions; it is while those buildings are being constructed”.

“You can go in there and see who is there; and that must not and should not offend anybody; just to see that the right thing is being done. In the interest of the preservation of life, that should not offend anybody. That will be my real charge to the Institute: How we can ensure that every building under construction is our business because every death that happens when a building collapses is also our business.

Reiterating that the most auspicious time to intervene was during the construction of a building, the Minister declared, “If we see something that is wrong during construction that is the time to intervene, to advise and to correct”, adding that his Ministry would continue to interact and interface with the institute in the effort to serve Nigerians better.

The Minister also used the opportunity to correct the misrepresentation in a section of the Media of a statement he made recently while hosting the Senate Committee on Housing reiterating that he only said the Ministry was understudying to see how to apply to the Public Sector the model by some organizations that are redesigning their large buildings to smaller units to make them affordable for rental.

Fashola, who said the media report gave the impression that government planned to seize peoples’ unoccupied houses and lease them out, explained, “What I said, and I will repeat, was that we see a lot of empty houses; we see the experience of some corporate organizations beginning to break up these houses because they are too big and, therefore, people cannot afford them.

“And that we see some people are now breaking them into smaller units and, therefore they become sizeable and therefore affordable for the pockets of some people. So those houses that have been empty for a while and generating no income are now generating income; and that we are understudying that model to see what is possible in the public sector”, he explained further.

He declared, “So before you incite other people against me, I have no right to seize peoples’ houses and lease them out if they are private property”, and advised that those whose responsibility it is to report others have the right to ask questions as well as follow-up questions to clarify any issues that were not clear to them concerning the subject of their reports.

Fashola also spoke on the need for builders to build what people could use adding that it was necessary to first plan and find out who would use the building before embarking on the construction. The Minister pointed out that going by the realities of the present generation, young people have shown that they do not need too much space adding that such realities should be imbibed into the building culture for the present generation.

He told his Guests, “And the lesson we are seeing is that the generation of our children don’t have our own hoarding instincts. They are not taking on too much Aso-Ebi and all those things, they need very little space. So if we are building for that generation, we must build with their sensitivity and their needs in mind so that we can really then build what they will use and we must build to last”.

Describing building as “a very ennobling undertaking”, Fashola, who said the profession both ennobles the builder and the beneficiary, added, “Whether it is a house or a road, building is ennobling and those who build really are those who contribute to prosperity as distinct from those who destroy,” acknowledging also that although it is good to build brick and mortar, it is also important to build knowledge and values.

“So if we build without knowledge, without values, it will not last. If we build because we compromise values, we will compromise rules and the results are predictable and they are unpleasant”, he said adding that it is only true professionals that could be trusted to uphold the tenets of the Building Profession.

Thanking the Institute for the honour of the Award, Fashola said he was receiving the award on behalf of all those people who worked with him in Lagos and those currently working with him, including the Minister of State, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, the Permanent Secretary, Mohammed Bukar and the Directors pointing out that whatever achievements that earned the award was through a team effort.

“Yes we hold a ceremony to confer Fellowship. But I have found it difficult, and still find it difficult, to take individual credit for any work that a team does. And, therefore, whatever may have attracted this award can only be the work of a collective effort. So I wear this gown and I don this hat on behalf of all the members of my team; those who had worked with me back in Lagos and those who continue to work with me here”, the Minister said.

The Minister promised, however, that he would shoulder the enormous responsibility of upholding the knowledge and values of the Institute that come with the Award “to ensure that all the people who pass through the portals of this Institute are found worthy in knowledge and in values before they can be called members of the Institute of Building”.

“It is those people who we can then trust to ensure, not just the production of the next generation, but the diligent application of all of the essential tenets of the Building Profession, because it is a Profession, it is a serious business”, he said.

Earlier in his opening remarks, President of the Institute, Builder Kunle Awobodu said the Award was conceived as far back as when the Minister served meritoriously as Governor of Lagos State, who, among several other infrastructure renewal projects and policies which promoted an organized and livable society, raised a statue in honour of the engineering genius and social, Professor Ayodele Awojobi in Yaba.

Another reason, the President said, was the work Fashola did and the awareness the former Governor raised on the tragedy of building collapse adding that the inspiration he got to champion the campaign against building collapse in the State came from the former Governor who, according to him, formed a technical committee in 2008 for the reform of the State’s Physical Planning Law with prominent Lagos Professionals including the present Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo Olu as members.

The President, who canvassed for the strict adherence to the Building Code and enforcement of the Law on Building, said strict enforcement of the law remained the only way to stem incessant building collapses across the country.

Also present at the colourful Award ceremony were the Minister of State, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Mohammed Bukar, Directors, Special Advisers and other top officials of the Ministry while President of the Institute was accompanied by the Chairman, Council of Registered Builders and Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Kabir Bala , Vice Chancellor, Plateau State University, Professor Yohanna Izam , Deputy Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Akure, Professor Deji Ogunsemi , Chairman, NIOB College of Fellows, Builder (Mrs) Adebolanle Araba , NIOB Immediate Past President, Builder Kenneth Nduka , NIOB Trustee Member, Builder (Mrs) Iyabode Bolarinwa  and Chairperson, Association of Professional Women Builders, Builder (Mrs) Lami Mohammed among many other prominent members.

Feb

19

2020

Text Delivered By H.E, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At The Commissioning Of Woodhill Estate Under Akacare Cooperatives, And Flag-Off Of Cooperative Housing Development, Kuje, FCT, Abuja

Welcome one and all to the commissioning of Woodhill Estate of AKACARE Cooperative Housing Scheme and the flag-off of our cooperative housing initiative, one of the series that will happen in each of the six (6) geo-political zones of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.

One of the NEXT LEVEL commitments of the Federal Government of Nigeria as declared by President Buhari at the ministerial retreat held in September 2019, is to deepen access of Nigerians to affordable housing and consumer credit.

This is a mandate item of the housing sector of the Ministry of Works and Housing; as the policymaking arm of government, and we have assigned the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) a parastatal of the Ministry of Works and Housing, the implementation responsibility for executing our policy of PARTNERSHIPS with cooperatives.

For those who may wonder, why cooperatives? The answer is simple.

By definition, co-operatives are "an autonomous association of persons united VOLUNTARILY to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned enterprise.”

The key word in that definition is the "voluntary" nature of cooperatives, and this is critical in the formulation of our policy of partnerships with cooperatives as a means of overcoming the problems of "Acceptability" and affordability that stand in the way of access to housing.

This is important because our experiences, our investigations and our observations reveal starkly that there are hundreds of thousands of empty and unoccupied houses in major cities across Nigeria.

They are empty and unoccupied because they are either over-built, in being too big, or under-built in being too small and therefore not acceptable to those who need them, because in many instances no consultation took place between the builders and the consumers they built for.

This is why we are undertaking a pilot scheme based on our studies to build in 34 states who provided land, what the people we consulted said they will find acceptable.

Because of the lack of consultation and acceptability problem, the problem of affordability creeps in.

Our policy development team finds the voluntary nature of cooperatives very useful because members will be expected to design and build according to their needs and their income, as they find affordable.

Co-operatives have traditionally proved to be successful in areas like transportation, agriculture, trade and commerce, market associations and amongst large groups in the informal sector.

It is these large members of the informal sector that we seek to reach, scale up constructions of houses and the multiplier effects on the economy for cottage industries who make building materials like paint, doors, roofing materials, nails, and electrical fittings to mention a few.

The scale of construction by voluntary associations is expected to ramp up employment and income for artisans who will build houses. This will be our contribution to President Buhari’s commitment to raise a hundred million out of poverty in a decade.

As in other sectors, when cooperatives have been successful, we can point to modest successes of partnerships by FMBN with some cooperatives in the formal sector that currently has 52 housing projects under construction to deliver 4,624 units in 2020.

It is this number, that the policy we flag-off today seeks to multiply in many fold by unleashing the power of cooperatives and empower their voluntary will to act together in pursuit of the common desire to access housing and credit.

In order to be eligible, cooperatives must be registered, they must acquire their own land, get title to it, seek and obtain a building permit from the governments of the respective states where their land is located.

This last requirement is instructive because it seeks to eliminate incidents of unapproved buildings and slums which governments later seek to demolish.

All the state government agencies in charge of land have been duly briefed at the National Council launch meeting held in Abuja on November 7th 2019.

The Mandate and the role of the FMBN is to then provide construction funding to the cooperatives to build the houses, and to provide mortgage finance to the individual members to buy the house and pay back in instalments at a rate not exceeding 10% per annum.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the sum and substance of the policy and partnerships that bring us to Kuje, in the FCT today because AKACARE cooperative has embraced this NEXT LEVEL initiative to deepen access to housing and consumer credit.

It is therefore my honour and pleasure to flag off this cooperative partnership in the hope that it will quickly spread to other states in this Geo political zone.

As every cooperative chooses what it desires and can afford, the FMBN, representing the Federal Government of Nigeria will be your partner, providing financial support to enable you to act voluntarily to choose and build what you accept and your income can afford.

On behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government of Nigeria, I commission this Housing Estate and flag off this co-operative development away from poverty and towards common prosperity.

Thank You.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Works and Housing

Jan

18

2020

Minister Urges Stakeholders To Find Innovative Ways To Re-Position The Housing Sector

The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu , FNSE, has urged stakeholders to find more innovative ways of re-positioning the housing and urban development sector  for the overall benefit of the Nigerian citizens.

He made the remark  while delivering his keynote address at the one- day sensitization forum on Lands, Housing and Urban Development Multilateral Programmes of Collaboration with the theme “Achieving National Housing and Urban Development Goals: Opportunities for Partnership and Collaboration’ in Abuja.

Engr. Aliyu said that the rapid urbanisation  all over the world with its attendant severe social, cultural, economic and environmental impacts  has made it  mandatory to scale up actions as well as leverage on technical expertise and support from development partners to address the process.

According to him, the Federal Government has accomplishedthrough support from Development Partners, the implementation of Nigerian States Urban Development Project (NSUP) as far back as1977 in Bauchi and Lagos; followed by the Imo Urban Development Project (IUDP). Both focused on developing sites and services programme for low income residential development.

Other accomplishments he mentioned were the Infrastructure Development Fund Programme (IDF) implemented in 1985-2001to address long term financing for urban infrastructure in 11states of the Federation – Adamawa, Anambra, Benue, Borno, Ondo, Enugu, Yobe, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba and Ondo.

Aliyu added that that programme later ledto the Community Based Urban Development Project (CBUP) launched in 2003 to 2011 with the provision of funds to support the urban basic services provision and infrastructure upgrading projects in 8 states:AkwaIbom, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Edo, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Ogun and Ondo.

In other partnership efforts, the UN-Habitat, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Shelter Afrique have further impacted positively on the county’s housing sector, the minister said.

The minister urged all stakeholders and intending stakeholders attending the 10th World Urban Forum (WUF10) to harness the diverse opportunities it presents in order to attract new technologies and innovations, capacity building and funding supports to effectively address our urban challenges especially in the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the Urban SDGs.

Speaking earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Mohammed Bukar disclosed that the Interactive Session was convened to furnish stakeholders with insights on how to advance housing and human settlements development through the operations, mechanisms, tools and opportunities for collaboration with Multilateral Partners.

Mr.Bukar said the interactive forum would ensure a coordinated, effective and harmonised participation of delegates to the Tenth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF10) scheduled to hold in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 8th to 13th February, 2020 and produce ways of repositioning the housing and urban development sector for the benefit of every citizen of Nigeria.

Andrew Chimphonda, Managing Director, Shelter Afrique, in his presentation, “Housing Development and Financing Options noted that Nigeria has an annual housing deficit of 22million. When this figure was queried by the Permanent Secretary, he promised to validate the figure and get back to the Ministry.

Also, Ishaku Maitumbi, Human Settlement Advisor, a representative from United Nations Settlements Programme (UN-HABITA), in his  a presentation titled “ Partnership and Technical Cooperation for Sustainable Urbanisation,” identified collaboration and partnership as key elements to achieving sustainable housing development in Nigeria.

Stakeholders in the built industry from the federal, State governments, the private sector, higher institutions, development partners and the media attended the one-day sensitization forum.

Nov

29

2019

Senate Moves To Ensure Provision Of Affordable Housing For Poor Nigerians

The Senate on Thursday mandated its Committee on Housing to urgently work out modalities with the various stakeholders in the National Housing Development sector to ensure the implementation of affordable housing for the poorest Nigerians.

The resolution was reached after consideration of a motion on the “Urgent need to reform the Housing Policy and Mortgage Financing in Nigeria to meet the escalating housing demand in the country.”

Sponsor of the motion, Albert Bassey Akpan, said low and middle class income earners constitute the largest active population in Nigeria.

This population, according to him, finds it difficult to have access to housing in their lifetime.

He recalled that the creation of the National Housing Fund through the National Housing Fund (NHF) Act of 1992 was specifically intended to cater for Nigerians in line with the various Housing policies and International Conventions and Treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.

Akpan stated that by virtue of the provisions of the NHF Act, a working class Nigerian is required to contribute 2.5 percent of his or her monthly salary to the fund which provides the source of funding to the Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs).

He said, “Access to the fund through the PMI is cumbersome due to stringent and complex eligibility criteria which makes the development of housing through the fund challenging or practically impossible to date.”

“Since the creation of the fund in 1992, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria as at 2013 disbursed only N100.5 billion.

“In 2015, out of 4 million registered contributors to the fund, only 60,000 (1.5%) were able to access mortgage loans through the funds, leading to the construction of only 40,653 houses across the country,” Akpan said.

The lawmaker further lamented that there exist little or no impact of the National Social Housing Development Programme in the country over the years owing to the escalating population growth in Nigeria.

“There is dire and urgent need for a total review of our National Housing Policy framework to meet the needs of our people, especially the poorest Nigerians in line with the various International Conventions/Treaties of which Nigeria is a signatory,” Bassey said.

In his contribution, Senator Fadahunsi (PDP, Osun East) called on the Federal Government to undertake an immediate overhaul of the country’s housing policies with a view to easing the burdens of poor Nigerians.

“There is need to reorganise the housing policy, so that it will benefit the whole of Nigerians as soon as possible,” he said.

Another lawmaker, Senator Binos Yaroe Dauda (PDP, Adamawa South) described Housing as “one of the fundamental needs of man.”

The lawmaker, who called for a review of housing policies and mortgage financing, added, “It is important for this sector to be reformed, so that our people can have houses.”

Nov

17

2019

Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Aliyu, 7 Others Honoured by Unimaid Alumni

The Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing , Engr. Abubakar  D. Aliyu and seven other eminent Nigerians were conferred with Outstanding Achievement Award by the University of Maiduguri Alumni Association.

The award was conferred  on him at the Maiden End of Year Dinner and Awards Night of the University held at Africa Hall, International Conference Center, Abuja on Friday, November 15, 2019.

The newly elected Executives of the Alumni Association of the Federal Capital Territory Chapter  was also inaugurated at the award night.

The recognition on Engineer Aliyu was  based on his remarkable achievements in his chosen career and well deserved appointment as the Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Engineer Aliyu was described as a shining inspiration to the Alumni and a personality worthy  of emulation.

Special Guest of Honour at the occasion and the President of the Senate, Senator Ibrahim Ahmad Lawan presented the award on the Honourable Minister.

Senator Lawan who was also among the awardees responded on behalf of other recipients  said,  "University of Maiduguri Alumni Association, we cannot thank you enough, those of us that have been given the awards now have additional responsibility, I want to say  we are not going to abuse our positions, we are not going to allow our opportunity slips through our fingers , we will make sure University of  Maiduguri gets the best deal wherever we find ourselves.’'

The Senate President  also remarked that the 9th Assembly was united on national interest and have  resolved to work for Nigeria.

He stated that the economy of Nigeria must work for Nigerians, adding that the senate would  resolve all matters with the executive in national interest.

Ahmad praised President Muhammadu Buhari for showing  tremendous respect for the National Assembly by ensuring that all ministers came to defend their 2020 budgets in  October 2019.

He disclosed that all ministries, departments and agencies defended their 2020 budget proposals successfully, and that the 2020 budget  would be passed in November 2019, so that January to December budget calendar could be maintained.

The Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadiri Mohammed; Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri;  Governor of Borno  State, Babagana Umara Zulum; Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of State for Agriculture, Mustapha Baba Shehuri and Vice Chancellor University of Maiduguri, Professor Aliyu Shugaba were among the eminent personalities honoured at the event

Nov

07

2019

Address Delivered By H.E Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At The 8th Meeting Of The National Council On Lands, Housing & Urban Development

On behalf of the Minister of State, the Permanent Secretary, Directors, Heads of our various parastatals and staff of the Ministry of Works and Housing, it is my pleasure to welcome you all to this year’s National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development.

For the record and for information basis, it is important to mention that the National Council offers a platform of convergence for representatives of the federal government , for those of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to consider policy, agree programmes, form consensus about how life changing and beneficial policies, programmes and projects can be implemented not only by the federal government alone, but by all state governments and the FCT.

This is important in order to achieve wholesome and widespread delivery, access to as many as possible, and impact on an equitable scale.

While I welcome returning commissioners in some states, I am mindful of the changes that the general elections have brought in some states and therefore the change of personnel that have come with them.

I also therefore welcome very enthusiastically new members of the council and assure them of our commitment to assist them in achieving their developmental objectives for their state.

Let me point out that of all the National Councils that I know, I cannot recall easily any council for which the need for federal government and state government collaboration is so pivotal and defining for success like this Council for Lands, Housing and Urban Development.

This is due to many reasons, not the least of which is the Land Use Act, which vests control of lands in the territory of each state in the governor; and in minister of the Federal capital Territory (FCT) in the case of the FCT.

Added to this is the fact that the Supreme Court has decided since 2003, that urban planning and development control is the sole responsibility of the state governments in their territory, and that of the FCT in Abuja (34 states).

In other words, the use of land, whether for a house, office, market, school, hospital, petrol filling station or any other purpose is a matter solely for the state government.

Nevertheless, Housing is a social, developmental and economic objective of the federal government who cannot own land, unless allocated by the state government, and who cannot build unless urban planning department of states approve the development (Gwagwalada).

It is the foundation for that cooperation that we seek to continuously strengthen at each year’s national council meeting and then follow up with each state on a case by case basis.

The theme for this year’s meeting is  “Housing Development and Consumer Credit as Strategies for National Prosperity”, and it is informed by recent developments in the economy and also by the commitment made by the federal government in its Next Level Agenda.

Permit me to recall that on the 12th June 2019, the President Muhammadu Buhari, in his address at Eagle Square, committed to lifting one hundred million people out of poverty. This is what Mr President said:

“China and Indonesia succeeded under authoritarian regimes. India succeeded in a democratic setting. We can do it. With leadership and a sense of purpose, we can lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.”

Since Mr. President made this progressive, ambitious and forward looking commitment, not a few have agonised about how. Some have divided the number of people by the number of years and wonder how 10 million people will come out of poverty, every year.

To yet another group, they understood it only in terms of employment.

I do not.

I understand it is a combination of employment, access to opportunities, value asset renewal, increase in income for those already employed, access to nutrition, freedom from disease, access to shelter and many more life enhancing opportunities that move people from want and poverty to access and prosperity.

This Council meeting emphasizes the need for the understanding that poor people are indigenes of the 36 states and FCT and it will require more than Mr President alone to achieve the commitment.

The impact of prosperity will be felt in the states and the governors and their commissioners have a role to play and they are already playing it, as I will show.

So too the Legislators at National and state levels.

However, let me point out that after that statement of June 12, which I choose to call the June 12 Charter for Prosperity, Mr President at the Retreat Preceding the inauguration of Ministers on the 21st day of August 2019 identified the following areas of focus for the administration over the term of four years namely:

i.   Agriculture
ii.  Health
iii. Education
iv. Energy (Petroleum products); and
v.  Power
vi. Security
vii. Infrastructure
viii. Housing and Consumer Credit

Although all areas listed have a direct impact on poverty, improvement of quality of life, cost of living and prosperity, the focal areas for the Ministry of Works and Housing are infrastructure, generally for works, and Housing and consumer credit for the Ministry of Housing.

Whenever I visit the sites of the pilot National Housing project being undertaken across the 34 States who provided land, I see an ecosystem of commerce, employment and entrepreneurship.

From the contractor/construction company who wins the bid to the labourers on site who earn N3000 a day, (N18, 000 a week (for six days) and approximately N72,000 a month) ; to the owner of the concrete mixer I met in Oyo state who charges N20,000 a day: to suppliers and vendors of building materials, and employees of companies that manufacture paint, tiles, roofing materials, the federal government, and state government collaboration provided a step up towards the ladder of prosperity.

On each site, there were averagely at least 1000 people employed.

Therefore if we could have more sites per state and all states involved, clearly many more people will get an opportunity to work, to supply, to produce and to earn an income. This is a step on to the ladder of prosperity and a big contribution to the achievement of the June 12 Charter of Prosperity.

This is why we have resolved to use cooperatives as the vehicle to achieve more construction in many states in order to expand the scale of construction, and therefore maximize the scale of opportunities.

The Federal Mortgage Bank, which is our parastatal for providing construction and acquisition finance has been designated as the focal agency to drive this initiative and they will be providing a detailed presentation to the council shortly after my address.

What we see is that cooperatives have been successful in transportation, agriculture, trades and markets and among artisans. We think it can be successful in delivering large scale affordable housing if cooperatives acquire their own land, design what they want to build, get state urban planning approval, and federal government gives them, through the Federal Mortgage Bank, loans to construct and loans to members to buy.

This is our broad vision for enabling access to housing and consumer credit (loans) through construction.

Other policies and programmes are the issuance of backlog of certificates of occupancy and consent to land transactions ( 3,000) and (1,708) respectively.

These instruments strengthen and support access to credit and also contribute to improving value of land by 30%-40% and this asset value appreciation is a contribution towards the prosperity ladder.

Site and Service Schemes: Where Government provides roads and other infrastructure to land, improves the value of land by 30%-40% and this asset value appreciation is a contribution towards prosperity .

Slum Upgrade Projects: also being undertaken through the Urban Development department of the Ministry are other ways by which we  improve quality of life and move people out of poverty. Every completed project not only renews the environment, replaces squalor with service, but it also improves the rental income to house owners and capital value of their property.

While I urge you all to listen attentively to the presentation by Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, the Managing Director of Federal Mortgage Bank when he presents the plan on cooperatives, I urge you all to start thinking about :

Cooperatives and how they can register, own lands, contribute to the National Housing Fund and benefit.

How many cooperatives in your states can qualify and what you can do to help them

How to keep proper data and records of cooperatives and also the number of people employed on each site when work commences

How in your states you can use site and service schemes, prompt issuance of certificate of occupancy and consent to land transaction to drive poverty to the rear and propel people towards prosperity.

I have no doubt in my mind that the vision is achievable and surpassable, the building blocks for achieving it are already in place, and it is for all states and federal government, with the private sector to commit to work on the road to prosperity, through housing delivery, and access to credit on a massive scale.

Thank you for listening and I hope we have very faithful deliberations.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Minister of Works and Housing

Oct

17

2019

FG To Initiate A National Cooperative Housing Scheme For Informal Sector – Fashola
* Minister commends the innovativeness of promoters as he unveils Prefabricated Assembly and Installation Building Facility in Abuja
* Says objective is to use cooperatives as a driving force in the countrys Housing programme
* Pledges governments support for initiatives that promote national housing
* Urges caution over the repetition of a housing deficit figure that is unfounded

The Federal Government plans to initiate a National Cooperative Housing Scheme in the country as a provision to bring the informal Sector into the nation’s Housing Programme, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, has said in Abuja.

Fashola, who spoke at the unveiling of Karmod Nigeria Limited’s Pre-Fabricated Assembly and Installation Building facility in Abuja, said the objective was to use cooperatives as a driving force in the country’s Housing programme adding that their success in markets, in transportation and Agriculture, among other areas of the economy would be an incentive to achieve success in the sector.

The Minister, who said the government would also leverage on the successes and numerical strength of the cooperatives manifested in the many unions and associations they have in every state of the country, added that they would be mobilized under the aegis of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria to obtain loans to develop their own houses according to their tastes and preferences.

Cooperatives which would be eligible to participate in the scheme, the Minister said, would be those “who are properly registered, who have their trustees and leaderships to act for them, who have their own lands and who convey an approval  of the type of house they want so that they won’t be stranded”. 

“We will tell them to get a planned approval for land in which ever state so that it won’t become a slum. We will work with that state’s government to ensure that access roads are built; we will give them development loans to give Real Estate developers so that you build for yourself and contribute the counterpart fund to finish. In this way we will achieve the scheme”, he said.

Fashola said the Next Level Agenda of the present administration encompasses policies and programmes that are people oriented and are meant to consolidate and sustain the achievements made in the last four years in all sectors of the economy adding that policies like the Eligible Customer and the Off-Grid initiative have enabled private businesses to source their own power either directly from generation companies or independent of the national grid as done by Messrs Karmod Nigeria Limited.

“If you follow the trajectory of government plans, Housing and Consumer Credit, this is one of the major objectives of this government in its Next Level Agenda; Agro development, food production, processing, manufacturing and transport infrastructure – Roads, Rail, Airports and Seaports, Education and Healthcare. These are the major focal areas of this government”, the Minister said.

He commended the Chairman of the Company, Mr. Hakeem Shagaya, for investing in Housing saying in so far as it seeks to boost housing development in the country, the investment “sits appropriately within the focal area of the government which is Housing and Consumer Credit”.

“In the past, government has made policies that support direct access for small , medium and large agencies to take their own power directly from generating companies under the policy of Eligible Customer”, he said adding that the decision by the company to adopt Off-Grid supply was also a major policy shift of the Buhari Administration in the last three years; “promoting direct and independent power development so that business clusters can come together, develop their own grid, share it subject to licensing by the regulator; and so also can market clusters”.

Also congratulating the Chairman of Karmod International, Mr. Mesut Cankaya from Turkey “for bringing the investment to Nigeria”, Fashola, who told him that as government, from local, state and federal government, “Nigeria is  ready to do business”, assure him of government’s support, not only at the Federal level but also at the municipal level “to enable you plant your foot and expand your business”.

Describing the investment in pre-fabrication method of building houses as “an innovation into Housing development”, which, according to him, “proposes an alternative method of building houses”, Fashola said the innovation was welcome; adding , “innovation is the driver of growth; it is the driver of prosperity and we are ready to partner with you”.

The Minister, however, tasked the Chairman and his team to engage in aggressive marketing “to persuade the end users to change what has become an acquired taste” adding that this would be expedient because taste and preferences in the choice of houses differ from country to country, from community to community and even from culture to culture.

“In some countries you see people building with timber; in other places they prefer burnt brick and in some other places they have adopted container type buildings. In all of this and at the end of the day no one can successfully prescribe that this is the method of Housing that people must all adopt”, he said adding that the transformation or acceptability was often slow and informed by culture, experience and other social indices.

He recalled some places where government had suddenly tried to move people from mud houses and the project had been developed but with no consultation and preparation adding that the people chose to ignore those houses and refused to move. He told the Chief Executive, “So it is now where the product can meet the market and that will be the challenge to you and your team how to make this an acceptable method of building”.

The Minister noted, however, that with the growing population of young people who, according to him, “are ready to go and who do not require too much space to operate in”, it would not be too burdensome to find a market for the type of building, adding that the young people would more readily accept such innovation than the older generation.

“We must accept that we have a growing large population of young people. We will also accept that we cannot live the same way. Their needs have changed, they do not need too much space. Their world is reduced to their laptops. They want to get up and go”, he said adding that all of the planning in infrastructure development must take cognizance of the need of the young generation.

Fashola promised that if the company could find ready market, government was positioned to respond. He declared, “But whatever you do, if the rubber (product) meets the road (market )and you close the deal, again, apart from infrastructure, government is positioned to respond”.

“We have the Federal Mortgage Bank that is managing the Housing Fund. The director is here; and every month they disburse a substantial amount of money from contributions made by contributors to help people access housing, to help people develop estates”, he said adding that it would be in the common interest of every Nigerian to open an account with the Federal Mortgage Bank because, according to him, “once we do, we will very likely benefit from it”.

Dismissing the much touted 17 million as Nigeria’s housing deficit, Fashola, who said he had investigated all the quoted sources of that figure, including the World Bank, declared, “Where did the 17 million figure come from”, adding that according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistic survey, the actual figure of Nigeria’s households stand between 35 and 40 million households nationwide.

“Let us assume that one family lives in one house and you are saying that 17 million is the deficit; that means that more than half of Nigeria’s population is homeless. Is it a reality?”, he said adding that there was need to think through the issue and plan with the correct numbers so as to get the market right while the investment would also be sustainable and could deliver from the profit returns.

Maintaining that the 17 million housing deficit was unfounded, Fashola disclosed that the Ministry of Works and Housing has set up a team, and is hiring research companies to go round major urban centres to do an audit as a sample of how many houses have been virtually unoccupied for six months and above. “That will tell us whether we should be producing more or change strategy”, he said.

During a short interaction with newsmen after inspecting the Karmod Prefabrication facility, Fashola, who reiterated that it was an innovation in the Built Industry, declared, “It is innovation by young people; it’s  innovation that brings investment into Nigeria, it is innovation that brings business and progress. And, therefore, government recommends it as part of its business expansion along with the  economic opportunities that it brings”.

“So it sits very well with one of the key objectives of the government in terms of housing development and consumer credit. Every house creates a demand for finance. And potentially every mortgage being signed deepens our access to credit for people”, the Minister said.

Noting that the framework of the prefabricated building he just commissioned within the company’s premises was made from 12 shipping containers and finished with cement boards and other materials, the Minister reiterated that if the product found acceptability and the company was able to roll it out, government would give support through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

“To my right here is one of the directors of the Federal Mortgage Bank who is saying that if they find buyers who are ready to off-take  and there is a market and those buyers are willing to bank with the FMBN that will elicit for them an opportunity to get  mortgage finance credit”, he said, adding, “So, we are, in a sense as government, with policies and programmes, taking demand to the market and enabling entrepreneurship flourish”.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Mr. Hakeem Shagaya, said the company was established five years ago in partnership with a Turkish company with the objective of helping to bridge the nation’s housing deficit  which he put at about 17 million adding that in order to address the problem the company has adopted the simple philosophy of fast production, fast execution and fast assembly.

Also present at the occasion which took place at the company’s premises at Plot 3075, along Kubwa Expressway, included Chairman, Karmod International, Mr. Mesut Cankaya and renowned entrepreneur Alhaja Bola Shagaya, among other Stakeholders in the Built Industry as well as top officials from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

Jun

25

2021

FG SEEKS COLLABORATION WITH ESTATE SURVEYORS TO BOOST REAL ESTATE SECTOR

The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, (GCON), has called on the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIES) to consider ways to partner with government at all levels to optimize benefits in the real estate sector for the benefit of the nation.

Represented by the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu (FNSE), the Vice President, made the call while delivering his key note address at the 51^st Golden Jubilee, Annual Conference of the Institute which took place at the International Conference Centre Abuja on Thursday June 24, 2021.

Osinbanjo listed potential areas of partnership to include: the Buhari led administration’s vision to take 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years since government is looking up to investment in infrastructure as a tool to realizing this vision.

He mentioned the National Social Housing Programme which is a component of the national post –COVID Economic Sustainability Plan as another area of partnership. The Vice President explained that the plan was created to accelerate on-going efforts by the government to improve access to social housing. He added that government intended to stimulate local production by engaging small and medium sized construction firms to produce construction inputs such as tiles, nails, doors, windows and paint as well as building affordable houses across the country.

Professor Osinbanjo who disclosed that the Nigerian Mortgage Refinancing Company (NMRC) was created to develop the secondary market to refinance mortgages asked NIESV to undertake advocacy with stakeholders both in the public and private sector to promote legislation that will provide support for the company.

The Vice President enumerated the achievements of this administration in infrastructure development to include: the commencement of the 156Km Lagos –Ibadan rail service, completion and commissioning of 327 km Itakpe – Warri Standard Gauge Rail after 33 years of abandonment by previous administrations, construction of Kano -Maradi railway, commencement of work on Port-Harcourt Maiduguri railway lines, on-going negotiation on the Ibadan – Kano Standard Gauge Rail projects and the Abuja Light Rail project which was completed in 2018.

On roads, he said the government created the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), investing over a billion dollars in three flagship projects: the Lagos Ibadan expressway, Second Niger Bridge and the Abuja –Kaduna roads.

In his speech, the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing who was represented on the occasion by the Director Special Projects Unit of the Ministry, Dr. Aisha Ndayako Mohammed revealed that conscious efforts have been made with respect to accessibility, affordability and security of land tittles.

Fashola disclosed that between July 2018 and May 2021, the Ministry of Works and Housing had processed and issued 4,628 Certificates of Occupancy and 2,230 consents to secondary land transactions, adding that these titles are used by holders to access investible loans to start new businesses or grow existing ones thereby expanding the economy.

Fashola also disclosed that the Ministry is engaging Estate Surveyors and Valuers in implementing the valuation of Federal Government assets for purposes of International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS).

In his welcome address, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Sir Emmanuel Okas Wike said the Institute had positively and progressively impacted the Nigerian Landscape with several achievements and contributions. Sir Wike said the conference would provide opportunities for networking, expansion, deepening of knowledge and professional development.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the Governor of Ondo State Rotimi Akeredolu among others.

Jun

17

2021

Fashola Implores Estate Surveyors to Explore Technology, Innovation in their Profession

Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola, SAN has urged the Estate Surveyors and Valuers in the Country to explore modern technology and innovation in the practice of their profession.

He said " As newly inducted Estate Surveyors and Valuers, I implore you to explore modern technology and innovation in enhancing professionalism and good service delivery in your day to day tasks".

The Minister spoke in Abuja as a special Guest of Honour at the 44th Induction Ceremony of newly registered Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Thursday June 17, 2021.

Fashola was represented by the Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr Abubakar D. Aliyu, FNSE.

The Minister described the induction of the new members to fully practice Estate Surveying and Valuation in the country, as timely, especially this critical time that the infrastructures in Nigeria are undergoing re-engineering and rehabilitation.

" Your responsibilities have now been increased as the thrust of Government is about infrastructures, which requires professionals like you to help drive her interest and safeguard wastage" he said.

Fashola also charged them to look at the potentialities and contributions their Profession can unlock in this dare time that the nation's infrastructures and national assets are experiencing deficit.

While commending the ESV Board for giant stride in uplifting the profession in terms of capacity building, Fashola also noted  the critical role the Board is playing in regulating and controlling the practice of the profession in Nigeria.

He listed: securing the establishment and maintenance of Register of persons qualified to practice the profession and publication of lists of such persons and firms, has greatly enhances professionalism in the practice.

On the same vein, Fashola noted that the Estate Surveyors and Valuers (Registration. etc) Act (CAP. E13 LFN2004 enpowers the Board to provide operation license for institutions that meets specific minimum standards, explaining that, the Board has so far  registered up to 4,000 practitioners, 4,000 firms and accredited about 35 institutions of higher learning.

He charged the BOARD to ensure that the stock of Estate Surveyors and Valuers is increased to meet the needs of the Nation.

On the challenges, Fashola said " the challenges are extremely large especially in the areas of legislation, little recognition by the public, invasion of the industry by unlicensed and unprofessionals amongst others".

Accordingly, he assured that, the Ministry of Works and Housing is doing all it can by creating enabling environment where Estate Surveyors and Valuers can strive and make impact to support the Nigerian economy.

The Minister disclosed that many Estate Surveyors and Valuers have submitted expression of interest to execute the Ministry's valuation works in all Federal Secretariats across the country, which he said is already going through the procurement processes.

He explained that the Ministry is presently desirous with the implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) meant to achieve resource utilization and management of assets for decision making.

Accordingly, Fashola challenged them not to rest on their little achievements but to continue to strive towards loftier goals by making Nigeria a better place for economic growth

May

20

2021

FMW&H Rehabilitates and Engages Facility Managers For 24 FG Secretariats Across the Country – Official

The Director, Department of Federal Public Assets Maintenance (FPAM) in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing Arc. Tina Onokwai, said the Ministry has engaged Facility Managers for the 24 Federal Government Secretariats in the six geo-political zones.

She made this remark while presenting her departmental progress report at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja this week.

The Director explained that each Facility Manager carried out the Janitorial, Security, Horticulture and Minor repair works at the Federal Government Secretariats and a total number of Fifty-Nine (59) Workers, which included Plumbers, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, carpenters, cleaners, Security personnel, gardeners and administrative staff, were engaged by the Facility Managers.

“The 24 Federal Secretariats engaged a total of 1,416 Workers thereby socially and economically impacting the Nigerian Society, and the Gross Domestic Product index (GDP) of the country ‘’ she stated.

She added that the tools and consumables procured for the work of facility management were varied and included detergents, disinfectants, air fresheners brooms, glass wipes, industrial extension cables, scrubbing machines chemical sprayers, lawn mowers, sprinklers and hoses among others while the procurement of these items enabled the creation of wealth even at the grassroots.

According to the Director, the Ministry also carried out the rehabilitation in phases and the rehabilitation works in each Secretariat engaged 5,445 direct labour consisting of contractor and labour, 465 Suppliers and 514 food vendors, while about 6,424 employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled Nigerians, including suppliers and food vendors nationwide were granted.

The Director reiterated   that the rehabilitation and facility management works on the Secretariats   were in line with the National Public Buildings Maintenance Policy that provided a framework and attendant guidelines for the management and maintenance of all Federal Government-owned buildings across the country.

“The vision of the policy is that every government public building asset in the country will be maintained in an efficient and sustainable manner to preserve the value of the asset and achieve the purpose for which it was built” she maintained.

She expressed delight that the Economic empowerment derived from these programmes drives, which according to her, drives the purchasing power of market men and women as they engage in economic activities such as shopping for food stuffs, clothing, undertaking healthcare, paying rent or school fees and so on improved within the period.

”This process positively drives money circulation in the economy from one economic sector to the other and  on the side of the Federal Government, the economic impact is to: Improve the Asset value and preservation of Public Buildings,’’  She said , adding that aside ensuring better returns on investment , the process  optimizes the asset utilization and Promotes efficiency of operations especially among the staff thereby supporting the growth of a Maintenance Economy.

Apr

30

2021

FG Urges Private Developers To Ease off Housing Affordability to Nigerians Under COVID-19

The Federal Government has urged private developers and individuals who build houses for commercial gains to ease off the cost which they control to enable Nigerians afford housing under this Covid 19 era.

Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN represented by the Minister of States for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, FNSE made the remark at the 9th Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development Meeting held in Jos, Plateau State.

"My recommendation for improving access and affordability to housing in the Covid-19 era is for private companies and individuals to give back some of what they control to citizens in the way the Federal Government has given back to citizens some of what it controls," he said.

He explained, for example in cases where rent of businesses or individuals are due for renewal, the private landlords can give back, by accepting monthly, quarterly or half- yearly rent instead of one year, two or three years rent in advance.

Fashola noted that the Federal and state governments have limited parts to play in the area of provision of affordable housing to Nigerians because houses for sale and rent are mostly built by individuals and private companies compared to that of the federal government.

The Minister enjoined Council to recommend, as part of its communique, a legislation that limits payment of rent in advance and add sanctions for violation.

He said "It is therefore my candid recommendation to this Council to consider intervention by way of recommending a legislation that limits advance payment for renting an accommodation."

In addition, Fashola told Council to consider Cooperative housing as part of their discourse and recommendations for affordability and accessibility to housing in the country.

He commended Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) for driving the Cooperative housing initiative at the federal government level, adding that it is advantageous because cooperative members can choose what they design and build to fit their budgets and they can leverage their members to get group discount for purchases of building materials as well as engagement of contractors.

In his remarks, the Governor of Plateau State, Rt Hon. Simon Bako Lalong told the participants to come up with tangible solutions to tackle the challenges of land titling affecting affordable and accessible housing in the country.

He said the absence of Geographical Information System (GIS) is another major challenge impeding affordable housing in the country and encouraged states to embark on it, noting that GIS makes documentation, verification and transfer of land titles easy.

The Governor assured the Council that rhe Government of Plateau State would Implement all notable recommendations that would be churned out of the meeting.

Among those in attendance were some members of the National and Plateau State Houses of Assembly, Managing Director of Federal Mortgage Bank, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, the Surveyor -General of the Federation, Surv. Samuel Adediran Taiwo and representatives of professional and regulatory bodies in the built industry.

Apr

28

2021

We Implement Various Policies to make Housing Affordable for Nigerians - FG

The Federal Government has stated that several unique programmes and policies are already being implemented in a  bid to make housing affordable and accessible in the country.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Babangida Hussain, disclosed this in his opening remarks at the ongoing 9th National Council on Land, Housing and Urban Development Meeting, holding in Jos, Plateau State.

"The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing is implementing programmes and policies that are aimed at providing affordable and accessible housing to the citizens," he said.

Some of the programmes, according to him, were:  "collaboration with the private sectors on the provision of affordable and quality housing in the country through the Site and Services Scheme, improved Land Administration and Management, National Housing Programme which is in the second phase, the development of the Nigeria National Building Code and Energy Efficiency Code.".

Hussaini also explained that the Federal Government had been conscious of its responsibilities, and as such came up with relevant policy measures that would lead to socio-economic wellbeing of the people.

He described the theme of the meeting “Housing Delivery in the Covid-19 era and beyond: The Strategies for Affordability and Accessibility" as apt as it would provide opportunity for an extensive discourse by the stakeholders on how to achieve accessibility to and affordability of housing in the country.

In his contribution, the Executive Secretary Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board, Alhaji Ibrahim Mairiga, stated that for the Government to increase access to affordable housing among public servants, it should adjust and harmonize the salaries of core civil servant to improve their capacity to take higher loans that could deliver houses to them.

Alhaji Mairiga made this submission in a paper titled "Housing the Workers: Increasing Access to Affordable Housing for Housing for Public Servants" presented on his behalf by Mr Akinwande Adegbola, the Board's Head of Public Relations.

He also suggested other measures to include: provision of special Federal government grants and outright subsidy towards home ownership and adequate funding of the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB) to enable it provide loans to any civil servant who desires to own a house.

Similarly, the Executive Secretary also listed the activation of the inter-ministerial Committee on Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) Program to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders to take off the cost of provision of needed infrastructures like roads, drainages and power.

He further mentioned that the board’s initiatives for increased access and affordable housing included introduction of starter loan scheme which aimed at providing housing loans of between six to eight million Naira for officers on grade level 08 -10 to enable them purchase completed houses, online application and automated loan process to achieve transparency, accountability and inclusion of Federal staff in state and field officers.

Mairiga disclosed that the board was proposing a new enhancement loan for all cadres in the service, adding that this type of loan would encourage workers to own their own homes early in their career service.

In furtherance of this, he said the board had been in partnership with Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH), Family Homes Funds (FHF), indigenous estate developers to ensure it achieves its much -desired result of providing affordable and accessible housing to Federal Public Servants.

Apr

27

2021

9th Meeting of National Council on Housing Opens in Jos

The ninth (9th) meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development has commenced in Jos, Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, Monday, April 26, 2021.

The four-day meeting has the theme, "Housing Delivery in the Covid -19 Era and Beyond: The Strategies for Affordability and Accessibility."

The meeting which is taking place at Kwararafa Multipurpose Hall, Elim-Top Suites Limited, Gulf Course, Mai-Adiko, Rayfield in Jos City, Plateau State Capital is an annual meeting of stakeholders in the built industry being organized by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, whose mandate among others is provision of affordable housing for Nigerians.

Participants at the meeting include: State Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries for lands, housing and urban development, General Managers of housing corporations, Surveyor -Generals, professional/regulatory agencies in the housing sector and other stakeholders in the built industry.

In an introductory remark, the Director Planning, Research & Statistics, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Olajide Ode-Martins disclosed that the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development is an annual event and the highest policy making organ of the Housing Sector which affords stakeholders in the sector an avenue to deliberate on issues concerning the growth of the sector.

In a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Plateau State Ministry of Housing, Engr. Alfred Datoel, noted that Land, Housing and Urban Development were the life wire of all towns and cities of the world.

He said "Land, Housing and Urban Development are the life wire of all towns and cities of the world. We know that no land, no house, no comfort and security of life no urban development no beauty of towns and cities."

Noting the importance of developing slums to towns and cities and their proper management, Engr. Datoel urged all the participants to come up with policies for implementation by practitioners in the public and private spheres of lives with a view to improving the standard of lives of the average Nigerian.

He added that new ideas and policies generated from the meeting would combat the challenges of increasing slums within towns and cities across Nigeria.

He further appealed to government to implement very important resolutions which could have good bearing on improving the quality of life.

Feb

15

2021

Yobe to Remain APC State - Minister

Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engineer Abubakar Aliyu, has said that the ongoing All Progressive Congress (APC) Party revalidation exercise would boost the party's chance of winning election both at National, State as well as Local Government levels.

The Minister stated this in Potiskum over the weekend after he revalidated his APC membership. He said that the exercise was a great opportunity for new members to join the great party which he described as a moving ship. 

He called on all party stakeholders in the state to come out enmass not only to revalidate their membership, but also to campaign for the great party in the forth coming elections. 

"Our Party is a moving ship, the Captain of the ship is President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR and the Executive Governor of our great State is the National Party Chairman, so I see no reason why the state will not remain APC State," he said. 

Speaking further, Abubabar said that it was pay back time for the state as the President had delivered on his campaign promises to Yobe State with the massive road projects that were ongoing and these projects had reached appreciable level of completion. "So do not only register, register and campaign for others to join the party".

Engr Aliyu also charged existing members of the party to be good ambassador of the Party by being of good character and show love to others as this would encourage other people to join the great party APC.

Present at the validation exercise were critical stakeholders of APC in the State. The State Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Adami Abdul Chilariye and Chairman of APC (Potiskum), Bala Miss. 

Also in attendance were, the Ward Chairman, Alhaji Iselu Tela, the Deputy Speaker of Yobe State House of Assembly, Honourable Anwalu Isa Bello and other stakeholders. 
 

Oct

10

2020

Housing Development: A Tool for Poverty Alleviation- Osinbajo

The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has identified housing development as a veritable tool to eradicate poverty among Nigerians.

This was revealed by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo who was represented by the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, FNSE while declaring open this year’s National House Fair 4.0 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Acknowledging the aptness of this year’s theme, “Gateway to better life: Affordable housing solutions,” to Nigeria’s housing journey, the Vice President disclosed, “President Muhammadu Buhari is determined to uplift 100 million Nigerians from poverty in the next 10 years and housing has been identified as a major tool for its realization due to its multiplier effect.”

Prof. Osinbanjo noted that in line with the Federal Government Sustainability Plan, the Central Bank of Nigeria has approved the sum of N200 billion for 300,000 households to enable Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL) finance the construction of social housing units for low-income earners.

In addition, he disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing had unveiled a programme titled “Affordable Housing Development and Management Initiative" (AHDMI).  According to the Vice President the programme was designed for the purpose of reducing the housing deficit through collaboration with public and private   entities by creating a robust housing management of public buildings, hostel accommodation, redeployment of unoccupied houses for either rental or rent –to- own initiative, urban renewal/regeneration and community upgrading.

Prof. Osinbanjo further revealed the pilot project of the Affordable Housing Development and Management Initiative (AHDMI) would commence in October, 2020 in Gwagwalada with the construction of 2500 mixed housing units under the Public- Private Partnership (involving Family Housing Funds Limited, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and private developers.

Reminding the States and Local Governments that they are the custodians of Land in the country due to the Land Use Act, he appealed to state governments to reduce the bottlenecks associated with the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (C-of – O) and quicken same because government has identified it as a tool for stimulating the economy.

In his words, “As a Government, we have identified “Land Titling” as a rapid tool for economic development as it creates basis for land taxation, access to credit, increased market value and investment stimulation amongst others. I therefore wish to appeal to the State Governments to ease-up and quicken the process of the issuance of Certificate –of –Occupancy (C-of O) and other title documents as this is a sure way of stimulating economic activities and improve the lives of the citizenry and lift them out of poverty."

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, in his remarks called on the Federal Government to make policies that would enhance the provision of affordable housing for Nigerians, noting that national development could only be possible when basic needs are given to humanity.

Oba Ogunwusi enjoined traditional rulers in the country to work very closely with   government and the private sector in the development and provision of affordable housing for the citizenry, adding that by their status they are natural custodians of land and therefore relevant in the development of their communities through the provision of affordable housing for their citizens.

The event was organised by Bstan Group. It is a group of companies headed by Engr. Becky Olubukola. Bstan group has various departments of housing development which includes: construction, mortgage and cooperatives as w
ell as homes and properties. The House Fair has become a yearly event since 2017.

Apr

03

2020

Disclaimer: Honorable Minister Of State For Works And Housing Has No Facebook Account

The attention of the office of the Honorable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu, FNSE, has been drawn to some fake Facebook accounts opened in his name, soliciting money from the members of the public to offer them jobs or contracts.

We want to use this opportunity to inform the general public that this is a huge scam. The Honorable Minister of State for Works and Housing doesn’t operate or own a single Facebook account. All Facebook accounts operating in his name are simply fake.

This is just another dubious act by some undesirable elements to use the good name and reputation of the Honorable Minister of State for Works and Housing to defraud some unsuspecting hardworking Nigerians. This must not be allowed to continue.

We want to categorically state here that the Honorable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr Abubakar D. Aliyu, FNSE, has not authorized anyone at anytime to solicit or request for money or any other information from anyone using the social media with the aim of securing contracts or jobs placement.

We have learned that the scammers are using the Messenger Chat App of the fake Facebook accounts to communicate and subsequently dupe their victims. The general public should note that this is fraud and couldn’t have emanated from the office of the Honorable Minister of State for Works and Housing.

Appropriate security agencies are already working to unmask the scammers with a view to make them face the full wrath of the law.

The Honorable Minister of State for Works and Housing wishes to urge the general public to refrain from engaging with these scammers. And anyone who engages with them does so at their own peril.

Feb

21

2020

Fashola Commissions Gombe  House Estate

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has commissioned the Gombe State Investment Housing Estate financed by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN)

The project was conceived as a result of partnership between FMBN and Gombe State Investment and Property Development Limited and was executed under the FMBN Estate Development Loan (EDL) Window.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony in Gombe, Fashola reiterated the commitment of President Muhamnadu Buhari to deliver affordable housing for Nigerians and to complete all inherited projects accross the country.

He commended the vision of Gombe State Investment limited for starting the estate and the partnership it entered into with the FMBN that ensured the final delivery of the estate after many years of its inception.

The Minister also used the occasion to flagg off the North East National Cooperative Housing Development Scheme which he said was basically to encourage people come into groups to build for themselves the type of houses they need.

Accordingly, he explained that the idea of the housing Cooperative was for buyers to determine houses that meet their expectations and will also remove the middle men contractors and make houses more affordable to low and middle income earners.

On the economy of Housing, Fashola stated that many jobs are created and welth redistributed through Housing contractions, pointing out that; food vendors, Masons, artisans, labourers, Carpenters, tailors, welders are engaged and earn income working on the sites.

While urging people to come into Housing Cooperative, Mr Fashola congratulated the beneficiaries of the houses and prayed that they will find homes and peace in the estate by the grace of God.

In his address, Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya commended the commitment of the government of President Muhamnadu Buhari in  pproviding shelter to  Nigerians.

He explained that providing shelter is one of the responsibilities of any government that has concern for it's citizens.

Speaking earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FMBN, Arch Ahmed Dangiwa, commended the effort of the Minister Fashola for encouraging the FMBN to collaborate with states' government in providing housing through Cooperative.

He explained that, it was through the partnership between the FMBN and Gombe State Investment limited that the estate was delivered.

A total number of 150 houses have been completed out of the 311 conceived. This comprises 82 units detached two bedroom bungalows and 68 units of 3 bedroom detached.

A beneficiaries of the estate Ayuba Maiyama who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, appreciated the effort of Gombe State Investment for providing them the opportunity to own the houses, and also appealed to the Minister and the FMBN to complete the remaining 161 houses to make up the 311 earlier conceived.

The selling price is; N6 3 million for the 2 bedroom and N7.5 million for the 3 bedroom.

Feb

19

2020

First Of FG’s Cooperative Housing Initiative For Informal Sector Takes Off In FCT

* As Fashola Commissions AKACARE Cooperatives Woodhill Estate In Kuje, says choice of Cooperative Associations is based on their proven successes in other areas of the economy
* Current partnerships with some cooperatives in the formal sector has 52 projects to deliver 4,624 units in 2020
* We hope to reach large members of the informal sector and scale up construction with multiplier effects on economy Minister
* FMBN assigned to partner with the cooperatives in implementation of policy

The first of Federal Government’s planned cooperative housing initiative to reach the informal sector in the country came on stream Monday as the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, commissioned the AKACARE Cooperative Housing Scheme, the Woodhill Estate, at Kuje, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari had, in his address at the Ministerial Retreat held in September 2019, declared that one of his administration’s NEXT LEVEL commitments was “to deepen access of Nigerians to affordable housing and consumer credit”.

In his keynote address at the event, Fashola said the Federal Government’s choice of Cooperative Associations as means to reach the informal sector in its housing development was based on their traditionally proven successes in the areas like transportation, agriculture, trade and commerce, market associations and other large groups in the informal sector.

At the event which also had in attendance the representative of the Head of Service of the Federation and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, among other top Government functionaries and dignitaries from both public and private sectors, Fashola said by using cooperatives as anchor, the Federal Government hoped to reach the large members of the informal sector and scale up construction of houses with its multiplier effects on the economy.

According to him such multiplier effects on the nation’s economy would include the boosting of cottage industries which make building materials like paints, doors, roofing materials, nails and electrical fittings, to mention a few, adding that the scale of construction by the associations would also ramp up employment and income for artisans who would build the houses.

Fashola said the Ministry of Works and Housing, as the Policy making arm of the Government, had assigned the responsibility of implementing the policy to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), a parastatal of the Ministry, to partner with the cooperatives, adding that the FMBN had also recorded modest successes in its partnerships with some cooperatives.

Noting that such boost in employment and economy of the most vulnerable would represent Ministry of Works and Housing’s contribution to President Buhari’s commitment to raise a 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in a decade, Fashola recalled the testimonies of artisans during his recent inspection tour of South-South road and housing projects where masons testified to earning as much as N126,000 and labourers N84,000 per month while food vendors made as much as N140,000 profit per month.

The Minister, who defined Cooperatives as “an autonomous association of persons united VOLUNTARILY to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned enterprise”, pointed out that the word voluntary was critical in the formulation of Government’s policy of partnership with the cooperatives ”as a means of overcoming the problem of Acceptability and affordability” that has stood in the way of access to housing.

He said the importance of this stemmed from Government’s past experiences, investigations and observations which had revealed the existence of hundreds of thousands of unoccupied houses in major cities across the country adding, “They are empty and unoccupied because they are either over-built, in being too big, or under-built in being too small and, therefore, unacceptable to those who need them”.

The reason for the unacceptability, Fashola further stated, was “because in many instances no consultations took place between the builders and the consumers they build for”, adding that because of the lack of consultation and the attendant acceptability problem, the problem of affordability also creeps in.

“This is why we are undertaking a pilot scheme based on our studies to build in 34 states who provided land, what the people we consulted said they will find acceptable”, the Minister said adding, “Our policy development team finds the voluntary nature of cooperatives very useful because members will be expected to design and build according to their needs and their income, as they find affordable”.

Expressing confidence in FMBN for successful implementation of the policy, Fashola said, “As in other sectors, when cooperatives have been successful, we can point to modest successes of partnerships with FMBN with some cooperatives in the formal sector that currently has 52 housing projects under construction to deliver 4,624 units in 2020”.

He said in flagging off the policy through the commissioning of Woodhill Estate of AKACARE Cooperative Housing Scheme, Government “seeks to multiply the above number in many fold by unleashing the power of cooperatives and empower their voluntary will to act together in pursuit of the common desire to access housing and credit”.

Listing the requirements for the eligibility of cooperatives to include registration, acquisition of land with title and building permit from the government of the respective states where their land is located, Fashola said the last requirement was instructive “because it seeks to eliminate incidents of unapproved buildings and slums which governments later seek to demolish”.

The Minister, who recalled that all the state government agencies in charge of land were briefed at the National Council launch meeting held in Abuja on November 7th 2019, added. “The Mandate and role of the FMBN is to then provide construction funding to the cooperatives to build the houses and to provide mortgage finance to the individual members to buy the house and pay back in instalments at a rate not exceeding 10 per cent per annum”.

Commending AKACARE Cooperative for embracing the NEXT LEVEL initiative of government, Fashola declared, “As every cooperative chooses what it desires and can afford, the FMBN, representing the Federal Government of Nigeria, will be your partner, providing financial support to enable you act voluntarily to choose and build what you accept and your income can afford”.

Earlier in his opening remarks the Managing Director/Chief Executive of FMBN, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, said under the first phase of the Woodhill Housing Estate which was being commissioned, FMBN delivered 77 housing units comprising of 40 units of 2-bedroom semi-detached bungalows and 37 units of 3-bedroom detached bungalows.

According to the Chief Executive, the basic infrastructure already built to fully service the Estate include an internal road network, electricity and water works to create a conducive and liveable environment adding that five of the completed units were already occupied by subscribing members of AKACARE Multipurpose Cooperative Society who were also present at the occasion.

The second phase of the project, he said, has already commenced and is expected to deliver an additional 77 units to make a total of 154 houses in all adding that to improve accessibility to the Estate, FMBN was providing an additional loan to complete the 2.1 kilometre access road from the major junction as its socio-economic contribution to open up that area of Kuje for other real estate developments.

Expressing appreciation to the Minister for driving the vision and the passion for the model of affordable housing delivery through cooperative societies, the FMBN boss added that already, at about 17 jobs per unit, the project has created 1,309 direct jobs to the local environment adding that the Bank would continue to strive to keep positively impacting the Nigerian economy through its business.

Also present at the event were the Chairman, Board of Directors of FMBN, Dr. Adewale Adeeyo, Managing Director/Chief Executive of FMBN, Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, Managing Director, Perfect Estate Developers Limited, Architect Dayo Babatunde among others.

Jan

16

2020

Nigeria And Turkey Need More Collaboration-Minister

The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu has emphasized the need for more collaboration between Nigeria and Turkey in order to achieve greater success in the development of both countries especially as they share common development goals.

Engineer Aliyu made this emphasis when he received on behalf of the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, the Turkish Minister of Trade, Her Excellency Rushar Peckan who paid a courtesy call on the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

Engineer Ali said, “In order to achieve success in our development since Nigeria and Turkey have common development goals, there is need to share knowledge in technological investment and collaborate in engineering design and construction for the purpose of providing infrastructure for development”.

The Minister expressed the willingness of the Ministry of Works and Housing to collaborate with investors in the road infrastructure sector. He added that his Ministry was ready to partner with Turkey in the following areas:

The development of various Greenfield and Brownfield projects across the nation,  mass development of affordable housing in selected city centres across Nigeria, capacity development and mentoring for Public-Private partnership officials.

Earlier, the Minister of Trade for the Republic of Turkey, Her Excellency, Rushar Pekan disclosed that the purpose of the visit was to seek increased collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Housing with the view to increase Turkey’s trade volume in Nigeria in road construction and engineering.

Pekan who described Nigeria as one of the most important countries and the biggest economy in Africa noted that Nigeria had great potential in road construction and engineeringadding that her country was blessed with experts in that field. She therefore urged the ministry to consider Turkish investors in those areas.

She was accompanied on the visit by the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Melih Ulueren and some Turkish investors.

Nov

29

2019

We Are Critical Stakeholders To Create 10 Million Jobs For Nigerians-Fashola

The Honourable e Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN has declared that his Ministry is strategizing towards playing a vital role in supporting President Mohammadu Buhari’s determination to create 10 million jobs for Nigerians, especially for the teaming youths.

He made the declaration today at the 25th meeting of the National Council on Works in Calabar, Cross River State. The theme of the Council Meeting is ‘’ Infrastructure as the pathway for prosperity’’ which according to  him was carefully chosen to address the complex issues  of road infrastructure development in the country with the view to proffering tangible solutions to some of the problems in Nigeria , thereby giving the good people of Nigeria  qualitative services  they deserve.

Fashola who was ably represented by the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu maintained that it behoves on all Stakeholders in the Works sector to find new enduring possibilities on how to establish the link between infrastructure development and job creation, poverty alleviation and empowerment of the informal sector in ensuring that the 10 million jobs target for the next ten years by Mr. President was   achieved.

The Minister disclosed that his Ministry would effectively collaborate with other relevant agencies saddled with similar responsibilities of monitoring, maintenance and survey of roads network in Nigeria with the view to develop them to the desired standard.

He commended the Government and the good of Cross River State for providing a safe and conducive environment for the 25th Meeting of the National Council on Works and hosting the prestigious annual International Calabar Carnival event which according to him has made the ancient city, not only, a global home for entertainment but also a veritable economic hub  to reckon with , in South- South Nigeria.

In his address, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Prof. Ben. Ayade who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu urged the Federal Road Maintenance Agency to rise up to the challenge of road  maintenance , ‘’ We have thrown overboard our maintenance culture, let us revive our road maintenance culture, let us maintain the roads so that the failing path will not expand the more’’ he said.

While commending the Management and staff of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, and all the Stakeholders in the Works Sector for considering his state worthy to host the 25th Meeting of the National Council on Works, Ayade called on Federal Government to reconstruct the failed highways  in his State with concrete , adding that the Ikom, Itu, Bakasi and Katsina-Ala highways  were vital and  of Scio- economic importance to Cross River State in particular and Nigeria in general.

Nov

10

2019

We Need States To Achieve Affordable Housing In Nigeria - Fashola

Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN said that for Nigeria to achieve affordable housing for its teeming population, the Federal Government has to work with the State Governments.

Delivering his keynote address at the 8th Meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development with the theme: " Housing Development and Consumer Credit as Strategies for National Development" the Minister said that collaboration between the Federal and State Governments was very crucial in achieving affordable houses for Nigerians.

According to the Minister, the basic requirement for building and owning a house is land which is owned and controlled by the states, adding that the urban development and planning is also a matter within the jurisdiction of the states as determined by the Supreme Court. "Whether you can build a filling station, school, business centres is determined by the states, " he explained.

Fashola also noted that the issue of housing deficit in Nigeria is an urban issue. " In our rural areas there is no housing deficit, no traffic and waste management issues, these are mostly prevalent in the urban areas, " he said.

The Minister also described the theme of this year's Council as apt and carefully chosen as a step towards the ladder of prosperity, adding that, the meeting would afford participants from the Federal level the opportunity to interface with their states counterparts as a foundation for achieving national prosperity.

Continuing, Fashola also said housing projects could add value to Mr. President's vision of lifting over 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years by creating access to opportunities, income, nutrition, shelter and freedom from diseases.

"By Government's action in construction sites all over Nigeria, we are reaching out to people and moving them from Poverty to prosperity, " he said.

In his opening remarks the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Musa Bello represented by Engr. Umar Gambo Jibrin, the Executive Secretary Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCDA), said, the theme for this year's council was pertinent considering the housing deficit challenge the country is currently facing and the lack of financing to tackle it.

He said that, as one of the fastest growing cities in the world, FCT has a major problem of shortage of housing.

While calling on Financial Houses to make a long financing opportunities to address challenges in the housing sector, Bello said that, the process of land administration was transparent and that the Federal Capital Territory Administration was working to ease the collection of certificates of occupancies (C of Os).

Delivering his Goodwill message, the Chairman of Senate Committee on Housing, Senator Sam Egwu said the responsibility of any Government was to provide affordable houses for its citizens.

"We at the National Assembly will provide the legislative support to move the housing sector forward. We are ready to work on any bill sent to us, " he said.

Nov

02

2019

2019 URBAN OCTOBER: FG Calls for Collective Resolve for Sustainable Urban Development

Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has called for a collective reflection, stocktaking and strengthening partnerships, to accelerate action in the pursuit for sustainable urban development in Nigeria.

Fashola made the call in his keynote address at the commemoration of the 2019 World Habitat Day and World Cities Day yesterday in Abuja.

The 2019 Urban October has the themes:“Frontier technologies as an innovative tool to transform waste to wealth” and “Changing the World: Innovations and a Better Life for Future Generations “

The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar D.Aliyu, read the keynote address on behalf of Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola,SAN, the Minister of Works and Housing.

Fashola said we all have the responsibility to shape the future of our cities and build the type of cities we desire for our good health and well-being, and for that of our future generation.

Fashola disclosed that in partnership with  UN Habitat  the Federal Government had embarked on the review of the National Urban Development Policy as well as implementing urban renewal and slum upgrading programmes in several urban communities  across the country.

With a view to creating smart and sustainable cities across the nation, the minister maintained that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has not relented in its commitment to making sure that Nigerians have a better life by addressing the housing and infrastructure challenges and those posed by unplanned cities which led to increased slums and shanties.

He listed the various programmes already embarked upon by the Government through his ministry, which include: the on-going National Housing Programme, the launch of the National Maintenance Framework for Public Building as well as the review of the Urban Development Policy.

In his welcome address the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mohammed  Bukar, said the celebration of the World Cities Day around the world was to enable us view cities as drivers and incubators of innovations,  industries, technology, entrepreneurship  and creativity in ground breaking ways to achieve lasting impacts on the communities, and to ensure that "No one and no place is left behind as we build the future we want."

In her goodwill message, the Executive Director, UN HABITAT, Mrs. Maimunah Moh Sharif, called on stakeholders to identify ways to overcome challenges confronting urbanisation in a way that everyone’s life could be improved.

She noted that cities are the best place of innovation and creativity, assuring that UN Habitat would be ready to fully support the Federal Government in her bid to create  sustainable urbanization.

The Chairman Senate committee on Housing, Senator Sam Egwu represented by his Vice, Senator Oyelola Isa Ashiru pledged the Committee’s full support towards achieving a sustainable development of our cities.

The highlights of the event were:the Honourable Minister’s inspection of the exhibition stands and presentation of gifts to students of Witty Might Academy, Holy Child Educational Homes and Fine Trust Academy for song rendition, poem and drama presentation at the 2019 Urban October celebrations.