Speech By The Hon. Minister Of Works And Housing Represented By The Director Public Building & Housing Development, Arc. Solomon Labafilo At The Commissioning Of The National Housing Programme In Imostate On 31st March, 2022.
On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria and President MuhammaduBuhari, I bring glad tidings and best wishes to the people and Government of ImoState.
We gather together to harvest the fruit of our investment and to commemorate the completion of the National Housing Programme’s Pilot in Imo State.
As we head towards the end of President MuhammaduBuhari’s tenure of office, I am happy to also say that we enter a season of completion when many projects such as this begin to bear fruit.
In 34 States of Nigeria, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works and Housing, has delivered projects like this with the support of the State Governors who provided the land.
Today in Imo State at Along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, we have completed and we are handing over 68-units of Housing comprising, 24-units in condominium (1 bedroom-4, 2bedroom-16, 3 bedroom-4), 28-units 2 (TWO) Bedroom and 16-units 3 (THREE) Bedroom bungalows.
There are many things to be said about this project, from its design to the Economic impact and the social impact on this community.
In terms of design, this project is the outcome of a national survey conducted by the Ministry of Works and Housing to find out the type of houses Nigerians desired.
The survey revealed a prevalent need for bungalows in the North of Nigeria and flats in the South of Nigeria.
The survey also revealed the need for space such that our houses have one-bedroom units of 60-70 sq. metres, Two-bedroom units of 76 – 103 sq. metres and Three Bedroom Units 110 – 137 of sq. metres. These are extremely generous spaces compared to what is commonly available in the market.
This certainly ensures that the product that is delivered is acceptable to those it is intended for, while it is competitive in the market.
We have offered all these housing units to members of the general public in a non-discriminatory way by opening the National Housing Portal at https://nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng/ to ensure that those interested are not inhibited by any artificial obstacles and allocations will be made on the basis of those who apply and pay on a first come, first served basis.
While we welcome those who can afford to pay outright, it is not a condition for eligibility and we have offered flexible payment options like mortgages and rent to own which we encourage applicants to pursue.
The story of these housing projects which are now visible and available in 34 States of Nigeria would be incomplete without the efforts of many Nigerians who contributed to its delivery.
To members of the private sector, especially Architects who volunteered their time to work with Architects and other staff of our Ministry at the conception stage to advise on the design, I thank you for your contribution to Nation building.
To my colleagues in the Federal Executive Council who supported this idea and approved the initiative; your votes have birthed fruits of development and impacted lives.
To the legislators in the 8th and 9th National Assembly and members of the Senate and House Committees on Housing, who questioned, challenged and supported us with year-on-year appropriation and undertook oversight visits to monitor progress, I believe your constituents can see from these houses, some evidence of your representation.
To our contractors, suppliers and all those employed in the building process, I thank you for contributing to nation building.
I will now conclude by inviting Mr. President to conduct the commissioning and handing over of this estate.
Thank you for your attention.
Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Works and Housing
