National Housing Programme: We Invest in Housing Infrastructure to Improve Quality of Life - Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that his administration embarked on massive housing infrastructure across the country in order to improve the quality of life of the citizens. Buhari said this in Dutse, Jigawa State when he commissioned 76 housing units in the state under the National Housing Programne, Thursday 14 April, 2022. The President was represented at the occasion by the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleman Hussain Adamu. He said his administration could not meet every Nigerian in person but the economic policies and investment in infrastructure of his government will positively impact on the generality of people. “Our desire and commitment towards improving the human condition and our message of change, have another facet beyond job creation. It is in response to those who have long aspired to own homes, and that dream has come true with this project, ” he said. The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr.Babatunde Raji Fashola,SAN who was represented at the event by Mr. Mu'azu Jaji Sambo  the Minister of State for Works and Housing, said there were many things to be said about the project,  from its design to economic and social impact on the community. Fashola said the project was the outcome of a national survey conducted by the Ministry of Works and Housing to find out the type of houses Nigerians desired, saying that the survey revealed the need for space such that one -bedroom units have 60-70sq metres, two-bedroom units of 76-103sq metres and three-bedroom units 110-137sq mtres. “These are extremely generous spaces compared to what is commonly available in the market,” he said. In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr. Bashir Nura Alkali, said that the national housing project was part of developmental agenda of the Buhari administration aimed at bridging the housing deficit gap in the country. Mr. Alkali, who was represented at the event by Builder Emmanuel Hengieor, the Zonal Director (Housing) North West in the ministry said the aim was to provide acceptable and affordable houses to Nigerians nationwide. He disclosed that over 1,200 building contractors have been engaged under phases I, II and III of the programme since its inspection in 2016 and more than 14,500 and 50,140 direct and indirect jobs were created nationwide. He said, “During this period, the ministry is undertaking the construction of over 6,000 housing units in 45 sites, out of which 2,465 units have been completed in 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The Governor of Jigawa State, Mr.  Muhammad Badaru who was represented by his deputy, Mallam Umar Namadi, expressed joy that the housing project was a product of the developmental change agenda of the Buhari administration. Accordingly, the Governor disclosed that Jigawa State Government in its efforts to provide affordable houses for its citizens allocated 125 hectares of land for the construction of 40 units of houses for the citizens. The commissioned 76 housing units in Jigawa State consists of 48 units of 2-bedroom bungalow, 24 units of 3-bedroom bungalow and 4 units of 1 bedroom bungalow. In his goodwill message, the Emir of Dutse, His Royal Highness, Dr. Muhammadu Nuhu Sanusi, said he was satisfied with the project and commended the efforts put in place by the Federal Government in reducing housing deficit in Nigeria. The Emir who was represented by the Wanban Dutse, Alhaji Mustapha Aminu, urged the Federal Government to do more in the housing sector by providing affordable houses particularly to the less privileged people. While speaking, the Head of the Burtilan community where the project was situated, Mallam Ahmed Garba, said he was overwhelmed with joy over the project, saying that the project has helped in improving the economic activities in his community. " The project has really helped my community because it provided opportunities for my people to work and get some money to take good care of their families and it has also brought development to the domain," he said. An artisan (head of carpentry), Mallam Abdulkareem Abdullahi, applauded the Federal Government for the project, stating that the housing projects took him to five states across the nation to handle similar carpentry job in the same federal government housing projects and he was able to tutor over forty workers in the carpentry work under him and they can now stand on their own. Mallam Abdullah further revealed that, through the projects, he was able to acquire many properties and trained his seven children up to secondary school, calling on the government to continue with such efforts so that other people like him could get the same opportunity. ...

Out Pour Of Encomiums Continues As President Muhammadu Buhari Commissions National Housing Project In Kano   …... The project has opened up activities in my area - Gama District Head .......  I thank you PMB for this project, I can now pay my children school fees -- Mohammed Lawal The people of Kano State Thursday, March 7, 2022 joined in the outpouring of commendation across the country, as President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned affordable National Housing Programme in the State. The Federal Government under the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has successfully completed Phase 1 of the National Housing Programme in 34 States including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). From Sokoto to Asaba, the story has been the same as Nigerians thanked President Buhari for the provision and commissioning of the pilot scheme of affordable, accessible and acceptable houses as contained in the National Housing Policy. So far, completed housing units under Phase 1 of the National Housing Programme have been commissioned in Kaduna, Kogi, Delta, Imo, Osun, Nasarawa, Sokoto, Niger and now Kano State. However more of such housing projects are lined up for commissioning by the President in many other states as soon as arrangements are tidied up. In Kano, the District Head of Gama Kwari Jaba, where the houses are located Mallam Musa Usman, while thanking President Buhari, said the project has really opened up his community for commercial activities, adding that his subjects derived maximum benefits by way of getting paid job in the course of the project. The ward Head prayed for the President and asked the Government to do more in order to improve the living condition of the people and curb the rate of unemployment in the country. Speaking in the same vein a labourer who was engaged during the construction, Mohammad Lawal said that with the little money he made, he was able to settle the school fees of his children and use part of it to provide food for his family. “I thank President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, for this project. God bless our President. I pray and wish him a successful end of tenure," he said. Others who spoke were: food vendors, iron benders, carpenters and other labourers that worked in the site unanimously prayed for and commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the laudable housing project. They all in separate interviews, expressed their genuine happiness in the way the project turned around their daily lives for the better, as according to them, "A means of earning their daily bread was created through the project." A total of 76-units of houses comprising, 4-units of one bedroom, 48-units of two bedroom and 24 units of three-bedroom bungalows were commissioned in Kano State. At the commissioning in Kano, the President represented by the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi, Rtd said: "This housing estate being commissioned today is an example of the fulfillment of the promise of change we made to Nigerians." President Buhari said the housing estates that were constructed in the 34 states of the federation were a clear manifestation of the progressive ideals of the present administration to improve the human condition of Nigerians. President Buhari said, “The micro, small and medium size businesses that drive the economy have unleashed a value chain of economic activities that improved the conditions of the ordinary Nigerians." Accordingly, he said, those business activities added value to human condition, saying, “In the process, Nigerians at the bottom of the pyramid such as artisans, builders, skilled and unskilled workers and food vendors were not left out of this economic value chain." Mr.President  also pointed out that the desire and commitment of his administration towards improving the human condition was gaining more impetus as jobs were being created for the teeming populace via the housing estates, adding that people who had aspired for a long time to own a home are now seeing their dreams come true with this housing projects. On his part, the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN said that as the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari draws to an end, there is great leap in completion of projects all over the federation. The Minister was represented in Kano by the Director of Public Building and Housing Development Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Arc. Solomon Labafilo. Fashola said, "As we head towards the end of President Muhammadu Buhari'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 fruits." Fashola further stated that the houses commissioned were opened to the general public in non-discriminating way by opening of the National Housing Portal to ensure transparency of bidding processes in acquiring the houses. He added that, "We welcome those who can afford to pay outright. It is not a condition of eligibility and have offered flexible payment options like mortgage and rent to own which we encourage applicants to pursue." ...

National Housing Programme Commissioning: FG Hands Over Houses To Uche, Amunike And Agu In 0werri, Imo State   ...Beneficiaries praise PMB and Fashola for redeeming the 1994 promises to Super Eagles Team  ...Beneficiaries condemn  incessant vandalisation of FG infrastructure across the country. ...PMB Commisions National Housing Project in Owerri. As the progressive train of the impactful season of completion and   commissioning in the Housing Sector moved to the South East region, Uche Okafor, Emmanuel Ammunike and Alloy Agu of the  22 members of the 1994 Super Eagles have received the keys and title deeds to the houses allocated to them by the Federal Government.  President Muhammadu Buhari handed over the houses to them during the commissioning ceremony of the completed houses under the first Phase of the National Housing Programme (NHP) at Avu Town in Imo state on Thursday, 31st March,2022.   The President, with elation, in his remark, stated that the housing project across Nigeria has provided government with the opportunity to make the impossible possible by remembering to redeem the promise of providing houses for the nation’s Super Eagles Squad for winning the 1994 African Nation’s Cup. “The progressive ideals of our government seek to achieve one objective which is to improve human condition but there is more to our message of change and improving human conditions in these housing projects. They make possible that which is impossible,” said President Buhari. He said, “It provides an opportunity to remember our heroes, the valiant Super Eagles to whom our country made a promise to provide housing for winning the 1994 African Cup of Nations, which has remained unfulfilled.”   Represented by the Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, the President said, “On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, I feel proud and privileged to redeem the promise Nigeria made to these patriotic Nigerians, even if belatedly.” In addition, “As the saying goes, it is better late than never and I have approved allocation to redeem the outstanding allocations to 22 members of the Super Eagles in National Housing Estates located in their states of choice, and their keys and title documents will be handed over at the commissioning in their states while the remainder of the housing is allocated to willing members of the public,” said the President. Earlier the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola,SAN, who was represented by Director, Public Buildings and Housing, Arc. Solomon Labafilo  said “ 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 first come , first  first served basis.”  “Today in Imo state at Along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, we have completed and are handing over 68- units of housing comprising, 24-units in condominium( 1bedroom-4, 2bedroom-16, 3 bedroom-4), 28 units 2 bedroom and 16 units 3 bedroom bungalows,” Fashola revealed. The Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr. Chkwunwike Uzo who was represented by the Zonal Director South East National Housing Programme Federal Ministry of Works and Housing Arc. Iquo Lucy Uzodinma remarked “For the benefit of Nigerians on this initiative, over 1,200 building contractors have been engaged under phases I, II, and III of the programme since the inception in 2016 and over 14,500 and 50, 140 direct and indirect jobs have been created. During this period, the Ministry is undertaking the construction of over 6,000 housing units in 45 sites, out of which 2,465 units have been completed in 34 States and the Federal Capital Territory. The Traditional Prime Minister of the host community, Avu, Major General Rowland Ogbonna (Rtd) said they are part of the Federal Government as members of the community and they are part of the process in actualizing the project in the area. He said it took determined effort of the community to ensure that the project was successful without hindrance.  “We endorse and appreciate the National Housing in the community,” he said. One of the beneficiaries, Ex Super Eagle Captain and Goal Keeper who was also the Assistant Coach  of the Super Eagles, Alloy Agu said “It is a day of fulfillment after waiting for 27 years plus and today we are able to receive what we have long waited for. We thank God and we appreciate the Federal Government for redeeming this pledge.” On issue of the vandalisation of federal government projects going on across Nigeria, Agu responded, “My advice is that we have to take good care of Nigeria. We stand for Nigeria within and outside the shores to make sure that this country is being protected and we can’t be among those that will be destroying what Nigeria has achieved. We have to secure Nigeria and not to destroy it.” Mrs. Uche Nwanze who stood for the family of the late ex super eagle, Uche Okafor who is also a beneficiary remarked “I thank the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari for remembering the beneficiaries at this time and I also thank Mr Raji Babatunde Raji Fashola.”   While advising the youths she said, “People must not resort to spoiling government properties for any reason, rather they must exert their energies in learning skills and protect government infrastructure.” Emmanuel Amunike, the third beneficiary who was represented by Balogun Adewale at the event said, “It is unbelievable and it is reality after 27years that this handing over is taking place today.” Encouraging the citizens to be united and supportive of government projects, Amunike said, “Ths is our country; we don’t have any other we can go, Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa have to come together so that we can make this country great.” One of the contractors, the Facility Manager of National Housing Programme Imo State,  Felme Consults Nig. Ltd Mr. Felix Abunde said, “Federal Ministry of Works and Housing led by Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN has responded speedily towards the completion of this project and funding was never an issue that is why the project is completed as at the time due.” My advice to the youths is that they must do the right thing by acquiring the relevant skills and certificates because this present government has given opportunity to Nigerians to be involved in procurement process and projects “  Chiekzie Anyeabu, an alluminium fabricator who revealed he was the one who installed all the windows of the houses had this to say, “I thank Fashola he has been creating jobs for the masses through the construction of National Housing Programme across the country for the Igbos, Yorubas and the Hausas and other tribes. I also thank him for helping us to showcase our work.”  Ikeji Ethelo, a food seller at the site said her sales in snacks and drinks have been more than double since the commencement of the project and thanked Federal Government for creating the opportunities to increase her income and take home pay. Representatives of Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, State Governments, Traditional rulers, members of the community and relevant stakeholders were all at the event.   ...