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.
