Housing Ministry Trains Staff on Green Building Practices * Workshop Transformative for our Ministry, housing development - Dangiwa * Its FG's commitment under President Tinubu to do things differently, adopt global best practices The workshop was anchored by the Excellence in Design For Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) and a World Bank Group, International Finance Coorporation (IFC), in collaboration with the ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Declaring open the workshop, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa described the workshop as transformative for the ministry because it's impact will transform the thinking approach of the staff. Green Building Practice involves designing, constructing and operating buildings in an environmentally friendly manner and aims to provide residents with a comfortable, healthy indoor and outdoor environment. Dangiwa said "This administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to doing things differently by adopting global best practices that will improve the lives of the people and their health generally. The workshop is beyond presentation, rather a learning experience that will be adopted and will lead to real and tangible improvements in the way we plan and build homes in Nigeria" He explained that the ministry will set standard and example for other ministries, agencies and even private sectors to emulate, adding that the ministry is ready to embrace green building to create a sustainable future for Nigeria. Speaking earlier, the IFC EDGE Green Buildings Team Lead, Temilola Sonola, said that, Green Building would support Nigeria to adopt global best practices in order to fight against Climate Change, further disclosing that Nigeria has recorded 31 property developers, financial institutions and investors that have obtained EDGE GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION for a grand total of 35 projects in Nigeria, including diverse building types like hospitals, student accommodation and others. She further stated that, building and construction sector contributes 40% to global Green Building certification and the factors to it which are rapid growth, urban population and utilization of outdated construction. Sonola said, " complying with Green Building brings about use of less water, less energy, less waste and less infrastructure which will lead to improved air quality and living conditions. The financial benefits are enamous which includes increase in asset value and cost reduction". The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi in his remarks said, the workshop was timely as so many homes in Nigeria lack access to some of the basic amenities like water and energy among others. He said, the workshop will help the staff as they comply to boost and improve the livelihood of those that are vulnerable.
A 2- day training workshop on Green Buildings Practices for the staff of the technical departments of the ministry of Housing and Urban Development has commenced today, Wednesday, October 30th, 2024.
Gwarzo Inaugurates Implementation Committee For Renewed Hope Housing Project. Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo has inaugurated members of the Renewed Hope Housing Project Implementation Committee, comprising representatives of select departments in the Ministry and the Project Development partners. The minister charged the committee members on the need to show commitment, diligence, compassion and excellence in discharging their duties. Among the terms of reference for the implementation committee is to monitor the practical progress of the Renewed Hope Estates and Cities Housing project being developed in Karsana, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory The committee was also charged with the responsibility to formulate comprehensive strategies that will drive forward the housing agenda and in particular the speedy completion of the 3112 Renewed Hope Estates and Cities project. In his remarks, the Minister, acknowledged the significance of the Committee in addressing the housing needs of the citizens, stating that access to safe and affordable housing is a cornerstone of sustainable development and social cohesion. He reminded members of the Committee not to forget the transformative power of Housing to provide shelter and security, foster stability, provide sense of belonging and most importantly empower individuals and families to pursue their aspirations, contribute to their communities and build brighter futures. Similarly, Gwarzo also encouraged the Committee to carry out its responsibilities with optimism, determination and a shared sense of purpose in order to achieve meaningful strides towards ensuring that every individual has access to a safe, affordable and dignified place to call home. " By working collaboratively and harnessing our collective wisdom, I am confident that we can overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and create a more equitable and sustainable future for all through the Housing and Urban Development sectors" he stated Earlier, the Permanent Secretary Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi stated that the project in Karsana is speedily and commendably progressing. He said the project site is working towards meeting the completion deadline, preparatory for commissioning by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by December. Ogunbiyi highlighted some of the Committee's Terms of Reference which includes: Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Monthly Project Review Meetings, Overseeing the profiling and identification of project off-takers, among others. Responding on behalf of the Committee members, the Consultant for the consortium and Principal Partner of C23 Consultants Limited, Damola Akindolire assured the Honourable minister of the prompt delivery of the project within the earmarked period He said the commitment of the ministry shows that through collaboration and partnership, Nigerians can benefit atmost and have access to affordable housing. "The Renewed Hope is not just a Rhetoric but a commitment by the present administration under the leadership of the Minister to give Nigerians a sign of relief that houses can be available and affordable” he stated ...
Dangiwa Meets Group of African Members of the UN Habitat Executive Board · Says Nigeria’s Chairmanship will Ensure Strategic Direction for UN Habitat, etc Nairobi, Kenya - On May 7th, 2024, the Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development and Chair of the UN-Habitat Executive Board, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, engaged in a critical meeting with the Africa Group, representing 10 countries, on the sidelines of the first session of the 2024 UN-Habitat Executive Board Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya. At the meeting, Arc. Dangiwa outlined the key priorities for Nigeria's leadership of the Executive Board, as identified during the recent Retreat of the Regional Group of African States in Naivasha, Kenya. These priorities include: 1. Promoting increased strategic direction for UN-Habitat by promoting the balance between the organisation’s Mandate, the available global opportunities as well as within the United Nations Wide System and the quest for increased Resources. 2. Regular and ongoing caucusing for the benefit of the continent. Under this, he said Nigeria will call for a Ministerial Caucus, and subsidiary technical fora of the Africa Group on Human Settlements in line with the African Union Specialised Technical Committee On Public Service, Local Government, Urban Development And Decentralisation (AU-STC 8). 3. Enhanced global collaboration and engagement. He noted that Nigeria will also be working towards increased global collaboration through engagement both in consultation with Nairobi based delegations and Capitals. This will include engagements with stakeholders from other regions. Nigeria will also be calling for a platform for Ministerial Collaboration of Members of the Executive Board and would be glad to drive the agenda through the Africa Group. 4. Strengthened due diligence to maximize benefits and protect the organization's mandate. He noted that Nigeria commits to enhancing due diligence to UN-Habitat activities to ensure that the continent achieves increased benefits for its engagement within UN-Habitat in particular and the UN system in general, as well as to protect the organization from possible erosion of its mandate. Furthermore, the Honourable Minister highlighted additional continental priorities, including the celebration of UN-Habitat's 50th anniversary, the development of a new strategic plan, and the promotion of African-grown initiatives. Arc. Dangiwa expressed gratitude to Her Excellency Dr. Vivian Nain Kuma of Cameroon, Chair of the Africa Group, for convening the meeting, and expressed appreciation to all attending delegations for their commitment to the cause. He emphasized the importance of sustained and purposeful engagement in matters of human settlements, acknowledging the pivotal role played by the Africa Group in advocating for the continent's interests. Dr. Vivian Nain Kuma, in her response, congratulated Nigeria and the Hon. Minister for assuming the position of Chair of UN-Habitat as Africa’s representative. She pledged, on behalf of members of the Group, that they will work to support his agenda and ensure the success of his tenure as Chair. She encouraged the Hon. Minister to champion strategic collaboration with the Shelter Afrique Development as part of efforts to raise concessional finance to solve the continent’s housing and urban development challenges. The meeting featured a presentation by the Managing Director of Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB), Mr. Thierno-Habib Hann, who spoke on the need for strategic collaboration between the institution and UN-Habitat, especially since they share similar objectives and a unique Board leadership under Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa. Such a partnership, he said, will help unlock concessional funding necessary to meet the continent’s housing and urban development needs. ...
Dangiwa Chairs First Session of 2024 UN-Habitat Executive Board Meeting in Nairobi The First Session of the 2024 Executive Board Meeting of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme has commenced in Nairobi under the Chairmanship of Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, Nigeria’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development. The session is being held at the UN-Habitat Headquarters from May 6th to 8th, 2024. In his opening remarks at the meeting, Arc. Dangiwa tasked members of the Executive Board of UN-Habitat to redouble efforts towards repositioning the organization as an impactful global tool for tackling human settlements’ challenges in a structured and sustainable manner. “As members of the Executive Board, I must draw our collective attention to the fact that our nations, at this time, are among the privileged few tasked with the important responsibility for the regular supervision of the global human settlements agenda. We have a moral obligation to approach this duty with our best efforts, utmost sincerity, and the highest responsibility for the good of mankind. To this end, during my Chairmanship, I intend to pursue global collaboration in partnership with the various regional and political groups, and I would count on your support as I look forward to active engagement to bring this organization to its rightful footing,” he said. The Minister, who also doubles as the Chair of the 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) Bureau of the Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB), noted that he sees his unique positions as an opportunity to forge strategic alliances that are beneficial to actualizing the mandate of UN-Habitat. “I do not count it a coincidence that as the Minister of Housing and Urban Development of the most populous country in Africa, I also Chair the AGM Bureau of Shelter Afrique Development Bank, and I now Chair the Executive Board of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme. I see these strategic alignments as a call to maximize the opportunities my current positions afford me to promote more beneficial global collaborations, more international attention, and hopefully, more funding for UN-Habitat,” he noted. The UN-Habitat Executive Board is a legislative body of UN-Habitat. It comprises 36 member states elected by the UN-Habitat Assembly with 10 seats for Africa, one of which is occupied by Nigeria currently producing the Chair, 8 seats for Asia and Pacific States, 4 seats for Eastern European States, 6 seats for Latin America and Carribean States, and 8 Seats for Western European and other States. Nigeria has been a member of the Executive Board since 2019 and was granted a renewed term of two years in 2023 until 2025. The body convenes three times a year to oversee the implementation of the normative and operational activities of UN-Habitat, ensure accountability, transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness, approve and oversee the implementation of the annual programme of work and budget of the organization. Notable issues slated for discussion at the first session of the 2024 Board Meeting include financial, budgetary, and administrative matters, including the implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in accordance with the strategic plan for the period 2020–2025 and actions by UN- Habitat to address geographical and gender imbalances in the composition of its staff; updates on the draft work program of UN-Habitat and the draft budget of the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation for 2025, progress on the strategic plan of UN-Habitat for the period 2026–2029, and implementation of the normative and operational activities of UN-Habitat, including reporting on its programmatic activities in 2023 and the implementation of subprograms, flagship programs, and technical cooperation activities. The meeting will also review the implementation of the United Nations development system reform in UN-Habitat and actions taken by UN-Habitat to strengthen protection against sexual and any other type of exploitation and abuse and against sexual harassment in the workplace. The opening session had attendance representatives of the 36 member countries, the Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development of the Republic of Kenya, Hon. Alice Wahome who welcomed the members on behalf of the Kenyan President His Excellency, William Ruto. ...
Remarks At The National Council On Lands, Housing And Urban Development Delivered On Thursday 28th Of July 2022 At Sokoto On The Theme, “Housing Our People, By All Of Government And All Our People”
On behalf of the Honourable Minister of State, the Permanent Secretary and all the staff of the Ministry of Works and Housing, I welcome all commissioners, state representatives and invited persons and organizations to this year’s National Council meeting on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, the 11th in the series.
On your behalf and on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and the Federal Government of Nigeria, I would like to thank our host, my dear brother, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, the people and government of Sokoto state for accepting to host this year’s meeting and for all the provisions they have made in that regard.
Let me start by telling you how pleased I am that the National Housing Programme that was initiated by our Ministry at the onset of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration is now delivering on its objective.
Apart from stimulating the economies of the 34 states and the FCT in the communities where work is being undertaken for the construction of houses, by providing work for artisans, builders, engineers, and other skilled persons in the built industry, the construction sites have been and remain centres of supply for building materials and other commodities.
Many people who hitherto were unemployed have had their dignity restored because they can leave home every day saying to their families – I AM GOING TO WORK.
This is the part of the change we promised, and Sokoto state has not been left out.
I am also pleased to report that we are now in a season of completion, as many of these houses have been completed and are now being handed over to the beneficiaries who follow the allocation procedure set out in the National Housing Programme web portal (https://nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng ).
Across the states, the ministers of the Federal Republic have been representing President Muhammadu Buhari at the commissioning and handing over of these houses.
On the 22nd March 2022, the Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, represented the President to Commission the Sokoto State National Housing Programme. This first phase included 80 units of housing comprising 4units one bedroom, 48 units two bedroom, 28 units three-bedroom bungalows.
Today, people who had long dreamt to be homeowners now live that reality as they have been successfully allocated some of these houses.
Again, that is change.
Perhaps one of the most pleasing impacts of this National Housing initiative by the Federal Government, is that it has been used by President Buhari, to redeem the housing promise made to the 22-man squad of the Super Eagles since winning the African Nations Cup in 1994.
A promise that remained unkept for 28 years has been redeemed by President Buhari, and if you ask the members of the Super Eagles, they will tell you that things have changed for them for the better.
But the National Housing Programme is only one initiative of the Federal Government to address the housing needs of our people.
There are others by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) by way of direct construction in various states, just as the Federal Mortgage Bank has financed the construction of about 6000 housing units at various stages of completion.
Similarly, the Federal Government has increased its financing intervention support for housing through the Federal Mortgage Bank by increasing the number of mortgages that have been issued and reducing the equity contribution requirement to make it more accessible.
Of course, I cannot ignore the various interventions by State Governments who have sensibly deployed resources to provide housing in their states and our host, Sokoto state is a good example.
Let me use this platform to inform the meeting that State Governments can apply on behalf of their residents or indigenes to fund the acquisition of parts of the National Housing Programmes constructed in the states should they be so desirous.
Of course, whatever the States and Federal Governments can do by way of housing construction is limited, compared to what the private sector can do. The evidence out there shows very clearly that the bulk of housing in our society and across the world is delivered by the private sector - individuals and corporate.
In this regard, I am happy to report a visible increase in the participation of the private sector in Nigeria’s housing sector.
Nationwide on many media platforms, we daily see, hear and read about the development of one estate or the other across Nigeria and this is most welcome and must be encouraged.
And this brings me to the theme of this year’s council meeting, which is “HOUSING OUR PEOPLE, BY ALL OF GOVERNMENT AND ALL OUR PEOPLE.”
The message is that housing provision is a collaborative effort by all levels of government and the private sector.
From what I have said so far about what the Federal Government is doing, what the states are doing and what the private sector is doing, the Nigerian housing sector is heading in the right direction even if there is more work to be done.
It is to the work that needs to be done that I now intend to turn my attention.
The first thing I wish to address is that we all must remain conscious that not everybody wants a house built by government; as there are those who wish to build by themselves and only seek access to land.
We must therefore reform the process that governs allocation of land and issuance of title documents such as Certificates of Occupancy.
While the Federal Government has some land, mainly acquired from the states, the bulk of the work that needs to be done here lies with the State Governments because of their almost total control of land by virtue of the Land Use Act.
Some have argued that the Land Use Act is the problem about access to land. I beg to differ.
If there is a problem, my view is that the problem is not with law but with the administration of the law.
How much have we automated our land administration processes in order to make them efficient before complaining about that law.
States that have made this type of investment will report an improvement in their land administration system.
Today I can tell you that since 2017, when the President delegated his power under the Land Use Act to grant consent and issue certificate of occupancy, to the Minister we have issued over 5,000 certificates of occupancy and granted 2,738 consent to land transactions.
These are important documents to facilitate housing delivery and housing finance that we need to pay more attention to, in addition to the process involved in granting of construction permits and approvals.
Ladies and gentlemen, the other important matter we must pay attention to is the issue of rent.
Housing supply and demand must be seen beyond ownership alone and must include rental housing.
At the Federal Government level, we have introduced Rent-to-Own into our acquisition/sale model for the disposal of the Houses in the National Housing Programme.
I concede that majority of the houses belong to the private sector and they expect legitimate income from rent for the properties.
However, I hold a strong view that asking for 2 to 3 years rent in advance from working class people (as distinct from corporate tenants who may prefer to pay in advance) does more harm than good to all concerned and to the economy.
Interestingly, rent is a matter over which the Federal Government has no constitutional authority because it is a local matter and rightly so.
But I use the platform of this meeting to challenge and provoke all state representatives to thoughts and action about how we can make the payment of rent easier and comfortable for both tenants and landlords.
This would be a most revolutionary intervention when working class people can pay their rent when they receive their salaries.
This is possible if we try and this will give the fullest possible expression to the theme of this meeting which is “HOUSING OUR PEOPLE, BY ALL OF GOVERNMENT AND ALL OUR PEOPLE.”
Thank you for listening.
Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister for Works and Housing
Thursday 28th July 2022
Address By The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry Of Works And Housing, Bashir Nura Alkali , Fca, Fcti, At The 11th Meeting Of The National Council On Lands, Housing And Urban Development Held At Dankani Guest Palace Hotels, Ltd, 1a, Kalambaina Road, Sokoto, Sokoto State, On Wednesday 27th July, 2022
Protocols
It is my pleasure to welcome all the Permanent Secretaries and other distinguished delegates to this Technical Session of the 11th Meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development with the theme, “Housing Our People, By All of Government and All Our People”. holding right here in the ancient and historic city of Sokoto, Sokoto State, the Seat of the Caliphate.
2. We thank Almighty God for bringing all the delegates from far and near to Sokoto successfully . The Government and good people of Sokoto are also commended for their hospitality and warm reception of the delegates, given the commitment, dedication and preparations of the Government of the State, under the able leadership of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR, (Matawale Sokoto), the Governor of Sokoto State, to host this important Meeting by providing necessary supports.
3. I must commend the Permanent Secretary, Sokoto State Ministry of Lands, Survey, Housing and Urban Planning, Engr. Ahmed Moyi Tambuwal; the Sokoto State Surveyor-General, Surv. Bashir Lawal Isa; the Director-General, Sokoto Geographic Information System Agency(SOGIS), Aminu Magaji and other members of the Sokoto State Local Organizing Committee for working relentlessly with the officials of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in preparation for this year’s Council Meeting. We sincerely appreciate all your noble efforts in this regards,
4. The Theme of this year’s meeting “Housing Our People, By All of Government and All Our People”. is carefully chosen to underscore the genuine desire and priority of the present Administration towards ensuring housing provisions to the Nigerians through collective involvement and intervention of all the tiers of Governments. This is against the backdrop of the fact that housing is a basic human necessity. This Meeting is therefore important at this crucial period of this administration with a view to coming up with resolutions that would transform the Housing Sector and the entire built industry. This would also facilitate efforts of Governments towards addressing myriads of challenges confronting the country with ultimate aim of lifting 100Million Nigerians out of poverty through jobs and wealth creations.
5. You may wish to note the impressive outcomes of the 10th Meeting of the National Council that was held in Lagos in 2021 with the theme: “Housing Development as a Catalyst for Job Creation, Social Inclusion and Economic Development” which came out with far-reaching resolutions whose implementations at various levels of Governments must have impacted, positively, on Nigerians.
6. I wish to state at this juncture that the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has been fully committed to the implementation of the National Housing Programmes (NHP) in line with vision of the present Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The programme was initiated by the Federal Government in 2016 for the construction of acceptable and affordable Houses Nationwide for the purpose of addressing the nation’s housing deficit. I am glad to inform this noble Meeting that the Programme has come to fruition with the commissioning and handling over of several completed housing projects across the States in the Six (6) Geo-Political Zones of the Federation. This would in no doubt assist towards addressing the challenges of housing deficits in the Country. The construction of decent and affordable mass housing Nationwide is still on-going nationwide with the organized private sector under the “Public Private Partnership” (PPP) Programme with a view to ensuring that quality and affordable houses are provided for our people.
7. On the request of the Sokoto State Government for the support and assistance of the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development for the disposal of its 500 Housing Units, located at along Gidan Salanke Area, Kalambaina Road, Sokoto, through the Rent-To-Own Scheme of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, I am glad to notify the State that the Honourable Minister has graciously directed the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria(FMBN) to liaise with the relevant Ministry in the State on the matter. The project is also expected to be visited by the Hon. Minister during the Council Meeting
8. I must also commend the various Agencies under the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, notably the Federal Housing Authority(FHA) and the Federal Mortgage Bank (FMBN) for their initiatives and interventions towards the implementation of the National Housing Programme. I urge the States to partner with these Agencies towards the development of their housing projects for national development and growth.
9. Ladies and gentlemen, I am confident that your States have implemented many housing projects geared towards upliftment of socio - economic conditions of your people in the areas, as dividends of our democracy. You would therefore agree with me that the task of providing decent and affordable houses for our people is the collective responsibility of all of us at all the tiers of Governments. We have roles to play as key actors in decision making processes on housing matters and we must ensure that our people are not denied of access to decent and affordable housing. That is the essence of governance and we must all leave to that expectation.
9. Distinguished Members, Ladies and Gentlemen, given the cream of experts and technocrats that assembled here today. I am quite optimistic that the meeting would deliberate extensively on the memoranda presented by the Meeting of the Directors and articulate pragmatic/implementable resolutions for recommendation to the Council, when it meets tomorrow, Thursday, 28th July, 2022.
10. While welcoming you once again, I wish you fruitful deliberations.
HON MINISTER , HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ARC. AHMED MUSA DANGIWA DECLARING OPEN A TRAINING WORKSHOP ON GREEN BUILDINGS PRACTICES FOR THE STAFF OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTS OF THE MINISTRY, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30TH, 2024
Hon Minister , Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa declaring open a Training Workshop on Green Buildings Practices for the Staff of Professional Developments of the Ministry, Wednesday, October 30th, 2024
MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ARC AHMED MUSA DANGIWA INAUGURATING MEMBERS OF DISCIPLINARY TRIBUNAL FOR THE REGISTERED BUILDERS, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29TH, 2024
Minister of Housing and Urban Development Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa inaugurating members of Disciplinary Tribunal for the Registered Builders, Tuesday, October 29th, 2024