Housing Minister to Meet Cement, Other Building Materials Manufacturers to Tackle Rising Prices   In a bid to stem the incessant rising cost of cement and other building materials and enhance the delivery of affordable housing in Nigeria, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has revealed plans to meet with manufacturers of Cement and other building materials in the country. The move is aimed at better understanding the challenges in the sector, sharpening measures to mitigate the rising cost of building materials in the country and finding sustainable ways to address them.   The Minister said this during a courtesy call by a delegation of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) to discuss the progress of the collaboration between the FMBN and the labour centres, especially as it concerns the National Affordable Housing Delivery Programme for Nigerian Workers (NAHDEP), which he initiated during his time as Managing Director of the FMBN.   He queried the recurring disproportionate increase in the price of cement in particular, especially considering that cement producers in the country source virtually all their raw materials locally. “It is disheartening to see how much Nigerians have to pay for essential building commodities like cement, with the prices rising almost on a daily basis. I don’t understand the reason for this increase, and it is not acceptable.   “I am going to be meeting with these manufacturers soon, so that they can explain to Nigerians their reasons for such incessant hikes. I know that the cement producers source their raw materials in Nigeria, the limestone, clay, silica sand, gypsum, iron ore, and the rest. These minerals abound in Nigeria and these manufacturers get them here, so there is no justification to try and blame it all on the rise of dollar”, he said.   Arc. Dangiwa assured the delegation of the commitment of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to providing decent and affordable shelter and livable communities to low- and medium-income earners, as well as the vulnerable in society. He said this also involves creating a conducive environment for private sector to thrive, including through ensuring building materials are affordable and accessible.   Recall that the Ministry in January inaugurated the Building Materials Reform Task Team as part of efforts to develop the building materials industry through the creation of Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs in each of the six (6) geopolitical zones of the country. The Minister said while the hubs are yet to come on stream, there is a need to continue to interface with players in the industry such as building materials manufacturers in a bid to promote affordability.   Speaking on the partnership between the FMBN and Organized Labour, Dangiwa emphasized the need for the FMBN to reform and innovate its operations, calling on the NLC, TUC, and NECA to see the Bank and the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme as their own that they must encourage and support the institution to do better towards delivering decent shelter to their members.   “The truth is that despite FMBN’s inadequacies, which we are working to address, there is no other home ownership platform that can provide housing to the segment of Nigerians whom you represent at the terms and conditions that the FMBN provides.   “From the single-digit interest rate on loans ranging from 6 – 7 percent versus the commercial rates of 18-24 percent in commercial housing loans, to long tenors of 30-years versus 5-to-10-year commercial tenors, zero to maximum 10 percent equity versus 30 percent equity for commercial loans, FMBN is an institution that requires the support of all stakeholders so that it works. There is absolutely no alternative”, he said.   He noted that a key priority of President Tinubu is the reform of all federal housing agencies under the supervision of the ministry, clearly demonstrated by the inauguration of the Housing Institutions Reform Task Team under the Chairmanship of Mr. Adedeji Adesemoye with representatives from other stakeholders. The team, he said, will review and facilitate necessary legislative amendments of relevant housing industry laws, including those of the NHF Act, 1992 and the FMBN Establishment Act, 1993. ...

Dangiwa Lauds Pulako Resettlement Programme for Displaced Nigerians •    Thanks President Tinubu for trusting him with "crucial national assignment" Following his inauguration as Chairman of the Steering Committee for the implementation of the Pulako Initiative, a large-scale resettlement programme aimed at revitalizing communities affected by banditry and displacements, by His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has expressed his appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as a "crucial national assignment". Arc. Dangiwa thanked the President for trusting him with such an important task of overseeing the efforts towards providing succour to victims of banditry in the country. He noted that providing resettlement options and revitalizing affected communities are part of the government's commitment to decent shelter for the vulnerable in society. The committee, inaugurated at the State House on Tuesday 13th February 2024, will initially focus on seven states that have been disproportionately affected by banditry and conflicts. They are Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna States. The Minister said he considered the appointment as a huge responsibility which he is committed to delivering on as Chairman.  "I am profoundly thankful to His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for his steadfast dedication to addressing systemic challenges to national unity, uplifting our nation, and ensuring the welfare and security of its citizens. Like several other programmes under the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President, the Pulaku Initiative serves as a beacon of hope for a better and more inclusive Nigeria. "As we embark on this significant undertaking, I am optimistic about the transformative impact that the Pulaku Resettlement Programme can have on our communities and our country. With the collective efforts of the State Governments, the distinguished committee members, and the support of stakeholders, I am confident that we can implement the initiative in a way that helps it create sustainable impact in the communities impacted by banditry crisis through the construction of residences, roads, schools, and provision of essential facilities to enhance living standards", Dangiwa said. Other members of the Committee include representatives of governors of the benefiting states, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede; Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mamman Ahmadu; BUA Group, Dangote Group, and the Director General of NEMA, amongst others. The Minister gave the assurance that he would work closely with all members of the committee towards actualizing the mandate. ...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Unveils Ambitious Nationwide Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme ●    Commends Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development on plans to turn Nigeria into a huge construction site.  ●    Housing Minister reels out plans for more new cities ad estate developments in Abuja, Lagos, twelve other locations nationwide. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR has officially launched the Nationwide Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme with the groundbreaking of a 3,112-housing unit project at the Karsana District in the Federal Capital Territory. The historic event which took place on Thursday, February 8, 2023 is in line with the government’s plans to provide decent, quality and affordable housing to Nigerians across all income brackets.  The Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Project, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, aims to revolutionize housing across the nation. In its initial phase, the Ministry plans to construct 50,000 housing units of diverse types, leveraging various funding streams such as budgetary allocations, support from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and strategic Public-Private Partnerships. During the launch event, President Tinubu underscored the paramount importance of housing as a fundamental human right, emphasizing the government's duty to ensure its provision for all citizens. He lauded the Ministry's dedication to transforming Nigeria into a construction powerhouse, signaling a robust commitment to national development. "I listened to the Minister say they are committed to transforming Nigeria into a giant construction site of Housing units. "He has shown that he is an exemplary champion that understands how to use housing as a catalyst for economic resurgence and national development. We must all be positive about our country and work together so that we can win together", he said. Addressing the audience, Honorable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, reiterated the Ministry's unwavering commitment to actualizing the Renewed Hope Vision. He outlined plans to deliver 50,000 housing units nationwide, strategically distributed across the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory, catering to various income levels and housing needs. Arc. Dangiwa further disclosed upcoming projects, including a 2,500-unit development in Ibeju-Lekki Coastal City, Lagos, and the establishment of Renewed Hope Estates in Kano and twelve other states. These initiatives, supported by government funding allocations, represent a significant step towards bridging the housing gap and promoting inclusive urban development. “Under phase One, we plan to deliver a total of 50,000 housing units across Nigeria. The Cities will have 1,000 housing units per site in one location in each of the six geo-political zones in the country and FCT, while the Estates will have 500 housing units per site in the remaining thirty (30) States.  We have designed the Renewed Hope Cities as integrated living communities targeting all income brackets. They comprise one-bedroom blocks of flats, two-bedroom blocks of flats and three- bedroom blocks of flats; two-, three- and four-bedroom terraces, four-bedroom duplexes, and five-bedroom duplexes,” he said. “On the other hand, we have conceptualized the Renewed Hope Estates to cater to low- and medium-income earners. They comprise one-, two-, and three-bedroom semi-detached bungalows. To enhance affordability and ease of offtake, we used organic designs where one bedroom can be expanded to two-bedrooms and three-bedrooms as the income of beneficiaries increase over time.  Furthermore, the program aims to address social inequality by providing a broad range of affordable ownership options. This includes single digit and up to 30-year mortgage loans to be provided by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Rent-to-Own options where beneficiaries can move in and pay towards homeownership in monthly, quarterly, or annual instalments and Outright Purchase for high income earners” he added. Expressing gratitude, Arc. Dangiwa acknowledged the president's crucial support, which included substantial budgetary allocations for housing and urban development initiatives. He also recognized the collaboration with other ministries and stakeholders, including the Ministry of Information and the FCT Minister, emphasizing the collective effort required to realize transformative change. The Karsana project exemplifies the innovative PPP model, with developers financing construction while the Ministry facilitates off-taker arrangements through flexible homeownership options like Rent-to-Own and Mortgage schemes. This approach not only accelerates project implementation but also fosters an enabling environment for sustainable urban growth. Arc. Dangiwa appealed for collaboration in infrastructure development, highlighting the importance of access roads to facilitate project execution and alleviate urban congestion. With a shared commitment to Renewed Hope, stakeholders stand poised to usher in a new era of prosperity and progress for all Nigerians. ...