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.   ...

Tambuwal, Sultan Hail FG At Commissioning Of Sokoto’s National Housing Programme ·    As Season of Completion, Impact in Housing Sector moves to Sokoto Emirate .    Primary objective of our administration is to improve living conditions of Nigerians”, says Buhari ·   Nigerians will witness more in days to come  -  Fashola The progressive train of the Federal Government arrived Sokoto on Tuesday 22, 2022, as President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned 80 housing units completed in the State by the Ministry of Works and Housing under the government’s ongoing National Housing Programme (NHP) across the country. The commissioning, witnessed by prominent dignitaries and stakeholders in the state, was the sixth of its kind since the government’s Season of Completion and Impact commenced nationwide in the Housing Sector barely a fortnight ago. Speaking on behalf of his people, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Mohammad Sa’ad Abubakar, whose goodwill message was rendered in Hausa language, praised the Buhari administration, for its untiring commitment to the fulfillment of its mandate of change to Nigerians saying his Emirate would remain grateful to the Federal Government for extending the programme to it. The Sultan, who was represented by the Ardon Shuni of the Emirate, Alhaji Muhammad Harande II, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the project and also urged all the allottees of the houses in the State to take proper care of them in order to derive the maximum impact intended to be achieved. In his keynote address at the occasion President Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, described the completion of the housing project as a fulfilment of the promise of change his administration made to the people at its inception.   Buhari, who expressed appreciation to the Sokoto State government for the intergovernmental collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing through the provision of the land for the project, described it as “one of the developmental approaches across the levels of government”. The President was delighted that, through the housing constructions, contracts were given to Micro, Small and Medium enterprises and business men and women were engaged, while skilled and unskilled workers got employment adding that the programme has “unleashed a value chain of economic activities that have made positive impacts in the lives of ordinary Nigerians”. "These are some of the people our country remains committed to move towards prosperity and away from poverty and we are already reaching them by providing opportunities for employment for those who were hitherto unemployed”, he said.   The President described as, “one of the great leaps” in the  fulfilment of promise of change made by his administration, the approval of the allocation of houses to 22 members of the 1994 Super Eagles Team in their various states, in fulfilment of a pledge made to them 28 years ago by the then Federal Government. In his goodwill message, the Sokoto State Governor, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Manir Muhammad DanIya, commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, for the construction of the housing estate in Sokoto which he said was “a great effort towards providing affordable houses for Nigerians”. In his own remarks, Fashola, who was represented by the Director Information and Communication Technology of the Ministry, Mrs. Olayemi Sotomi, stated that Nigerians would witness many more commissioning of completed projects as President Buhari's tenure draws nearer adding that many more projects would soon start to bear fruit.   According to the Minister, the 80 housing units under Phase 1, comprising 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units, have been completed in Sokoto State adding, "In terms of design, this project is the outcome of a national survey conducted by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to find out the type of houses Nigerians desire”. He explained that the survey revealed a preference for bungalows in Northern Nigeria and flats in Southern Nigeria, adding that the survey also showed the need for space which, according to him, “is why the one-bedroom units are 60 - 70 square metres and two-bedroom units 76 - 103 square metres while three-bedroom units are110 - 137 square metres”. Fashola also disclosed that the housing units are offered to the public through the National Housing Portal at https://nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng/”to ensure that interested buyers are not inhibited by any “artificial obstacle and allocations are made on the basis of those who apply and pay on a first-come- first-served basis”.   The Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Engr. Chukwunwike Uzo, who was represented by the Federal Zonal Director Housing, North West, Builder Emmanuel Hangeoire, stated that the Ministry was promoting local content in the building construction in line with Executive Orders 3 and 5.   According to Engr. Uzo, at least 1,200 building contractors have been engaged under Phases I, II and III of the housing programme since 2016 and over 14,500 and 50,140 direct and indirect jobs have been created.   “During this period, the Ministry has been undertaking the construction of at least 6,000 housing units at 45 sites out of which 2,465 units have been completed in 34 States and the Federal Capital Territory”.   ...

Kaduna, Kogi, Osun States’ Residents Upbeat As FG Commissions 228 Housing Units ·         President  says housing estates being commissioned represent fulfillment of the promise of Change by his administration ·         Fashola reiterates determination of government to ensure transparency of bidding process in acquiring the houses through the National Housing Portal ·         Project is not only addressing the housing deficit but also providing jobs for Nigerians as well as stimulating the economy – Governor El-Rufai ·         Lawmakers, Traditional Rulers hail FG “for continuous efforts in alleviating the problem of housing in the country, especially for the less privileged Kaduna, Kogi and Osun States Monday, March 14, 2022 received the progressive train of the administration of President Buhari moving across the country as the Federal Government commissioned a total of 228 housing units in the States, bringing to five the number of States where the government’s Season of Completion and Impact in the Housing Sector has delivered houses in the last two weeks. Other States where the train has stopped over during the period include Nasarawa State where President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Hon. Muhammed Abdullahi, commissioned 76 housing units located in Lafia, the State capital and Delta State where the President, represented by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, commissioned 68 housing units all under the administration’s National Housing Programme (NHP). Out of the 228 housing units delivered at Monday’s Commissioning, Kaduna State got 80 units, while Kogi State got 76 and Osun State 72 units of houses which are in the categories of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom bungalows and condominium as is also being built in 34 states of the Federation in the first Phase. In his keynote address at the commissioning ceremonies, President Buhari reiterated the commitment of his administration to the fulfillment of its campaign promise of Change to the people of Nigerian in 2015 adding, “The housing estates being commissioned today is an example of the fulfillment of the promise of Change we made”. President Buhari who was represented at the commissioning by the Honourable Ministers from the respective beneficiary states also stated that the housing estates was a clear manifestation of the progressive ideals of his administration to improve the human condition of Nigerians. In Kaduna State, the President was represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Muhammed Mahmoud Abubakar,  while the Minister of  State, Federal Capital Territory, Ramatu Tijjani represented him in Kogi State and Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola stood in for him in Osun state. The President expressed delight that the desire and commitment of the administration towards improving the human condition was gaining more impetus as jobs were being created for the teeming populace via the housing estates, stating that people who have aspired for a long time to own a home were now seeing their dreams come true with the housing projects. According to the President, “The business activities going on at the sites of these housing projects have added value to human condition, and Nigerians, especially at the bottom of the pyramid such as artisans, builders, skilled and unskilled workers and food vendors, are not left out of this economic value chain”.  In his own remarks, the Minister of Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, noted that there is a great leap in the completion of projects all over the Federation as the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari draws to an end adding that the houses commissioned were open for subscription to the general public “in a non-discriminatory way through the National Housing Portal to ensure transparency of bidding processes in acquiring the houses”.  "We welcome those who can afford to pay outright but it is not a condition for eligibility because we have offered other flexible payment options like Mortgages and Rent-to-Own which we encourage applicants to pursue”, the Minister said. In his goodwill message at the commissioning In Kaduna state, the State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who was represented by his Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Arc. (Mrs.) Fausat Ibukunle, said the project was not only addressing the housing deficit in Nigeria, but also providing jobs for Nigerians as well as stimulating the economy. Commending the President and the Minister of Works and Housing “for the laudable project”, the Governor, who said it would help improve and promote the welfare of the people of Kaduna State, added, “The engagement of the contractors, suppliers and all those that were employed in the building process has actually stimulated the economy”. Also commending the President and the Minister for the project, the Senator representing Kaduna Southern Senatorial Zone, Senator Danjuma Laah,  noted that the developmental projects all over the country were outstanding, adding that the 9th National Assembly was happy and would be part of the success story by making sure they form part of the commissioning that would be done  all over the country. In his own goodwill message, the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmad Nuhu Bamali, also commended the President and called for the institutionalization of a maintenance economy to ensure that the estate was maintained and kept in good condition. In Osun State, the Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, who was represented by the State’s Commissioner for Lands and Physical Development, Mr. Nathaniel Agunbiade, disclosed that the state government provided 10.266 hectares of land at Abere for the housing project and called on Osun indigenes to key into the project while also urging the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to complete the phase two of the project.  His Royal Highness, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, in his goodwill message, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the housing estate saying, “When the construction of the houses was ongoing, jobs were created for the people of this community and they benefited immensely from the construction activities." Governor Yahaya Bello, who was represented at the Kogi State phase of the event by his Special Adviser on Project Monitoring, Alhaji Usman Ochidi, thanked President Buhari “for the promise kept for the Kogites”. "I thank and appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari and the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, for what they have done across the country for the benefit of all Nigerians. I appreciate all those who worked tirelessly to accomplish this project," he said. Also, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Housing, Senator (Dr.) Sam Egwu, represented by Senator Jibril Isah Echocho, expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for the continuous efforts in alleviating the problem of housing in the country, especially for the less privileged who, he noted, “are now enjoying the series of change that is taking place in Nigeria”. The Maiyaki of Lokoja, Alhaji Halilu, who represented His Royal Highness, Alhaji Kabir Mohammed Maigari lll, described the commissioning of the houses as “clear evidence of promise kept by the President”, adding, "Right from the onset, we know that all things being equal, this housing estate will be completed and commissioned before the end of this administration bearing in mind Mr. President's zero tolerance for abandoned projects. We are grateful” ...