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| L-R, Controller, Hon. Shehuri (middle), Builder Bolarin and Engr. Olurinola in Lafia, |
The Hon. Minister of State for
Power, Works and Housing, Hon Mustapha Baba Shehuri said President Muhammadu
Buhari's administration is unequivocally committed to addressing the housing
needs of Nigerians through the National Housing Programme (NHP).
The Minister gave this assurance during
a courtesy call on the Governor of Niger State, who was represented by the
Acting Governor, Alhaji Ahmad Muhammed Ketso.
Shehuri, while on the first leg
of his inspection tour of NHP sites in the North- Central geo-political zone
stated that the Programme was part of Federal Government's campaign promise to
provide critical infrastructure that would enhance the socio- economic
development of the country.
He informed Ketso that the
Ministry was constructing about 80 housing units in the state in the first
phase of the Programme, while promising that the state would benefit more as
government continues to drive the Programme. The minister however thanked
the Acting Governor for the magnanimity of the state in providing a 5 - acre plot
of land for the NHP, adding that the location of the site is amongst the best
in the country.
In his response, the Acting
Governor said the state will continue to collaborate with the Federal
Government in bringing development to the people geared towards improving their
living standards.
He, however, observed that local
contractors in the state were not being considered in the Programme and
appealed to the Minister to consider them in subsequent phases of the Programme
in accordance with the "local content" component of the laudable
initiative. He also advised the Ministry to maintain quality supervision of all
its projects in its quest to deliver enduring and quality services to the
people.
On his part, the Federal
Controller of Housing, Niger State, Mr. Felix Appia, while commending the
collaborative efforts between the State and the Federal Government in the
execution of Federal Government projects, disclosed that the Ministry
apart from the housing Programme, is also undertaking other projects such as solar-powered
boreholes and construction of classroom blocks, under the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) projects and the renovation of the Federal Secretariat
Complex.
The Minister later proceeded to
inspect the construction site situated within the Three Arms Zone, where he met
with contractors, artisans, suppliers of building materials, food and allied
items vendors. They expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the
laudable initiative, stating that the Programme has opened up new vistas of opportunity
for them to revive their means of livelihood.
Hon. Shehuri expressed
satisfaction at the pace and quality of on-going works at the construction
site, while urging the contractors to sustain the tempo and be consistent in
the use of the best quality materials for the buildings. The 80 - unit Housing
Estate comprises of 4 units of one-bedroom, 52 units of two-bedroom and
24 units of three-bedroom, which are at various stages of completion.
In Ilorin, Kwara State, the
Minister, while on a courtesy call on the Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, who was
represented by the Deputy Governor, Elder Peter Kisira (JP) re-emphasize the
need for collaboration between the state and the Federal Government in the
provision of affordable housing to Nigerians. He equally appreciated the effort
of the state government in the provision of choice land for the NHP.
While at the 72-unit on-going
construction site, Hon. Shehuri, in an interactive session with Ministry's
officials, contractors, artisans, labourers, suppliers of building
materials, food vendors and others, stated that the essence of NHP, apart from
the provision of affordable housing, is to add value to the wellbeing of
Nigerians by creating employment as well as encourage standardization of
building materials which will boost local content.
The Federal Controller of
Housing, Kwara state, Arc. Felix Ale, while briefing the Minister on progress
of work, disclosed that the Estate comprise of 4 units of one-bedroom flats, 44
units of two-bedroom and 24 units of three-bedroom apartments, promising that
with sustained funding of the project, speed and quality are assured.
Also, at the construction site of
a 76-unit Housing Estate in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, the Federal
Controller of Housing, Arc. Veronica Enesi gave the break down as 4 units of
one-bedroom, 48 units of two-bedroom and 24 units of three-bedroom apartments.
The Minister assured the contractors of prompt payment for satisfied jobs,
while admonishing officials supervising the project to adhere strictly to
specifications and timelines of the contract.
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