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| Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola |
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”.
