Fashola Unveils Business Process Automation of Certificates of Occupancy for Federal Lands The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, CON, has unveiled the Business Process Automation of Certificate of Occupancy (eCofO) for Federal Lands. The event took place at the Ministry's Conference room, Mabushi, Abuja. Fashola, in his keynote address, said that the initiative was another layer and level of technological advancement in the country and   urged the ministry to sustain and maintain it to the expected next level. He explained that manual processing of application for and signing of C.of.O which used to be cumbersome and time - consuming would stop with the introduction of this digital platform, there by ending the era of carrying several  bags of files of C of O for manual endorsement at home even on weekends. "Our digital platform is meant to make life better, the thing that used to take three months will now be available in 24 hours. I, as the head of the Ministry, will stop carrying Ghana most go filled with C of O’s from Abuja to Lagos or my house, I can now sign many of them on the system within some hours. I think that's where Nigeria as the biggest black Nation should be." He remarked. The Minister also revealed that about 2,276 files have been digitalized. In his remarks, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Folorunso Esan, said that the project was awarded on February 17, 2022 and commended   the Ministry for the successful implementation of the initiative. He confirmed that the project will boost public consumption and also enable easy payments. The Head of Department and Director, Lands & Housing Development, Mr. Felix Appah, said that the process will enthrone transparency in the activities of land certification and ownership which will greatly serve as legal collateral to such land owners in accessing loans. Accordingly, Mr. Appah listed its benefits to government as; improving efficiency in registration, prevents the issuance of counterfeit C of O, increase revenue to government, having a central digital repository for all document, reduce process time for C.of.O applications, digital archiving with index, Reduce storage and printing costs amongst others. In addition, Nigeria, implementing an electronic land titling is in line with international best practices in land administration. Highlight of the event was presentation of C.of.O to some of the recipients. ...

42nd Shelter Afrique AGM: Nigeria Emerges Chairman The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola representing Nigeria, has emerged the Chairman of Shelter Afrique (SHAF) Annual General Meeting (AGM) Bureau at the company’s’ 42nd AGM after an election held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on 11th May, 2023. Fashola expressed with humility yet with deep sense of responsibility while responding to the acceptance of his nomination as the new Chairman of SHAF.  He said “the Nigerian government is transiting to another Administration in 18days time, we are embracing change but this is what SHAF needs to make progress, the change comes in different shapes, like changing board members, new ways of raising funds, having new directions, etc. He said the organization needed to introduce new strategies to restructure SHAF. The outgoing Chairman of Shelter Afrique AGM Bureau & Zimbabwe’s Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities Hon. Daniel Garwe while making his remark said “the housing sector needs helps in wealth creation, and employment in Africa “He encouraged members to pay their subscriptions to help the company to survive in the face of Covid -19 pandemic in it's after mat while emphasizing that Africa needed Housing for its citizens. The previous election of SHAF was held in Cameron in 2021, subsequently, Rwanda will be chairing the next meeting in 2024. Nigeria is now the current host of the 2023 meeting while Algeria will host the AGM in 2025 ...

Shelter Afrique Is Stronger Than What I Inherited In 2016 – Fashola The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, CON has said ‘I feel very proud today to say that Shelter Afrique that is hosting you today is a much stronger company with better version than what I inherited in 2016 “he made this remark at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Shelter Afrique at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. Mr. Fashola said “By the collective actions of our member states, our development partners and our Board Management staff, we have surmounted very difficult challenges, some of which threatened the continuous existence of this company at a time.” The Minister said, there was a time they were looking to go back to African Union to wind down the company but today, the company stands, and it is better positioned. The Minister of State for Works and Housing , Hon. Umar Ibrahim El -Yakub in his closing remarks at the event said “ The Nigerian Housing and Built Environment Industry has a lot of potential to be explored by the Public , Private and other relevant stakeholders which can only be achieved through  partnership and collaborations between the relevant institutions locally and internationally.” The President, who was represented by  the Minister of Finance ,  Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed while reading the president’s address,  said “ Permit me to commend the roles played by the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing being the immediate host of this AGM , regarding the mandates and targets issued by the Presidency”  .She said Shelter Afrique was  one of the investments  government  has bond in the built industry. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Mohammed Musa Bello CON at the event, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the FCTA Mr. Adesola Olusade, said “the desire of every working person to own their own homes is a known fact and fundamental’’ He hoped that the outcome of the 42nd Annual General Meeting and Symposium of Shelter Afrique would address the critical needs of housing in Nigeria. The Honourable Minister of National Housing & Social Amenities, Republic of Zimbabwe, Honourable Daniel Garwe, commended the effort of the Nigerian Government for creating the enabling environment for the AGM. Mr. Garwe said “Fellow Africans we are now seated here in the Hilton Hotel reflecting on our successes and failures since the last AGM hosted in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, our Parliament is expected to compliment the efforts exerted.” The Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Shelter Afrique, Dr. Chil Akporji in her remarks thanked the Nations that have supported Shelter Afrique saying “we are grateful for the continued financial backing we get from nations that share our mission, and we wish to reaffirm our commitment to the vision of decent and affordable housing in Africa”. She also said that they were exploring practical ways to improve impact on housing markets across member countries”. Shelter Afrique Managing Director Mr. Thierno Habib Hann in his welcome address said “the planned symposium demonstrates Shelter Afrique’s commitment to improving housing and the built environment practices in the business. We expect to leave the symposium having defined the Political, Social and Economic strategies needed to enhance African's attainment of affordable housing and urban development targets. “Thierno said “understanding the incentive mechanism confronting the key players in the housing value chain, we can then discover how to easily supply adequate and reasonably priced housing for everyone, even though the cards are stacked against us.” The high point of the event was the presentation of plaque to President Muhammadu Buhari in recognition of his Government's contributions to Shelter Afrique. ...