National Housing Programme, Evidence Of Fulfilment Of Our Administration's Promise Of Change To Nigerians – Buhari •    FG has delivered similar projects in 34 States with the support of the Governors who provided land – Fashola •    Minister dismisses false report of fatal accident during recent inspection of 2nd Niger Bridge •  Delta State Governor, traditional ruler, Contractors, Artisans, Food Vendors commend FG for economic, life improving infrastructure From the North Central State of Nasarawa, the progressive train of the Season of Completion and Impact in the Housing Sector moved to the South South State of Delta on Thursday with the commissioning of completed homes under the first Phase of the National Housing Programme at Issele Azagba in Aniocha North Local Government Area of the State by President Muhammadu Buhari. The President, who was represented by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN at the commissioning stated that the National Housing Programme (NHP) is an example of the promise of change made to Nigerians by the current administration. “Our desire and commitment towards improving the human condition and our message of change, have another facet beyond job creation. It responds to those who have long aspired to own a home, and that dream has come true with this project,” Buhari said. The President remarked, “When our Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), sought your mandate to form Government in 2015, one of the things we promised was change.” Responding to a journalist’s question shortly after the commissioning, the Minister dismissed a false report in the media that he was involved in a motor accident during his inspection tour of the ongoing 2nd Niger Bridge in Delta and Anambra States. He said, “We were in Asaba two days ago with the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari to inspect ongoing works at the second Niger Bridge.  It is unfortunate that some sections of the media chose to tell sensational premium lies, we were not involved in any accident.” Earlier, the Minister of Works and Housing, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Housing, Mr. Biodun Oki, said “In 34 States of Nigeria, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works and Housing, has delivered projects like this with the support of the State Governors who provided the land.” “There are many things to be said about this project, from its design to the economic impact and the social impact on this community. In terms of design, this project is the outcome of a national survey conducted by the Ministry of Works and Housing to find out the type of houses Nigerians desired,” he said. The Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr. Chukwunwike  Uzo  who was represented by the Director, Public Buildings and Housing in the Ministry , Arc. Solomon Labafilo remarked, “The Ministry is promoting local content in line with Executive Orders 3 and 5. The use of available local building materials in the National Housing Programme has stimulated the economy through the production and use of the materials. The overall economic value chain arising from the housing construction activities is mostly beneficial to the Nigerian youths. ‘’ Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi  Okowa who was  represented by   the Commissioner of Housing in Delta State, Chief Festus Ochonogor  noted that shelter being an essential part of human needs, a housing estate like the one being commissioned is part of the crucial development of the society.  He said the housing gap can be bridged through Public and Private Partnership to address the housing needs of the people. In his goodwill message, the Asagba of Asaba , HRH Joseph Chike Edozien ,  represented by the Osowa Owelle Asaba , Engr. Chris Chukwurah said , “This project is number one in this country and we thank the Federal Government for siting this edifice in this area and for giving some of these houses to Super Eagle players to actualize the promise made to them by  the Abacha regime. “ Engr. Chukwurah added that the National Housing Programme  has contributed to the economic prosperity of the people within the area. He enjoined the beneficiaries to maintain the houses in order to spur the Federal Government to provide more. House of Representatives Member representing Aniocha North /South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu represented by Hon. Anthony Okeibuno said the Federal Government is collaborating with the Delta State Government in developing housing and other critical infrastructure in the state. He said, “I congratulate the beneficiaries and I enjoin them to make good use of the houses.” One of the contractors who built the units of houses in the Estate, Engr. Nze Upright thanked the Minister for his consistency in following up the projects through to the stage of commissioning. He appealed to the Federal Government for more funding for the Second Phase of the National Housing Programme. One of the artisans, Stephen Achi, said that he thanked the President and the Minister for the housing projects because working with the contractors made him earn enough to start his own personal project. A food seller at the site of the building, Promise Innocent expressed her satisfaction with the projects because her earning capacity has improved since the beginning of the housing project as workers and the artisans on site patronized her shop and five other shops within the site. Some of the dignitaries at the event included Directors from the Ministry and some members of the Delta State Executive Council.  The NYSC Band Delta State and other traditional cultural musical groups in Delta State   were also at the event of commissioning to entertain the guests. ...

FG Redeems 28 Years’ Pledge, Allocates Houses to 1994 Super Eagles …As Commissioning of Homes Completed Under the National Housing Programme Kicks off in Nasarawa State The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the allocation of houses to 22 members of the 1994 Super Eagles in their various states, thereby fulfilling a pledge made to them 28 years ago by the then Federal Government. President Buhari stated this in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Monday, March 7, 2022 during the commissioning of the completed homes under the administration’s National Housing Programme initiative.   The commissioning was the first in the series of the formal commissioning lined up to take place in 34 States of the federation where Phase I of the houses has been completed. Represented by the Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr Muhammed Abdullahi,  President Buhari described the completion of the housing projects as a fulfillment of the promise of change that was made to the people by his administration.  The President also praised the Nasarawa State Government for providing the land for the project, describing it as one of the developmental possibilities that intergovernmental collaboration can produce.  Accordingly, he said that the provision of the housing estates across the country was informed by the government's desire to achieve one of its primary objectives which is to improve the human condition. The President said that the housing projects provided contracts for the Micro, Small and Medium business men and women who provided employment for people through the engagement of skilled and unskilled workers thereby unleashing a value chain of economic activities that have made a positive impact 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.  In his address, the Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule who was represented by the State’s Commissioner of Works, Engr. Idris Muhammed Idris, described the construction of the housing estate as a landmark achievement of the Federal Government in its effort to provide affordable and conducive accommodation for Nigerians. The Governor expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the numerous federal projects undertaken through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.  In a remark, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN, represented by the Director of Public Building and Housing, Architect Solomon Labafilo, stated that, as the end of President Buhari's tenure draws near, Nigerians will witness a season of completion when many projects will start to bear fruit.    He explained that 76 housing units under Phase One have been completed in Nasarawa State comprising 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units.  Fashola said, "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 is why the one bedroom units are 60 - 70 square metres,  two bedroom units 76 - 103 square metres and three bedroom units have 110 - 137 square metres. Fashola who said 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.  Director overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Engr. Chukwunwike Uzo represented by the Zonal Director North Central, Engr. Valentine Nwaimo informed the audience that the Ministry is promoting local content in the building construction in line with Executive Order 3 and 5. Engr. Uzo disclosed that at least 1,200 building contractors had been engaged under Phase I, II and III of the housing programme since 2016 and over 14,500 and 50,140 direct and indirect jobs have been created.  He also said that during this period the Ministry is undertaking the construction of at least 6,000 housing units in 45 sites out of which 2,465 units have been completed in 35 States and the FCT.   ...

Inadequate Qualified Artisans Contribute to Building Collapse - Works & Housing Minister Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo has emphasized the need for competent artisans in the Real Estate Sector as one of the ways of preventing building collapse in the country. The Minister made this attribution while speaking to members of the Construction Skills Training and Empowerment Project (C- STEMP) led by a former Minister of state for Health, Arc. Gabriel Yakubu Aduku who paid a courtesy visit to his Office, Thursday 17th February, 2022 Sambo said "we all know that one of the reasons for building collapse in this country is attributable to the prevalence of the use of unskilled artisans." He praised the effort of C-STEMP in coming up with an initiative to fill what he described as a huge gap in the built environment and promised to support them." It has been a huge gap in our industry, the construction industry like we all know requires skilled workers. I want to assure the delegation today that they should see us as their partner," he said. On the request by the delegation for the reconstitution of the Board of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), the Minister promised to discuss with the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, H.E, Babatunde Fashola, SAN and expressed confidence that it would be treated with priority attention. Accordingly, Sambo reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to completing the affordable housing development scheme in Gwagwalada, Abuja. Disclosing that funding would be made accessible to subscribers through the Federal Mortgage of Nigeria. Describing the construction industry as large employer of labour, Sambo said, "millions of Nigerians will be able to put food on their tables if we have a vibrant construction industry." Earlier, the Director General of the Organisation, Anthony A Okwa, FNIOB informed the Honourable Minister that C- STEMP was spurred by the Construction Ideas Fund (CIF) initiated in 2013 by Growth and Empowerment Scheme and the DFID to address the challenge of severe shortage of skilled manpower in the Real Estate sector of the country. He explained that C-STEMP which has the objective of breaking the paradox of high unemployment and poverty in the midst of severe shortage of skilled manpower in the construction industry, is the pioneer Construction Skills Training provider approved by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). Accordingly, Okwa further said that the Organisation had embarked on several training programmes at home and abroad to boost the supply of competent artisans and craftsmen. He revealed that C- STEMP is currently working with The Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria, (CORBON) and the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) National Skills Qualification, NSQ, Framework through the provision of induction, training and assessment of practicing artisans towards attainment of competence certification in line with National Occupational Standards for construction trade. The Director General also extended invitation to the Honourable Minister of State to attend the year 2022 edition of the Construction Artisans Award scheduled to hold at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja between 28 - 29 of March, 2022. ...