Fashola Commends UN-Habitat’s Commitment in Addressing Global Challenges of Urbanisation Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola has commended the United Nations Human Settlements Programmes (UN-Habitat) for its commitment towards addressing the global challenges of urbanization. Fashola spoke today in his office while receiving a delegation of the UN-Habitat Mission who paid him a courtesy visit to brief him on the outcomes of the validation workshop on the evaluation of the memorandum of understanding between the Federal Government of Nigeria and UN-Habitat which was held in Abuja. The Minister who requested the UN body to supply more information on the areas of intended collaboration, also told the delegation that, as a conscious national strategy, Nigeria would look out for how investment would grow our economy and develop our people Fashola  noted  that  the  challenges  of  housing  needs  were  more  pronounced  in  urban  cities  than  in  rural  communities, adding  that  there  was  the  need  to  get  data  on  where  people  want  houses,  the  type  of  houses  and  affordability. He  added  that  there  was  the  need  to  work  out  a  strategy  on  housing  to  meet  the  interest  of  all  stakeholders. The Minister assured the delegation that the Federal Government of Nigeria would continue to collaborate and work with the UN body to achieve the clear mandate of the UN- Habit Programme The head of the UN-Habitat delegation Dr. Naison Mutizwa- Mangiza, earlier told the Minister about some key outcomes of the validation workshop which include among others; review of the MOU between UN-Habitat and Nigeria, setting up technical committee to review the MOU, data collection on housing infrastructure, project conceptualization and management and knowledge and technology transfer. He also told the Minister about the forthcoming Conference of Ministers’ of Housing scheduled for Abu Dhabi next year 2020 and extend invitation to Nigeria to attend Earlier at the opening of the Workshop, the Minister of State Works and Housing, Engineer Abubakar Aliyu, expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation and harmonious working relationship between the Federal Government and the UN-Habitat in the implementation of the various sustainable human settlements programmes in Nigeria. He recalled that the Federal Government of Nigeria signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the UN Human settlement Programme Support (UN-Habitat) in 2001 to establish a UN-Habitat Programme Support Office (HAPSO) in Abuja, Nigeria, explaining that the mandate of HAPSO was derived from the UN-Habitat’s United Nations General Assembly global mandate to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. Engineer Aliyu further explained that, the 2014-2015 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) specifically mandates HAPSO to “assist interested Governments at Federal, State and Local levels in Nigeria through, Technical Cooperation, field projects, provision and exchange of expertise, networking, public information, capacity building and consulting services” under the guidance of UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Africa.  The Validation Workshop was organised by the UN-Habitat in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, to give opportunity to stakeholders to review the operations of UN-Habitat Programme Support office (HAPSO) in Nigeria. The HAPSO office became operational in October 2003 in Abuja, Nigeria. “We believe the urbanization challenges in Africa require African solutions. For this reason, Nigeria has been at the fore front of championing the African Urban Agenda which is aimed at mobilizing nations to unite in its quest for ‘home made’ solutions to her urbanization challenges and to contribute in unison to the global urbanization debate” Aliyu said   ...

FG Rolls Out 76 Housing Units In Kogi State The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Housing Programme, has delivered on its promise to provide housing for its teeming population, 76 Housing Units of Three, Two and One Bedroom Flats in Lokoja, Kogi State. Engr. Valentine Nwaimo, Zonal Director, National Housing Programme (NHP) North Central zone, Federal Ministry of Power Works and Housing, made this known when the Ministry embarked on a Media Tour of all the Housing units within the Programme in the North central zone to ascertain the level of progress of work. Engr. Nwaimo said 76 units have been fully completed within the estate, its road infrastructure was at a 100% completion, Electricity 93% while Water supply was at 53% Nevertheless, the whole building works would be delivered by March, 2019. This was part of Governments’ efforts at ameliorating housing deficits experienced within the country, he said. On how to access the buildings, Engr. Nwaimo said the Ministry will make public modalities for purchase as soon as it was finalized. While the 2nd Phase of the project would kick off as soon as necessary paper works have gone through Due Process and land allocations have been concluded, he added. Speaking with Pressmen, Arc. Hajara Enesi Team Leader/ Controller of NHP, Kogi State described the opportunities made available to the indigenes in the area of artisanry, food and water vending, supply of building materials etc. Arc Enesi  stated that over 5000  Nigerians were engaged for skilled and unskilled labour while the project lasted. She said the ripple effect has brought development to the whole area which was known for nefarious activities before now and in turn advanced the economy as a whole. Arc. Enesi added that all materials used on the project were locally sourced within the state in line with the Presidential Executive Order 5 meant to improve local content and free up job opportunities for Nigerians. ...

FG Demands Professionalism In The Building Sector The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola has urged experts to exhibit the spirit of sacrifice and professionalism in their services as government continues to provide critical infrastructure to Nigerians. Fashola, in the company of the Minister of State II, Surv. Hassan Zarma, said this when he received Members of the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja. The Minister, who commended the sense of purpose, manifesting in the achievements of the Board within one year of its inauguration, and urged members to be more professional, saying that “if the professionals deliver, Nigeria will deliver”. He emphasized that doing so will eliminate quackery in the system. Furthermore, Fashola explained that the 10% valuer and 25% reposition fees charged by professionals in the field “builds unsustainable economy, citing the 2nd Niger Bridge and the Bodo- Bonny Bridge which runs into billions of naira and requested the Board to review the charges. The Minister also encouraged members to create a baseline data for all empty houses with information for sale or rental value, adding that those empty houses can be livable. He argued that a real economy must reflect indices of exchange rate, inflation and growth rate. Earlier, the Chairman of the Board, Sir Nweke Umezuruike, while inviting the Ministers to the launch of the Green Book ‘The Nigeria Valuation Standards’ presented to him, explained that within the year, the Board has made some remarkable strides in the improved Adhesive Stamps, the publication of the Green Book amongst others. Umezuruike also sought the Minister’s assistance for office accommodation and prompt composition of the Board membership/replacements as are necessary. In attendance were the Permanent Secretary for Works and  Housing, Mohammed Bukar, the Permanent Secretary for Power, Loius Edozie. ...