Dangiwa Breaks Ground for 10,000 Housing Units in Enugu State   …Says state governments, private developers can play huge role in bridging housing gap   Enugu, 9th October 2024 - The Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has today, 9th October 2024, performed the groundbreaking for 10,000 housing units in Enugu State. The flag-off, which had the attendance of the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, is for Graceland Estate being developed by COPEN Group.   Speaking during the groundbreaking, the Minister said such projects were in line with the focus of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration towards the delivery of affordable housing to Nigerians, especially by creating the enabling environment for private sector players to thrive.   "This Estate, part of the 10,000-housing unit Coal City Eastern Extension Layout, aligns with His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's goal to deliver quality and affordable housing to all Nigerians.   "As you may be aware, the housing challenge in our country is immense. Statistics show that to address this problem, we need to build approximately 550,000 housing units annually over the next ten years, which would require about N5.5 trillion per annum," he said.   Decrying the enormous challenge that the deficit poses, he said the situation must be perceived as an opportunity to innovate and bring about solutions that will trigger sustainable housing delivery in Nigeria not just in the short-term, but for future generations as well.   "This huge housing deficit is the result of ineffective implementation of housing policies, suboptimal performance of housing delivery institutions, an undeveloped housing market, an untapped secondary mortgage market, and, of course, a tough macroeconomic environment.   To address these issues, he said a mix of solutions are being pursued to bridge the deficit including exploring funding options, such as private sector developers, housing finance institutions— both local and international— philanthropic bodies, well-meaning Nigerians, and corporate Nigeria on board to make the necessary impact, as well as partnerships with reputable private developers.   "Like all other systemic problems hindering our nation’s development, the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is boldly and frontally addressing the housing deficit to change the narrative for good.   "Already the results are visible. In just over one year, under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, we have commenced construction work for a total of 6,612 housing units across 13 states and the FCT, with many of these units now at advanced stages of completion. We intend to complete most of them by December, so Nigerians can begin to own these homes.   "Additionally, work has started on 3,500 housing units across three new Renewed Hope Cities, including 2,000 units in Lagos (South West) and 1,500 units in Kano (North West). In the South East, we selected Enugu for the development of a 2,000-unit Renewed Hope City, which will be delivered as part of the MoU we signed with a consortium of developers for 100,000 housing units nationwide," he added.   Commending the Governor for creating the enabling environment and making available 260 hectares in a viable location, he urged him to continue the good work he has started. "I would like to express my profound appreciation to the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah for creating an enabling environment for private sector participation in housing development in the State.    "I have been here on a couple of occassions and had series of interactions with His Excellency and I can say that he is a visionary leader who is quietly doing and accomplishing great things. Your Excellency, Enugu State is lucky to have you as a Governor. Without your Excellency’s support and encouragement, this project that we are here to perform groundbreaking for would not have been possible," he noted.   Arc. Dangiwa also commended the Managing Director/Chief Executive of Copen Group, Rev. Dr. Sullivan Chime, whom he described as a good friend, housing stakeholder, and advocate for affordable housing, for the exemple he is setting in the state and beyond.   "I have known Dr. Chime for several decades now, and throughout this time, I have never had cause to doubt his integrity, professionalism, friendship, and commitment to public service. The Graceland Estate, for which I am here to perform groundbreaking today, adds another feather to Dr. Chime’s impactful life as a reputable developer. As the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, we are proud to be a part of this project under the broad framework of our Renewed Hope Housing Programme," he concluded.   Also speaking, Governor Mbah, represented by the Deputy Governor, Bar. Ifeanyi Ossai, hailed the initiative by COPEN Group, describing its Managing Director, Dr. Chime as an illustrious son of Enugu State. He further hailed the support of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for the project and for capturing Enugu State in the Renewed Hope Cities & Estates programme through the planned 2,000-unit Renewed Hope City.   Speaking further, the Governor charged stakeholders to do more to bring down the cost of housing construction. "We must invest in research. We have to find a way to creatively reduce the cost of construction by reducing our reliance on cement… I am happy that you have been able to design an approach and bring together all the parties needed to make this project affordable and accessible to our people," he said. ...

CUSTOMER SERVICE WEEK: Minister Dangiwa Charges Staff on Speed, Efficiency In Service Delivery ... Says effective service delivery,  cornerstone of good governance Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has charged staff of the ministry to embrace speed, efficiency and result while handling tasks in their various offices. The Minister gave the charge on the occassion of Customer Service Week Celeberation in the Ministry organised by the Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department under the SERVICOM Ministerial charter. Dangiwa further encouraged the staff to be result oriented and always strive not to be the weakling in the chain of effective Service Delivery to Nigerians. The theme for the 2024  Customer Service Week is “ Above and Beyond ” and SERVICOM which is an acronym for “Service Compact”, is an initiative aimed at putting the average Nigerian at the centre of its activities to ensure satisfactory Customer Service. The Minister lauded the theme of this year’s Customer Service Week, saying it has provided a moment of reflection as the Ministry works towards the delivery of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. While emphasizing on the important role of the Civil Service in the effective service delivery to Nigerians, the Minister commended the Civil Service structure at the Ministry under the leadership of the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi for the efforts towards achieving greater  milestones in the Ministry. He outlined some of the remarkable jobs being done by the Ministry over the past one year, aimed at actualizing the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda of the President to include; the ongoing construction of 6,612 housing units across 13 states of the Federation and FCT, with ownership options of 30-year mortgage plan, rent-to-own, installmental payments as well as outright purchase. The Minister also informed of the commencement of additional construction of 5,500 Units of Renewed Hope Cities; 2000 units in Lagos, 1500 units in Kano and 2000 units in Enugu State, adding that the launch of an online Renewed Hope Housing delivery portal was to ensure easy and transparent access of the houses purchase to Nigerians. Accordingly, Dangiwa mentioned a significant progress achieved by the Ministry in the implementation of the National Urban Renewal and Slum Upgrade which focuses on infrastructural developments; he said “53 projects are being completed, while 54 are ongoing at various level of completion”. Another notable milestone pointed out by the Minister is the collaboration of the Ministry with the World Bank to launch the National Land Registration and Titling program, aimed at addressing issues of unregistered lands in the Country. He as well informed that the framework for the National Social Housing Fund which seeks to provide decent and quality housing to the low income earners, is at advance stage of completion. Accordigly, Dangiwa expressed delight in the service award presented to him, the Permanent Secretary, and selected management and staff, further commending the professionalism and commitment of the Director overseeing the Department of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement in providing citizen centered services. He recognized that effective service delivery is the cornerstone of good governance, and further assured that the Ministry will continue to prioritize citizens’ needs and feedback in providing affordable housing for all Nigerians. Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi advised the staff to take their level of commitment and activity far above and beyond to provide the needed satisfaction for the customers. He also extolled the head of the department of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Mrs. Philips for modeling what is expected of every department of the Ministry. The Permanent Secretary mentioned that the ministry has taken some measures to ensure good service delivery, such as: a face lift in the appearance of the Ministry, provision of constant light, prioritizing staff welfare, payment of death benefits, among others. “We are doing all we can to ensure that staff put in their best to bring out a good customer -staff relationship”, he said. In her remarks, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of SERVICOM, Mrs. Nnenna Akajemeli informed that the Customer Service week which is celebrated annually is a platform to encourage and appreciate the service providers, raise awareness on the value of customer service and also reward employees. On the theme for the year “Above and Beyond”, Akajemeli stated that to be above and beyond, one has to give excellent services that inspire loyalty and satisfaction each time people come for service. She appreciated every member of staff for a job well done in providing services, and particularly applauded the innovation and digitization of the Certificate of Occupancy (C.of.O), introduced in the Housing Ministry. In her speech, the Deputy Director overseeing the department of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Mrs. Philips-Ogoniba Ibifuro, brought to light some notable achievements of the Department since its emergence in the Housing Ministry, in March, 2024. She disclosed the provision of a work station as temporary relief to the office space challenge being faced in the Ministry, the equipment of the Ministry’s Call Centre which is yet to take-off, as well as the FMHUD Service Charter in progress, to be launched before the end of the year. Other achievements are the placement of a 55 inches Television screen at the reception of the Ministry, to disseminate information about the Ministry's Vision and Mission, as well as the Renewed Hope Homes Projects. Mrs. Philips was also delighted to inform about one of the Innovative Ideas of the Ministry from a staff, Mr. Gerald Emesonwu, the Head of Lands Information System Unit, who developed an Electronic Certificate of Occupancy (e-C.of.O), this according to her, is in compliance with the Head of Service directive for Ministries to come up with Innovative Ideas. Highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to the Honorable Minister, and the Permanent Secretary, selected Directors and staff of the Ministry as SERVICOM Ambassadors. The event also featured talks on Service Delivery, Health, as well as security tips. ...

Happy 64th Independence Day Nigerians,   Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are witnessing unprecedented reforms, particularly in housing and urban development. Our sector has seen historic and transformational strides over the past one year in line with the bold vision of Mr. President.   This year’s celebration will be remembered as a turning point, where the country begins to fully harness its resources for the collective benefit of all Nigerians and His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's leadership is dismantling long-standing barriers which had stifled the nation’s progress. ...