Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Commences Collaboration with National Population Commission (NPC) to Establish Credible Housing Data The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has initiated a landmark collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC) to address one of Nigeria's most critical data challenges: accurately assessing the extent of the housing deficit in the country.   In a meeting held on Monday, September 11, 2023, the Honorable Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, welcomed a delegation from the National Population Commission, led by Chairman Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, to formalize this groundbreaking partnership.   For years, Nigeria has struggled with conflicting and unverified figures regarding its housing deficit, with estimates ranging from 17 million to 28 million. These discrepancies have not only been a source of embarrassment but also an obstacle to effective policymaking and strategic planning.   Arc. Dangiwa emphasized the need for accurate, credible, verifiable, and scientifically sound data on the housing deficit and the living conditions of homes across Nigeria. Such data, he said, is essential to develop effective strategies to tackle the housing shortage and ensure that every Nigerian has access to safe and affordable housing.   The collaboration with the National Population Commission, particularly in the context of the upcoming national census, represents a pivotal step in this effort. The census provides a unique opportunity to gather precise and comprehensive data on the housing needs of Nigeria's population.   The term "housing deficit" refers to the inadequacy in the supply of affordable and suitable housing units to meet the needs of the population, reflecting the gap between housing demand and available, safe, and affordable housing stock.   Minister Dangiwa emphasized that the initiative goes beyond mere numbers; it is about improving the quality of life for Nigerians. Adequate housing and proper living conditions are fundamental human rights that contribute to social stability and economic development.   The collaboration with the National Population Commission will involve the design and implementation of survey instruments tailored to address housing-related questions. By working together, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the NPC aim to establish accurate and credible data on the housing deficit, providing a solid foundation for housing policy design and planning.   The Minister extended his appreciation to Chairman Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra for his dedication to this cause and expressed anticipation for productive discussions and collaboration in the coming months. ...

Dangiwa Emerges Chairperson of Shelter Afrique AGM Bureau, Calls for Increased Capacity and Benefits to Member Nations Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has emerged as Chairperson of the 42nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) Bureau of Shelter Afrique, Africa’s largest housing finance institution. This was conveyed to the Minister by the institution’s Board Chairperson Dr Chii Akporji during an online meeting with officials of the institution on Tuesday 5th September 2023.   Dr Akporji noted that Dangiwa, as new AGM Bureau Chairperson, is expected to chair the 2023 AGM Bureau meeting scheduled for October 5 in Algiers. Dangiwa is also expected to kickstart the 2024 edition coming up in Kigali, where he would then hand over to the First Vice Chairman.   Dr Akporji also briefed the Minister on Shelter Afrique’s operations in Nigeria, such as the recent issuance of the local currency bond where the organization raised $100 million in a bid to enhance the housing ecosystem in the country, and as part of a medium-term loan programme to the tune of $250 million. “We also want to solicit the Honourable Minister’s kind intervention on the government of Nigeria to meet up with its outstanding capital subscription of $21 million… Even though it was approved during the previous administration, the funds were not released before the tenure ended”, she said.   The Shelter Afrique team also intimated the Minister on the Statutes Revision Process, which seeks to rework the documentation establishing Shelter Afrique since its inception in 1982. The new Statutes are known as the agreement for the Shelter Afrique Development Plan and is one of the reasons for the extraordinary Annual General Meeting coming up in October. “On this, we would like to seek the Honourable Minister’s firm support for the approval of the agreement document, which is necessary for consolidating the gains made so far in placing Shelter Afrique on a firm growth trajectory”, she added.   Responding, Dangiwa thanked Shelter Afrique for the honour bestowed on him and pledged to ensure a continued firm collaboration between Nigeria and the institution. He further commended the institution for the restructuring being undertaken to transform it from its current state into the Shelter Afrique Development Bank.   “It is my belief that this restructuring will put the institution on the proper pedestal to deliver on its mandate of improving the housing ecosystem across Africa. Despite being the second-largest contributor, Nigeria has not really benefitted from Shelter Afrique, and I think this is the case with many other contributing nations as well. I believe this is the reason for this restructuring, and I’m sure it will help to enhance the bank’s capacity and improve its benefits to member nations,” Dangiwa said.   The Minister added that the institution’s restructuring will also lead to increased financial capacity and expanded mandate, improved risk management, enhanced sustainability, and increased access and opportunities in the capital market. He stated that the vision of the institution is in line with the vision of the Tinubu-led administration, which is to grow the economy and improve the welfare of Nigerians.   “We are a new Administration committed to the transformation and advancement of our country, Nigeria, and by extension the African continent.  I therefore assure you of our commitment to deliver on the expectations from Nigeria as we move forward together in the course of championing development in the African continent,” he added.   Shelter Afrique is the only pan-African finance institution that exclusively supports the development of housing and urban development in Africa. The Institution has 44 member countries and two African Finance Multinational Institutions as stakeholders. Rwanda will be taking over from Nigeria as chair of the AGM scheduled for Kigali in 2024 and Algeria in 2025. ...

Works Minister Tasks Contract Management Team for More Effort at Implementation Stage. The Hon. Minister of Works Engr. David Nweze Umahi CON, has tasked the Contract Management Team (CMT) for the Value-Added Concession (VAC) Category of the Highways Development & Management Initiative (HDMI) to work hard and double their effort at this critical stage of Contract Implementation.   He made this remark while inaugurating the CMT at the Federal Ministry of Works Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.   The Minister said “I understand that it has been three (3) years of hard work by the Project Delivery Team (PDT) members of the Highways Development & Management Initiative (HDMI), most of whom are now being transmuted as members of the Contract Management Team (CMT). We expect that the same hard work you brought to bear on the Contract Preparatory Stages would be doubled at this critical stage of Contract Implementation.”   Umahi, similarly said “the idea of including Senior Executive Management representation from each Concessionaire on the CMT is to ensure seamless workings and interactions. I, therefore, I wish to advise the Concessionaires to accord the CMT, which they are already a part of the maximum cooperation that is needed. As we are aware, the Value for Money (VFM) generated through PPPs depends on the quality of the private partner and the government’s contract management systems and teams”.   The Hon. Minister concluded “To the Government side, please, accord this assignment the utmost attention it deserves and not be in the erroneous belief that these concessions (contract) will be self-regulating and self-reporting. Your terms of reference (TOR) will nonetheless be explained to you in due course, and it will be tied to the task of liaising with the Concessionaire on matters relating to the management of the Contract. You are therefore required to be proactive and guide these contracts to Financial Close and Project Implementation, accordingly. “   The Permanent Secretary of Works Ministry Mr. Mahmuda Mamman in his opening remarks said, “The HDMI was created by the Ministry to manage and develop the federal road networks, with the aim of attracting sustainable investment and funding in the development of road infrastructure and maximization of the use of assets along the right of way (ROW).”   He said “the Initiative is expected to amongst others, bring order, accountability, and profitable entrepreneurship to the operations, management, and maintenance of Federal Highways. The following Twelve (12) roads were initially planned for concession under the first phase of the Initiative, namely: Benin – Asaba; Abuja– Lokoja; Kano – Katsina; Onitsha – Owerri – Aba; Shagamu –Benin; Abuja -Keffi –Akwanga; Kano – Maiduguri; Lokoja – Benin; Enugu-Port Harcourt; Ilorin-Jebba; Lagos-Abeokuta; and Lagos-Badagry. However, only Nine (9) of the roads attained Commercial Close.”   The Head of Public Private Partnership (PPP), Mrs Abimbola Asein Federal Ministry of Works rolled out the names of the membership of the HDMI Contract Management Team which include some departments in Works Ministry and Federal Ministry of Justice, Federal Ministry of Environment, Federal Road Maintenance Agency, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Bureau of Public Enterprise, Debt Management Office and Ministry of Finance.   Director Transport Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) Mohammed Aliyu Bamali who spoke on behalf of Director General, ICRC said “FG and the Commission considered it expedient for Ministry of Works to set up CMT to serve as the main oversight on the implementation of HDMI projects”.   He said “CMT is to carry out the following jobs : efficient management of contract ; that parties strictly keep to the terms and conditions of contract in fulfillment of the financial obligation, project specification and provisions of relevant documents e.g performance bond, insurance and tax etc ;To collate and analyse report of concessionaire as well as conduct periodic visits to the project sites ;  address the various needs and expectations of all stakeholders in executing the projects; establish effective communication channels that are active and collaborative; Communicate project deliverables to stakeholders and to  ensure timely resolution of projects challenges to avoid dispute that will affect project implementation of the contract.   The Concessionaires appreciated members of the HDMI Committee for a job well done and appreciated the resolution, they said “if they had not done their work things wouldn’t have been the way they are for the benefit of Nigerians”. ...