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. ...

President Buhari Commissions Federal Secretariat Lafia ...Names it after Justice Sidi Bage ...On this project, we are proud to say we have delivered-- Fashola The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR has commissioned the Federal Secretariat Lafia, Nasarawa over the weekend. The newly commissioned Secretariat complex which was built by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has also been named after a renowned Jurist and Legal personality, a respected Royal Father, a retired Honourable Justice of the Supreme Court and the current Emir of Lafai and Chairman of Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs. HRH. SIDI BAGE Welcoming Mr. President, the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN said that upon the Ministry's recommendation, Mr. President approved the naming of the edifice after the retired Justice of the Supreme court, His Royal Highness, Sidi Bage. He added that it was in commemoration and laudable contribution of his public service activities especially in the Judiciary. According to Fashola the conference room of the complex also got the approval of Mr. President to be named after a very prominent Nasarawa State indigene in the person of late Mrs. Maimuna Katai for her hard work, courage, simplicity and honesty. Speaking of the complex, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola said that it is sitting on a 6,702 square meters of land and that it could accommodate 2000 to 2,300 staff in the 402 offices. He added that it has car park with the capacity to accommodate 300 cars and also other facilities. According to the Minister, the socio- economic impact of the project includes the creation of small businesses around the facility such as - Food Vendors, POS Kiosks and increased value of landed properties in Bulka Sidi Environs among others. Moreso, the Minister stressed that these Federal Secretariats are Federal Government symbols and images in the states. They are indeed National Monuments that bring all Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) under one conducive working environment for improved productive and enhanced service delivery to the people of the state where they are sited. While thanking Mr. President for entrusting the Ministry with the project, he said: " We are proud to say that on this project, we have delivered." He acknowledged the contribution of the National Assembly for appropriating funding for the project. Also, he commended the State Governor, Engr Abdullahi Sule as well as the past Governor of the State Tanko Al-Makura for providing the peaceful and safe environment for the contractor to deliver the project. The President was accompanied to the commissioning ceremony by the Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawal, Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Yaya Bello, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr David Umahi, the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Honourable Minister of Environment representing Nasarawa State St the Federal Executive Council, Barrister Abdullahi Mohammed amongst others. ...

Building Infrastructure Improves the Economy - Fashola Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola has said that the Federal Government has committed so much money into infrastructure to ensure that people reap the benefit of it, saying that without infrastructure businesses cannot grow. Fashola made the remarks at the 23rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) that was held in Abuja. The Minister said road building in the country has improved dredging, granite, laterite and quarry businesses and NARTO is one of the major beneficiaries for moving goods and services during construction works. Fashola advised NARTO to enforce weight regulation from loading point for the safety of our roads and also ensure that their members are professionally trained drivers. In the same vein, the Minister told NARTO to create certification for its members and drivers must be made to maintain speed limit, as well as bringing a stop to the culture of repairing trucks by the roadside, suggesting that workshops or trucks should be created in all states and NARTO divisions across the country. In his remarks, NARTO President, Yusuf Lawal thanked President Buhari for making NARTO part of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Road Task Team that will supervises critical roads being handled by NNPC. Yusuf further disclosed that NARTO has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that its members would observe high level of sincerity and responsibility during and after the conduct of 2023 election while moving election materials around. Mr. Yemi Adetunji who represented NNPC at the event said NARTO was involved in almost all activities of its organization and they are a key player in realizing its objective of contributing to the National economy. He said NNPC is to support government to rehabilitate the road in Nigeria and they would ensure the petrol products is available for people through NARTO. The Corps Marshal of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Corps Marshal Dauda Ali said “NARTO has been working with us for a long time and we will always advise them when it is necessary, we worked together to ensure a successful ember months period “ The Representative of Major Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Godwin Jarikre said “since 2020 we have been collaborating with NARTO for the benefit of Nigerians to ensure safe driving on the road and to ensure bad emission from their trucks are not affecting members of the public. We will advise that drivers look for tools to manage their trucks and NARTO should keep emphasizing on the training, education, medical fitness of drivers to ensure we have good transportation system in the country”. ...