Buhari Commissions 76 Housing Units In Gombe  .....Fulfils promise made to Super Eagles 28 years ago President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned 76 housing units in Gombe town, Gombe State yesterday. The Housing Estate which is located at  Western Bye - Pass, Gombe, Gombe State, was built under the National Housing Programme (NHP)  and it  comprises  of 48 units of 2 bedroom, 24units of 3  bedroom and 4 units of 1bedroon bungalows. President Buhari who was represented by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim said the completion and commissioning of the Housing Estate was in line with his promises during his presidential campaigns. The infrastructure in the Housing Estate include: well laid out internal roads and drainages, a central borehole with overhead tanks to guarantee constant supply of water for the residents and provision of electricity. President Buhari also revealed that his administration has been able to  redeem the unfulfilled promises made  by past administrations 28 years ago  to provide  houses for each member of the Super Eagles who  performed gallantly at the African Cup of Nations in 1994, adding that the fulfilment was better late than never.  The President added that Super Eagles were given the privilege to indicate where each would want the house to be built, while some wanted it in  their villages, the others wanted it where they lived and he has approved that the allocation should be made based on their choices of location, noting that even the deceased among them were not left out in the allocation. He commended Gombe State Government for allocating the land to the Federal Government without collecting fee to enable his administration provide affordable housing units for Nigerians. Speaking earlier, the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Manasseh Jato, commended the Federal Government for providing houses to the residents of Gombe State to cushion the effect of its overstretched houses. He said that Gombe State being a peaceful state has attracted  influx of foreigners to settle in it and this has overstretched the housing facilities available. Jato assured the Federal Government that Gombe State would be willing to support the Federal Government in actualising the laudable policy in the state and the country.  In his remark at the event, Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola,SAN, who was represented by the Zonal  Director, National Housing Programme, North East Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Arc. Usman Bashir, said  that said a similar project was replicated in 34 states of the federation in line with the administration’s pledge to ensure adequate housing for Nigerians. Explaining how the citizens can access the houses, the Minister said " We have offered all these housing units to members of the general public in a non-discriminatory way by opening the National Housing Portal at Https://nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng to ensure that those interested are not inhibited by any artificial obstacles and allocations will be made on the basis of those who apply and pay on first come, first served basis." Speaking Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr.  Bashir Nura Alkali, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Planning Research and Statistics, Dr. Dunoma Ahmed, said that it was a programme rolled out by the government of President Buhari to provide acceptable and affordable housing  for Nigerians as well as address the housing deficit bedeviling the nation. Alkali said, "The National Housing Programme is promoting local content in line with the Executive Orders 3 and 5. The use of available local building materials in the National Housing Programme (NHP) has stimulated the economy through the production and use of the materials." His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar, represented by Alhaji Hakeem Jaro Mohammed, commended the Federal Government for proving houses for the people of  Gombe State through the National Housing Programme. Attesting to how the project has impacted positively on the lives of  the masses in the state, a painter at the site, Mr. Musa Umar, said that the project has helped him and other artisans who worked on the project financially. He added that with the money realized they were able to support their families. He commended the government of President Buhari and requested that more projects should be brought to Gombe State so that their  citizens can benefit as well as feel federal government's impact. In addition, a carpenter, Mr.Lazarus Musa, also commended the Federal Government for embarking on such an enormous project in the state, adding that he had fifteen workers under him with whom he rendered carpentary job on the site and  paid from the money he got from the contract. ...

FG And State Officials, Local Residents Converge At The Commissioning Of NHP In Taraba State In Honour Of PMB   …….as Sambo names NHP Taraba ‘Muhammadu Buhari Housing Estate’ during handover and commissioning ceremony. ………. this NHP is to promote decent housing access for the people of Taraba State. – Taraba State Governor.   Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Mr.Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, Executive Governor, Taraba State Arc. Darius Dickson, Ishaku,top government officials and local residents in Jauro –Yinu Taraba State converged at the commissioning and handover ceremony of National Housing Programme in Jalingo Taraba State, as Sambo named the National Housing Programme in Jalingo, Taraba Stste Muhammadu Buhari Housing Estate on Thursday. “Today due to Mr. President’s contribution and support in ensuring that Nigerians are provided affordable and livable houses, the National Housing Programme initiative of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing was launched in 2016 through which over 6000 housing units of diverse units have been built and completed and are being commissioned across 34-states of the Federation in the first phase of the programme. These activities have created several direct and indirect jobs for teeming Nigerians where these projects are sited. It is on this note and for his contribution to National Development through the National Housing Programme that I, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo Hon. Minister of State, Works and Housing name the National Housing Project site in Jalingo , Taraba State as “ Muhammadu  Buhari Housing Estate , Jalingo,'' Sambo said.  President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented at the event by Mu'azu Jaji Sambo remarked “ Finally , I offer my appreciation to the Government and people of Taraba State for their cooperation towards the successful completion and the commissioning of a project that will help improve and promote the welfare of the people of this state.” The representative of the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji, SAN at the event Director Public Buildings and Housing ,Arc. Solomon Labafilo  said “Today in Taraba State at Welcome Gate, Wukari –Jalingo Road , Jalingo we have completed and we are handing over 80-units of houses comprising 4-units of One Bedroom , 48-units of 2 bedroom and 24-units of three bedroom bungalows.” Earlier the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr.Bashir Nura Alkali , who was represented by the Zonal Director Housing North East Federal Ministry of Works and Housing,Arc. Laminu Mamman said, "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 local materials . The overall economic value chain arising from  the housing construction activities is mostly beneficial to the Nigerians youths.” The Governor of Taraba State, His Excellency Darius Dickson Ishaku represented by Secretary to the State Government Hon. Anthony Jellason stated that the housing programme will provide decent access to housing for the people of Taraba State and the state is partnering with Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria in order to reduce housing scarcity in the state. The Emir of Muri , His Royal Highness Alhaji Abbas Njidda Tafida said, “We should always have this kind of leader that builds roads and houses. This kind of representation is what we want. We must not allow a blind man to lead us." The representative of the APC Chairman Taraba State, Hon. Umar Dahiru Doroh said the State is very delighted with the housing project.He enjoined the Federal Government to speed up the Mambilla power project in the state. Jacob Zimkei who is a builder and tiller at the National Housing Programme site ,  remarked that he  made some money for himself because he was engaged at the National Housing Programme site. He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the  National Housing Programme initiative. ...

FG Inuagurates Board And Management Team Of Federal Mortgage Bank Of Nigeria …Do not do anything that the law does not authorize - Fashola …We will work as a team to deliver on the mandate of FMBN- Madu   The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN has called on the newly inaugurated Board members and Management Team of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to comply with the law setting up the Bank, saying that as a creation of the law, members are forbidden from making the Bank do anything that the law does not authorize. The Minister gave this charge at the inauguration of the new 7- Board members and Management Team of the Federal Mortgage Bank on Thursday 21st April, 2022 in Abuja, saying that any member of the Board that deviates   from the primary functions and powers of the Board can become individually and corporately liable for noncompliance with the Law. Fashola said, “I have taken time to address the Law setting up the institution you have been appointed to administer, so as to leave you in no doubt whatsoever, as to what your mandate and purpose is.” He said that the caution on the need for  compliance to the mandate of the Bank became important because the tenure of the previous Boards and Managements did things not permitted by the Law. “This has become the important starting point for my inauguration remarks because in the tenure of previous Boards and Managements before this administration, the Bank did things the Law did not contemplate and this has resulted in hobbling liabilities which I regret to inform you that you must now confront and resolve,” he said. Speaking further, he called on the new Board and Management to bring to a lawful end all other ventures into which the Bank has dabbled into which are not supported by Law saying, “I expect this to happen through due process, supported by Legal consultations, Board debates and decisions and Ministerial or Presidential approvals as may be necessary.” He said that it was a huge privilege for them to be chosen as Board Members and Management Team of the specialized Bank that is set up to provide Mortgage Banking services to Nigerians saying that they should use the opportunity to serve their father’s land.  “It is not an opportunity for self-help but an opportunity to help others, especially to own a home, by rendering selfless service,” he charged the Board. Mr. Fashola listed the functions of the Bank as encapsulated by the Law to include amongst others: to provide long-time credit facilities to mortgage institutions in Nigeria at such rates and such terms as may be determined by the Board in accordance with the policy of Federal Government. Also, the Bank is to encourage and promote the development of mortgage institutions at rural, local, state and Federal Levels. Also speaking on the powers of the Mortgage Bank, he said it can accept deposits and savings from mortgage institutions and other institutional depositors and establish a sinking fund for the redemption of securities by the Mortgage Bank and provide for contributions by it to the sinking fund amongst others. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Bashir Alkali thanked Mr. President for graciously approving the re-constitution of the new Board and Management of the Bank following the expiration of the tenure of the former Board. The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engineer Chukwunwike Uzo said that the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria is a critical Agency of Government under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing with the mandate to provide long term credit facilities to mortgage institutions in Nigeria and to encourage and promote the development of mortgage institutions at the rural, local, State and Federal levels. In his remarks, the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Gbeleyi Ariyo lauded Federal Government for reconstituting the Board and Management of the  Mortgage Bank saying the impact the Bank plays in national and economic development was very crucial. He expressed optimism of meeting up with the huge expectation from Government considering the capacity of members of proven track records of integrity and performance pointing out that members are drawn from Banking sector, diverse ethnicity and gender, he promised not to fail in their responsibilities. On behalf of other members of the Mortgage Bank Board and the Management Team, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive of the Bank, Mr. Hamman Madu thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for appointing them into the exalted position of Nigeria’s apex Mortgage Institution.“I thank Mr. President, the Honourable Minister, the Minister of State and the Permanent Secretary for finding us worthy to be appointed on the Board and the Management Team. We are humble and excited to be chosen and to undertake the responsibility,” he said. According to Madu, housing is one of the basic human needs and to access housing finance is a critical ingredient in achieving the housing needs of all Nigerians. He promised on behalf of the Executive Management Team and Board to work harmoniously to reposition the Bank to deliver on its core mandate. ...