Oct

21

2021

SPEECH DELIVERED BY H.E BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN AT THE 10TH MEETING OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF LANDS, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AT THE MARRIOTT HOTEL IKEJA LAGOS ON 21ST OCTOBER 2021

Ladies and gentlemen, let me start by thanking the Government, the Governor and people of Lagos, my home state, for accepting to host this 10th meeting of our National Council and for the top-class facilities they have placed at the disposal of the Council for this purpose.

My appreciation also goes to all the technical staff and resource persons who have worked since Monday the 18th to bring us to this climactic last day.

The unsung and unseen contributors who have worked behind the scenes, whose work is visible but whose faces are rarely seen I thank you for lending your hands to nation building.

To the Government and people of Lagos, I bring the goodwill and best wishes of the Federal Government and President Muhammadu Buhari for outstanding progress and success in your developmental goals and objectives and assure you of the Federal Government’s support.

At this year’s meeting we have decided to focus on how to create more jobs, foster social inclusion and accelerate economic development and this much is obvious in the theme of this meeting which is “Housing development as a catalyst for job creation, social inclusion and economic development.”

This decision is informed by many reasons including the unquestionable need to expand opportunities for Nigerian citizens by collective action of Government and private sector actions.

The decision is also informed by the commitment made by President Muhammadu Buhari on June 12, 2019 on behalf of Nigeria, to attempt to lift 100 million people out of poverty in a decade.

The decision is further informed by the reality that this commitment is a national and not a Federal Government commitment, because the Federal Government alone cannot achieve this objective without the state and local governments.

ALL OF GOVERNMENT ACTION

One reason why this will require an All of Government Action is the fact that land is a critical component of capital formation and it is controlled by the states (not the Federal Government) and I am persuaded that appropriate, targeted and purposeful use of land, such as for the development of housing by the states and private sector, will unleash prosperity in all states that aggregates to national prosperity.

As you know, the Federal Government is undertaking a National Housing Program in all states (except Lagos and Rivers which has not started) aggregating to about 5,000 housing units, and trying to complete an inherited ministerial pilot housing scheme across the states which has a little over 6,000 units.

The Federal Housing Authority and Federal Mortgage Bank are also intervening as federal agencies in respective housing development directly, through cooperative societies and the provision of development loans and mortgage loans.

But all these account for only a small amount of the need across the nation for many reasons not excluding the limited amount of land available to these federal agencies.

These are some of the reasons why I seek to persuade all of you to go back to your states to persuade your Governors to re-commit to housing development.

I said recommit, because I am aware that many states are doing something, but you will agree that there is a scope to improve and scale up.

Lagos, since the days of the LEDB, LSDPC, Lateef Jakande has been and today in the time of Babajide Sanwo-Olu, remains an example of what state governments can do to deepen housing supply and reap the benefits that come with it.

Permit me to reflect on the benefits of some of them.

HOUSING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS AND JOBS

The first is that most of the land held by the states that is not developed either for farming, manufacturing housing or other use, is idle, less valuable, and therefore dead capital that earns little if any income and generates little if any economic activity.

But from the day a decision is made to build, activity is created, people are galvanized, manpower is required, jobs are created and an economic exchange that leads to productivity starts.

Bulldozers employed in clearing are hitherto idle plant and equipment that get put to use, they require diesel to operate, which has to be bought and supplied, transporters are involved to deliver them just as operators are employed to operate the bulldozers.

But before all this happens, some people have been employed in design, layout planning, soil test and other pre-construction activities.

When construction actively starts, the economic explosion happens, supplies of sand, cement, reinforcements, roofing, plumbing, painting, and other components get to work.

This drives a critical business in all our states, the micro small and medium enterprises who make or supply these building components.

The delivery of building materials engages transporters, drivers and lubricant suppliers, but this is only part of the story.

The final leg is the inclusion of the urban poor, the people who depend on daily or weekly wages, the skilled and unskilled workers, bricklayers, carpenters, welders, painters, plumbers, electricians and others who work the materials into the construction of a house.

Of course, there is indirect employment in vendors who supply food, water and sustenance to the workers daily for months.

This is personal income, that is taxable by the states and Lagos State has shown the example of what is possible not only with personal income tax as a source of prolific internally generated revenue, but also the impact of property tax with the Lagos land-use charge as an example.

If we can imagine the picture I am painting we can only see a picture of gainful employment, inclusiveness and income that heralds prosperity as the opposite of poverty.

But the story is not finished. It also leads to furnishing; carpets, beds mattresses, curtains, and other household equipment usually purchased when people move to new homes.

However, let me be clear, not every government can afford to build houses on scale and not all residents want government built homes. So some of the things that the government can also do is to provide infrastructure, roads, connection to electricity and water in site and service schemes, allocated to citizens to build according to their budget but in conformity with the planning order.

CAPITAL APPRECIATION AND PROPERTY TAXES

Apart from some of the benefits that come with building which I have highlighted above, the investment in infrastructure alone adds 30 to 40% to the value of the land which was hitherto of little or no value. Estate surveyors will confirm this to you.

Land that appreciates in value, yields more revenue when property taxes are computed without necessarily raising the rate of taxation.

Every time I visit a housing site that is under construction, I pay particular attention to the people working on site.

They are often happy; they have dignity; they are proud to work instead of beg.

They can go home to their families and put food on the table for their children.

More importantly, they feel included.

But the matter does not end there.

PLANNING/CONSTRUCTION PERMITS AND URBAN PLANNING

I have had the privilege of sitting as a member of the committee set up by President Buhari to facilitate the ease of doing business across Nigeria; a national rather than a federal government business.

One of the parameters where we need to improve upon, and which has hampered our rating as a country, is the number of days and the length of time it takes to get a construction permit or planning approval; and the cost of it.

We in government must consciously improve on the bureaucracy around granting of construction permits or planning approval by taking steps to reduce the number of people involved, introducing some level of automation, such as online submission of applications and reducing the cost of approval.

We must see revenue in a more broader sense, such as reduced income for planning approval, and increased income from consequential construction like income tax of employees on site, and a broader land use charge from more houses built.

Please permit me to make one final point about planning before I leave it.

All over the developed world it is easy to observe sports and tourist facilities connected by interstate highways and interstate rail.

It is not accidental that thousands of people go by train or buses to a sports or entertainment event and return by it. It is the result of planning.

I urge you to take the opportunity as the Federal Government continues to connect the interstate roads and build the national rail network to challenge your land managers and Town Planners to take large tracts of land, plan them for residential and business purposes and set aside land for sports, recreation and entertainment.

You will be investing in the future of prosperity of your states and your indigenes if you do so now.

LAND TITLE AND DOCUMENTATION

It is impossible to address such a gathering of policymakers without touching on title documentations of land.

An untitled land, in the words of Hernando De Soto is “dead capital.”

It is a cause of exclusion, because the land is not formatted into a recognizable way that enables a financial institution identify the owner.

Therefore, untitled land cannot attract credit like a mortgage or development finance because it is not in transferable form to constitute security or collateral.

All states who seek prosperity and inclusion for the people must commit to expeditious processing, GIS mapping and titling of their land.

Lagos state will tell you how much IGR comes from land transactions, but you must find out how much has been invested in GIS mapping, scanning of millions of pages of Land title documents and automation of the issuance of certificates of occupancy.

RENT

My dear colleagues, there is no debate that the world is a place of inequality; among nations and amongst people.

While we cannot make the world equal, we can commit to reducing inequality.

We may not be able to make all people homeowners, but we can reduce the number of those who lack shelter or live on the edge every so often when rent is falling due.

I am sure that our country will be a much better place when three years rent in advance, two years rent in advance or one year rent in advance for middle class and working family residential homes becomes monthly rent, payable at the end of the month.

Why we may not get there immediately, this is an area of immense exclusion that we can remedy by legislative action at state level.

This is a matter in which the Federal Government has no legislative competence. It is a matter for the states, and I urge you not to turn your backs.

Three years rent in advance of monthly salary paid in arrears lies at the heart of affordability of access to shelter.

All state legislators must see this as an important area of representation of their people to make life easier.

So must Governors and Commissioners through Executive bills.

I will close by asking these questions.

If not us, then who?

If not now, then when?

Thank you for listening.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Works and Housing

Thursday 21st October 2021

Oct

20

2021

ADDRESS BY THE PERMANENT SECRETARY, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WORKS AND HOUSING, ALHAJI BABANGIDA HUSSAINI, AT THE 10TH NATIONAL COUNCIL ON LANDS, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, HELD AT MARRIOTT HOTEL, IKEJA, LAGOS ON WEDNESDAY, 20TH OCTOBER, 2021

Protocols

    It is my pleasure to warmly welcome you to this crucial Technical Session (Permanent Secretary’s Segment) of the 10th Meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development with the theme “Housing Development as a Catalyst for Job Creation, Social Inclusion and Economic Development”, holding right here in the beautiful and commercial City of Lagos State.

2.    Our appreciation goes to Almighty Allah who graciously accorded us the opportunity to be alive today and granted us safe journeys to this meeting, having travelled from far and near.

3.    May I seize this great privilege to commend the impressive support of the Government and good people of Lagos State for hosting this Meeting, especially His Excellency, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Executive Governor of the State to host this crucial National Meeting and also providing us with a conducive environment for this Meeting. The Officials of the Lagos State Government have also worked assiduously with the Staff of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, preparatory to these Meetings. These exemplary gestures clearly demonstrate the Lagos State Government’s commitment and support to all Projects, Programmes and various Initiatives of the Federal Government.

4.    This year’s Theme “Housing Development as a Catalyst for Job Creation, Social Inclusion and Economic Development” is apt and timeous considering the commitment of the present Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to address critical economic challenges confronting the Country and lifting 100Million Nigerians out of poverty through the creation of jobs and creating a just and egalitarian society through Social Inclusion.

5.    Since the last 9th Council Meeting that was held in Jos, Plateau State this year, 2021, I am glad to inform you that the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing embarked on the construction of decent and affordable mass housing Nationwide under the “National Housing Programme” (NHP) and strengthened corroboration with the organized private sector under the “Public Private Partnership” (PPP) Programme to provide quality and affordable houses to Nigerians.

6.    Completed Projects under this Programme have impacted massively on the National Economy through creation of direct and indirect jobs. The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has assiduously worked with and supported the Federal Mortgage Bank (FMBN) and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to provide decent and affordable Houses to Nigerians in line with the Ministry’s Mandate and also the resolve of this Administration to expand the Infrastructure and Housing Stock of the Nation.

7.    Ladies and Gentlemen, the task of ensuring that housing development serves as a catalyst for job creation, social inclusion and economic development rests on the shoulders of all the Stakeholders in the Industry. While we provide the leadership for achieving the set objectives, I urge all stakeholders in the Industry to make good use of the opportunity provided by this Council Meeting to deliberate on Memoranda submitted towards formulating and strengthening Policies that would address Housing Development in Nigeria.

8.    While welcoming you once again, I wish you fruitful deliberations.

Oct

15

2021

2021 ANNUAL OLUMIDE MEMORIAL LECTURE ORGANIZED BY THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTION OF SURVEYORS DELIVERED BY BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN ON 14TH OCTOBER 2021 AT THE CHIDA INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, ABUJA

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I do not know the criteria for choosing the speakers at the annual Olumide Memorial lecture which I am told started in 1982.

Therefore, I do not know what qualifies me to be this year’s speaker, but I am delighted to be here for one reason only, the opportunity to celebrate a true Nigerian professional, late Surveyor Cyprian Theodosius Olumide.

This is a matter hopefully that I will return to:- Professionalism in the Nigerian space.

While I am enthused to be here, my presence is one that is with some difficulty.

This difficulty arises largely because there is so much to talk about and to do and organizers have very smartly and to my own consternation, decided that I “…will be free to choose the topic of your (my) lecture.”

This is very difficult, not only because I did not have the privilege to ever meet Surveyor Olumide, and my efforts to find out more about him, using electronic search engines have not produced a lot of information.

This is something I hope the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors will remedy sooner rather than later.

But my difficulty has not been made easier by the fact that while the Institution must be commended for giving me very early notice, since June 2021, I still have not settled on a topic.

I must therefore express deep regret that I do not yet have a topic, but I will speak about various things in the hope that I can weave a theme that pays commendable tribute to Surveyor Olumide’s work and service to Nigeria and humanity.

So let me start with a personal story, and I will title the story:- “Mummy, who is a chief…? I want to be a chief.”

One evening around 1972, a young boy was watching the television with his mother, and NTA was featuring the announcement of a conferment of a chieftaincy by the then Oba of Lagos, Oba Adeyinka Oyekan, on a prominent Nigerian.

There was so much fanfare, and the young boy, not understanding what all the fuss was about, but nevertheless enthralled by the grandeur, asked his mother: “Mummy who is a chief? I want to be a chief.”

His mother then went on to explain to her son that if he wanted to be a chief he had to be a professional, work hard, subscribe to the highest values and serve people.

Of course, the mother did not miss the opportunity to challenge her son by stressing that the road to the journey of chieftaincy that he desired, started with schoolwork and that he must improve on his schoolwork effort and get good grades.

What you might ask is the relevance of this story?

That young boy later became a professional, a legal practitioner, he ended up as a public servant, but has seen the erosion of the institution of chieftaincy as described by his mother; because the values and standards have been compromised by some people, men and woman, who have devalued what the chieftaincy title once represented- a building block of society.

That young boy no longer wants to hold a chieftaincy title. He’s content with who he is not what he is called. That young boy is your guest speaker today.

Please remember this story as I will come back to it.

The second story is titled Apalara.

Alfa Bisiriyu Apalara, history records, was a cleric. The story is about his disappearance, till today, in what led to a famous murder trial. The scene was set around Ebute-Metta in Lagos and the circumstances suggest that his body was dumped in the Lagos Lagoon, somewhere under the 3rd Mainland Bridge which was not then conceived or built.

What the police investigators had to go by were pieces of evidence such as the fact that his “belongings were found in his house there was an attack on him…” “that blood (which was human) was found leading from that place, Tapa Street, to the foreshore…”

This event happened on the night of the 3rd January 1953, and the trial and appeal to the West African Court of Appeal was concluded on 25th February 1954 affirming the conviction of Joseph Ogunbayode Ogundipe and 9 others for murder.

The trial was concluded in a record 13 months in Nigeria.

But the story here is not just about the speed of trial , but the  professionalism of the lawyers and, more importantly, the police officers who investigated the case.

One of them was Adeyemi Sapara, perhaps one of the foremost but uncelebrated Criminal Investigation detectives that our country has ever produced.

The story is relevant because these men showed “exemplary devotion to duty” a character trait of late Cyprian Theodosius Olamide.

The third story is that of Njovens.

Patrick Njovens, Y.L Bello, Alhaji Amusa Abidogun and Chief  Samuel Taiwo “ST” Oredein (a famous political figure) were tried and convicted for abetting the commission of a robbery and of receiving stolen property; the 1st (Njovens) the 2nd (Bello) and the 3rd (Abidogun) were convicted of accepting gratification and of failing to arrest persons known to have committed offenses of armed robbery.

All the four accused were convicted of harbouring known offenders.

The offense took place on 13 April 1971 at a place between Ilorin and Bacita in Kwara State.

The relevance of this story is that on the 3rd of May 1973, the case, including the appeal to the Supreme Court, had been concluded within two years and one month, by the judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on 3rd of May 1973.

This is the story of professionalism, dedication to duty and a resolve not to be compromised.

The men who made history possible are the police prosecution witnesses who were not afraid to investigate and testify against their superiors and a politically connected fourth accused.

The first second and third accused persons were police officers.

But that did not matter to men like Jacob Abiodun Shangobiyi, the superintendent of police who testified for the prosecution and described the first, second and third accused persons as follows

“I know accused one he was my immediate senior officer at the State’s C.I.D., Ibadan. I know accused two he was the officer I/C in Crime Section, State’s C.I.D., Ibadan. I know accused three, he was attached to the Provincial Crime Branch, Central Police Station, Ibadan.”

There were other testimonies by police officers like Jacob Olaniyonu Olarinde, Assistant Commissioner of Police (9th Prosecution Witness) Michael Oshineye Showale, Deputy Superintendent of Police (13th prosecution witness.)

To the best of my knowledge these great men, who for the love of country, committed to duty at great risk, probably never received a national honour or a chieftaincy title.

It is tragic that it was the fourth accused, Chief Taiwo Oredein, who was a chief and I wonder what Shangobiyi, Olarinde and Showale would have felt were they then offered chieftaincies.

It is their devotion to duty that commends them to me, to share with you if you did not know, or to remind you, if you knew, on a day we gather to celebrate excellence, devotion and professionalism in the name of Surveyor Olumide.

But that is not all.

They represent shining examples of what we have done before and what we can do again, if we commit, and what we must do.

This then takes me to the next story, the debate about strong men and strong institutions.

This story, and the circumstances that brought it up, took place in my house this year on Eid-El-Kabir day when we were discussing our nation, and the reference was made to the statement by the former American President about the need for strong institutions rather than for strong men.

I saw it differently and I said so.

My view is that there is nothing esoteric about institutions, because the story of institutions is a story of men and women.

When institutions do well it is men and women who have done well and vice versa.

The Nigerian Police that investigated and prosecuted the Apalara and Njovens cases very professionally still exists as an idea and creature of our Statute.

But it is a different era.

Where are its Saparas, Olarindes, Showales, Shangobiyis, MD Yusufus, Kam Salems, Musiliu Smiths, Kafaru Tinubus, Etim Inyangs and Louis Edets?

How many now want to be like them and better?

Let me be clear, this is not an X-Ray on the police. It is simply an institution about which I can find some judgements/documents to tell this story.

There are many other professionals such as judges, forensic pathologists, court clerks, lawyers who made these achievements possible. 

Not only is that Nigeria of efficiency and professionalism of the Olumide era possible, a better one is achievable. 

And this takes me back to the debate about men/women and institutions.

I hold the clear view that every institution, nation, ministry, department, agency, company, church, mosque, etc represent  nothing but ideas.

From this alone, the central role of men and women is already manifest. Who has ideas but us?

Those ideas then develop into paper, made by us in the form of laws, certificates or licenses, created and issued by men and women to create a Country (constitution); Company (certificate of incorporation) banks or telecoms (licenses).

What is then done with these creatures is a function of how men and women behave and nothing more.

The point was then made about how the Senate of the USA acted institutionally to save America’s democracy during the “Contestation of the 2020 elections” on January 6, 2021, in the aftermath of the onslaught on their parliament building.

But the argument of any inherent institutional strength in that senate or any organization collapsed, when I pointed out that:

a) The Vice President of the country Mike Pence, chose duty over self or office, because he accepted that his joint ticket had been defeated and it was his duty like many who held  that office before, to let the right thing be done;

b) if he had followed the wishes of the President, his action as an individual would have brought an experiment of over  200 years to its knees;

c) in 2015, when Goodluck Jonathan decided to concede the elections to Muhammadu Buhari, some Orubebe-minded members of his party were acting in concert to frustrate the process, while the likes of Bishop Onaiyekan and General Abdulsalam Abubakar were in the Villa urging a solution;

d) that when President Yar’Adua sadly passed in 2010 and we were heading for the precipice, it was the act of men and women, rather than any institution, that steered the nation in the right direction to herald the emergence of a Jonathan presidency, notwithstanding that they were clear provisions as to what should happen when a sitting president dies in our constitution.

Ladies and gentlemen, my conclusion on this point is that it is the consistency of good deeds, good conduct that makes them institutionalized in a way that we can then speak of an institution.

One error, just one, in the recruitment process of the leadership or personnel becomes the fly in the ointment that makes nonsense of the work of generations and brings what has been institutionalized into disrepute and infamy.

Surveyor Cyprian Theodosius Olumide is an example of the type of good men and women we all need to build institutions in our public and private life.

I promised earlier to return to the issue of professionalism.

I do so now by returning to the first story about being a chief, the second one about Apalara, and a third about Njovens.

What runs through them all is professionalism.

The lawyer who was honoured with a chieftaincy, the policeman, lawyers judges and others who dispensed justice and of course Surveyor Cyprian Theodosius Olumide, all of whom did their work very well.

The question to now ask is whether such speedy and efficient disposal of cases still endures.

The court has not significantly changed in structure; but its personnel quality has certainly changed.

We have recently read reports on the Chief Justice of Nigeria interrogating the process of counter and conflicting court orders in relation to political matters.

While we wait for the outcome of the interrogation, it is clear that the values, professional integrity and dedication to duty of some of the personnel involved in the administration of justice have not retained the Olumide-like dedication to duty.

The court buildings and the judges remain but are the prosecutors assisted with the quality of investigation of the Sapara-type that helped the court conclude that the blood involved was human and not that of an animal and to be able to convict without finding a body.

Would it be possible in that era of professionalism to suggest, in the way that it was recently suggested, that a sum of missing money was swallowed by a snake?

What base thinking and assault to logic brings that kind of reasoning into contemplation if not a lack of professionalism and an opportunity to capitalize?

Ladies and gentlemen, I reiterate that the quality of any institution, country, business, ministry, development agency, school or otherwise is a direct result of the quality of its human capital.

I think I have now found my topic, and if you permit, I will conclude with it.

It is: “Human Capital and Institution Building.” 

Thank you for listening.

Sep

23

2021

We Must Maintain The Infrastructure We Build – Fashola

...Emphasizes maintenance of infrastructure as critical job creation and sustenance strategy
..Bauchi State Government acknowledges President Buhari’s infrastructure development strides

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has charged participants at the 27th Meeting of the National Council on Works in Bauchi, Bauchi State to activate the infrastructure maintenance economy in their respective states in order to create wealth and sustain long term jobs for citizens.

Addressing Council Members at the 27th Meeting of the National Council on Works the Minister said since the implementation of the Marshall plan in 1948, after the Second World War, it has become clear to any serious-minded economist or politician that infrastructure provision is critical to development, growth, wealth creation, employment and prosperity.

Speaking on the theme of the 27th Meeting of the National Council on Works: “Infrastructure Delivery, Maintenance Economy and National Prosperity”, he said: “I hope it would help all of us focus on, not just the importance of the investment in infrastructure, but more importantly on the maintenance of infrastructure, the economy around maintenance and sustainable and long-lasting jobs that are created through maintenance.”

According to Fashola, the heart of the matter and the message participants should all take home from the Meeting of the 27th Meeting of the National Council on Works is on what should be done in addition to building infrastructure, in order to keep the jobs on. “The answer, Ladies and Gentlemen is simple. We must maintain the infrastructure we build,” he charged all and sundry.

Speaking on maintenance economy, he said: “This is important for many reasons, the first of which is that it preserves the life of the infrastructure and get the best value for the money we spent on it.”

He explained further that maintenance economy is a critical contributor and driver of GDP in many economies around the world.

He said: “You will notice that I have spoken about a “maintenance economy” not a “maintenance culture.” This is because maintenance is not a cultural thing, it is an existential matter of survival, bread and butter and income.”

“Available data shows that in the “built industry” only about 30% of the manpower is employable by design and construction which lasts until the project is completed; while the remaining 70% are employed in the process of “operation” and “maintenance” of the infrastructure,” he said.

Speaking on the need for investment on infrastructure, the Minister said that the nations that are richer have more infrastructure than the country and in order to bridge this gap must invest saying that “No nation or community can grow bigger than the stock of infrastructure.”

He explained: “Infrastructure also helps to make people efficient, it creates competition and leads to productivity. Currently the Federal Government is executing 895 contracts in 795 projects spanning over 13,000 km of roads and bridges nationwide.”

Delivering his opening address, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, His Excellency, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed who was represented by the Deputy-Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Baba Tela acknowledged the contributions of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration on infrastructure development across the country.

The Governor further said that his  administration was also focused on reversing the trend of infrastructure deficit and decay that has held back the socio-economic development of the state.

He said: “As a deliberate policy, we have since assumption of office over two years ago, embarked on the provision of infrastructure that has direct bearing on the socio-economic life of our people.”

Speaking on infrastructure renaissance, he said that the state had embarked on accelerated urban renewal and rural development programme. “Within the last two years, our government has completed or about to complete over twenty-five roads covering over 200 kilometres in urban and semi urban areas across the state,” he said.

He commended the Federal Government for the support of the state urban renewal drive through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. “We are particularly appreciative of President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval for the expansion of dual carriage ways of two major Federal Highways that lead into Bauchi metropolis.

In his remarks the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing,  Babangida Hussaini thanked all Council members for attending the Council meeting and urged them to go back and implement all Council resolutions.

In attendance at the 27th Meeting of the National Council on Works were the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, the Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, representative of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Commissioners of Works  across the states of the country,the Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, the Permanent Secretaries of Ministry of Works from the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, captains in the built industry and other critical stakeholders in the works sector of the economy.

After the Council Meeting, the Honourable Minister inspected the expansion of the Bauchi-Ningi dual carriage way and the Phase 1 of the 2016 National Housing Programme in Bauchi.
On the National Housing Programme, the Minister said that the one, two and three bedroom semi-detached bungalows are meant for all and that subscription to it would be done online through a dedicated portal to ensure transparency and avoid undue human interference.

Jul

27

2021

Built Industry has progressed despite COVID 19 –Fashola

The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) has said that despite the socio economic consequences of Covid 19 pandemic, operatives of the built industry have continued to make progress. The Minister who was the guest speaker at the 15th Abuja International Housing Show said this while delivering his speech.

Fashola said, *“Even as our country, as indeed the entire World is still grappling with the social – economic consequences of the Covid – 19 pandemic, I have nothing but progress to report about how the built industry operatives, professionals and other stakeholders have contributed to increasing the stock of affordable and accessible home ownership in a pre and post –Covid era.”*

The Minister who was represented by the Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing Engineer, Abubakar D. Aliyu (FNSE), at the occasion hinged his view on the activitvites of stakeholders in the sector such as the National Housing programme, (NHP) of the Federal government which is aimed at constructing acceptable and affordable houses nationwide

He disclosed that a total of 1,021 building contractors have been engaged under phases 1 an 11 of the programme since its inception in 2016 and 13, 680 and 41, 040 direct and indirect jobs have been generated. He added that the Ministry of Works and Housing had undertaken the construction of 4,694 housing units, out of which 2,249 units have been completed in 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) with a total of 41 sites spread over the 34 states and the FCT.

Other activities of the Ministry include: housing development through Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives, Site and Services across the States, houses delivered by the Federal Housing Authority, FHA and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria both of which are Parastatals of the Ministry.

In her goodwill message, the Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Ghana, Freda Prempeh noted that the unprecedented negative economic impact of  Covid -19 pandemic had resulted in global economic recession which had greatly affected the urban poor and informal sector thereby worsening the housing problem globally.  She advised that social housing schemes must, as a matter of necessity, be given top priority by governments while boosting local production of building materials to generate employment.

The Chairman of the occasion, Surveyor Suleiman Hassan Zarma (MNIS), former Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing emphasized the need to provide affordable housing for the populace as a way of preventing the spread of Covid -19 which can occur when people are not adequately housed.

The Minister of Environment, Dr Muhammed Mahmood Abubakar spoke on the correlation between housing and climate change. He called on stakeholders in the built industry to ensure that international standards are met when putting up a building so that it can stand the test of time especially in the face of the danger that climate change portends.  He described the threat of climate change as a pandemic worse than the corona virus pandemic if not carefully handled.

In his welcome address, the convener of the event, Barrister Festus Adebayo disclosed that the conference which has the theme “Sustainable and Resilient Housing Solution for a post – pandemic World” would explore different innovations and requirements that can effectively position housing as a tool in combating the epidemic on the single premise that the World has finally come to the realization of the importance of housing and the environment

He further said that the conference would also consider the involvement of the youths in designing the future of affordable housing as well as the matter of housing data for effective planning and delivery

Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of awards by the Honourable Minister of state for Works and Housing given to   governors of Lagos, Yobe and Borno States as well as the Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing,Ghana, Preda Prempeh 

Boade Akinola
Director Press and Public Relations 
27th July, 2021
 

Jul

06

2021

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER ON THE COMMISSIONING OF DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF SOLAR PV AND MICRO-GRID POWER SYSTEM FOR FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WORKS AND HOUSING, MABUSHI, ABUJA, ON TUESDAY, 6TH JULY, 2021

Your Excellency Mr. President, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of my colleague, the Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu, the serving and previous Permanent Secretaries, serving and previous directors and members of staff of the Ministry of Works and Housing, I am delighted to welcome you to this commissioning ceremony.

This project was approved by the Federal Executive Council on the 20th  March 2019 at the time when the Ministry of Power was part of Works and Housing. I express our Ministry's appreciation to members of the Federal Executive Council who voted to entrust our Ministry with this project.

What we have delivered, based on the mandate of the Federal Executive Council, is a 1.52 MegaWatts Solar System that will provide uninterrupted power supply to 5 blocks housing the Ministry of Works and Housing and Ministry of Environment and Lands.

This project employed 382 artisans and 176 skilled workers throughout its duration, in fulfilment of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of creating jobs.
It would see to the reduction of average diesel consumption from 764,248 litres per annum to 166,825 litres per annum and cost saving of NGN270,945,000 over 20 years and contribute towards the reduction of government operational expenses and reduction of recurrent expenditure.

It has led to the upgrade and retrofitting of our electrical appliances by replacing 400 old Air-conditioning units with 400 new inverter-based energy efficient Air-conditioning units and replacing 2600 old light fittings with energy efficient LED ones all of which are energy saving because they consume 40% less energy.

In terms of local content...
Our contract engages 5 (Five) STEM candidates to work throughout the solar PV lifecycle of this project in the following roles:
a.    Two (2) candidates got trained in engineering design;
b.    Two (2) candidates got trained in project construction;
c.    One candidate got trained in engineering project management.

With this investment we have built our own Mini-Grid, in consonance with our Administration’s policy to promote off grid option, thereby making more of the on-grid power available to ordinary Nigerians who cannot afford the cost of investing in off-grid power.

To our contractor, I express deep appreciation for the efficient execution and more importantly for the sacrifice to complete this project in spite of the wide disparity between the foreign exchange rates in 2019 when the project was awarded and now, notwithstanding high importation costs of the parts.

Permit me sir, to also acknowledge two young people who were part of this project at different stages from inception to completion.

Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi and Engr. Femi Akinyelure, whom your Excellency appointed to the Rural Electrification Agency both of whom, with their colleagues, were involved in the energy audit and design of this project.

They represent the positive impact of youth involvement in public service; and of course, I cannot forget Engr. Julius Olurinola, our Director of Engineering Services, whose role I liken to that of a midwife, supervising, monitoring and reporting the progress of this project from incubation to delivery.

All I need now say is that other government buildings can follow this path and our team will be most enthusiastic to provide the support, and share our experiences and lessons learned, working with the Ministry of Power.

Your Excellency Mr. President, I have the pleasure to now invite you sir, to perform the official commissioning of the 1.52 MegaWatts Solar Power project to provide uninterrupted power to your staff in the Ministry of Works and Housing and Environment to improve their working conditions.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Works and Housing

Jun

24

2021

Nmiru Bridge: Council Of Ohafia Monarchs, Leaders Of Thought Commend FG

The Council of Ohafia Monarchs and Leaders of Thought have commended the Federal Government for expeditiously responding to their “save our souls” appeal over the state of Nmuri Bridge in Abia State, noting that their experience has shown that the President Buhari led administration is responsive to the yearnings of citizens irrespective of tribe, region and religion.

The delegation led by Chief Etigwe Uwa, SAN gave the commendation during a courtesy visit on the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN in Abuja.

Chief Etigwe Uwa thanked the Minister on behalf of the good people of Ohafia in Abia state for the quick response of the Minister in fixing the dilapidated old bridge.

He said: “I contacted the Honourable Minister on 30th January, 2021 and when I passed through that same bridge on 8th of February, 2021, work has already started.”

“This has demonstrated that the government listen to the cry of the people. It is a clear testimony that we as a community cried to government and government has listened to us. We are very grateful as a community.”

Continuing, he said that the Ministry's prompt response to the deplorable condition of the bridge had demonstrated that the President Buhari led administration was responsive to the cry of Nigerians irrespective of tribe, region and religion. “We are here today to confirm that things can work and are working in this present dispensation,” he said.

He called on the Federal Government to also expedite action to facilitate the completion of the construction of the Federal Road linking Ohafia, Bende and Umuahia which the Nmuri bridge is part of.

Also while reading a letter of appreciation, His Royal Highness, Elder Emmanuel Onugu on behalf of the people of Ohafia in Abia state thanked the Honourable Minister for the timely intervention in the repair and the construction of a modern brand-new bridge over Nmuri River at Ebem Ohafia.

Continuing, he said that the temporary work done by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) had provided succour to the people of that area who had long experienced hardship on account of the deplorable condition of the bridge which had almost become a death trap.

In his response, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN said that the completion of the abandoned Nmiru Bridge in Abia State, South Eastern Nigeria will bring succour to the road users in that area.

The reconstructed Nmuri bridge links Ohafia and Umuahia the Abia State capital.

According to Fashola the Ohafia bridge was one of the 37 bridges and over 800 projects that the Ministry was repairing, restoring, rehabilitating and constructing across Nigeria, pointing out that some of the bridges had been abandoned for the past five to six decades. He noted that the Nmuri Bridge was among those receiving attention. already.

He also stated that the Ministry through the intervention on those roads and bridges across the country had further demonstrated that the All Progressive Congress (APC) as a party has an ideology contrary to some opinions.

“The APC led government is governed by progressive ideology which is progressivism, which simply means that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to improve human condition through investment in many pillars such as agriculture, mining and in particular, infrastructure expansion, repair and development,” he said.

Other members of the delegation from Ohafia included His Royal Highness, Kalu Ikenga, Chief Awa Kalu, Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN, Mr. Kalu Okpo Kalu, Mr. Sunny Mbila, Architect Lucas Eme, Mr. Sunday Idika, Ogbonna Kalu, Dr. Eni Kalu and Mr. Charles Nkata.

The Permanent Secretary, Babaginda Hussein and some Directors of the Ministry joined the Honourable Minister to receive the delegation.

May

27

2021

Fashola Salutes Pioneering Work of Alhaji Femi Okunnu in Inaugurating ARCON 52 Years Ago 

·       Minister advocates synergy, cooperation among Nigerians as he performs groundbreaking, foundation laying ceremony of ARCON House in Abuja

·      Commends ARCON for showing example of choosing to build in spite of past disagreement

·      ARCON President, past president, Obong Victor Attah, others praise Minister for brokering peace within the profession

Fifty-two years after he served as Federal Commissioner for Works, Elder Statesman, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, was Thursday commended by the current Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, for kick-starting the great journey of building the nation, by inaugurating the first Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) in 1969.

Fashola, who spoke Thursday while performing the groundbreaking and foundation laying ceremony of the proposed ARCON House in Abuja, saluted the former Federal Commissioner for Works, who happens to be his Uncle, for his foresight, describing as ironic the fact that he is today continuing the journey of nation-building as a distant successor of his Uncle.

“It is indeed very ironic that I happen to be here today to now continue the journey he started. Really, it is interesting how these things happen and ironically none of us is an architect, but very happily we are both lawyers”, the Minister said expressing joy that the challenge is that of building and not of disagreement.

In a short but impactful speech he gave at the ceremony, Fashola called for synergy and cooperation among all Nigerians, especially professionals and other stakeholders, to join hands to rebuild the nation, saying in spite of the challenges and disagreements among the various stakeholders and interest groups, Nigerians could work together to build a nation of peace and harmony.

He told the quality audience consisting of past presidents of ARCON, members of Council and other icons in the Built Industry, “This is time for rebuilding our nation, this is time for rebuilding brotherhood, this is time for building our future”, adding that in a symbolic way, ARCON, by the day’s event, “is building its own future”.

Noting with delight that despite being enmeshed in challenges of disagreement a few years ago, ARCON had decided to set aside those challenges and build for itself a befitting House, Fashola declared, “Therefore, in spite of disagreements, we can still build if we choose to listen, if we choose to work together and if we choose to keep ego aside”.

The Minister commended the current ARCON leadership noting that three years ago, when it was inaugurated, the Architecture profession had very many challenges which he described as largely man-made. “But” he added, “I am happy that Engr. Ajayi (President of ARCON) and his team have taken upon themselves to say that if these problems are man-made, it will only take men of goodwill to resolve it and this is a very good example of the microcosm of what ARCON has done as a blessing to all of us”.

Commending ARCON for the decision to build and establish its presence in the Federal Capital Territory as a symbol of the unity of its professionals, Fashola declared, “To all the seen and unseen hands who have helped to restore engagement, who have helped to restore that family, I send my great word of thanks”, adding, “This is a much better place for the Architecture Family than where it was three years ago”.

“I am joyous because you have helped to give invaluable quality to the many generations of those who are aspiring to join the profession. This is a very great challenge worth having; a challenge of building not a challenge of disagreement”, the Minister said.

Fashola, who expressed pleasure in the honour accorded him to perform the ceremony, however called on all the stakeholders to endeavour to contribute their quotas to see to the completion of the House in record time, adding, “The work has just begun, so all of those hands, president and past presidents and all other interest groups must brace up to this challenge, so together we can hand-over a very befitting and very momentous turn to the next generation”.

In his goodwill message earlier, the Governor of Taraba State, Arch. Darius Dickson Isiaku, congratulated ARCON for finally deciding to build for itself, describing as a paradox the fact that the Council has for decades built edifices for others without having a roof over its own head. 

Commending the efforts of the Minister of Works and Housing and his FCT counterpart to bring the ARCON decision to reality, the Governor, who was represented at the occasion by one of the State officials, Arc. Dauda, also commended the efforts of the Council to make the project possible at this time.

In his own goodwill, the Minister of Industries, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, who was also represented at the occasion, congratulated ARCON on its efforts to establish its presence in Abuja noting that by its mandate his Ministry considers ARCON a veritable stakeholder in the development of the nation.

Others who gave goodwill messages included a past President of ARCON and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Arc. Obong Victor Attah, who thanked Fashola for brokering lasting peace within the profession urging him to ensure that Nigeria is being built by Nigerian Architects and where a foreigner is concerned, such foreigner should be registered in Nigeria.

Earlier in his welcome address, ARCON President, Arch (Sir) Gabriel Oladipupo Ajayi listed the cardinal objectives of ARCON to include re-engineering the Council, harmonizing positions with all interest groups with the help of the Minister of Works and Housing, who, according to him, “calls us together all the time” and building a befitting home for Architects as well as maintaining a visible presence in Lagos.

Expressing gratitude to the Minister for his peace efforts that have brought the profession and interest groups together, the ARCON President declared, “On his part, he has been a backbone of this Council”, adding that as a result the Council has delivered on all fronts.

May

13

2021

Sensitize Other Institutions for Partnership –Aliyu

The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, FNSE has advised management of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors to sensitize other government and non- governmental institutions on the important of survey to infrastructure development in order to enjoy wide partnership.

Aliyu who represented the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN gave the advice during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors.

The Minister further noted that the Ministry of Works and Housing appreciates the value of the institution to building and construction, adding that other institutions like the Nigerian Army should be sensitized on the importance of survey in construction works in order to partner with the institution in all their construction activities.

Aliyu added that the world would not be stable without survey, stating that nothing could be put on the ground without properly giving all the coordinates and the levels to superimpose whatever anyone would want to impose on the ground.

“Sensitize people to partner with you, it will enable them imbibe best global practices to what they are doing,” the Minister added.

Engr. Aliyu assured the delegation of the ministry's support towards the successful hosting of the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors in Abuja.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation and President of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Surv.  Charles D. Charles said they were in the ministry to invite the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN as the Chief Host of the forthcoming Annual General Meeting of the Institution and solicit for the support and cooperation of the ministry towards the event.

Surv.  Charles disclosed that the annual meeting of the institution which has as its theme, "Emerging trends in Geospatial Technologies for Earth System and Infrastructure Mapping Monitoring and Management,” would be held in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, from 25th – 27th May, 2021.

According to the President of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, the sub- themes would address trends in Geospatial Technologies which would include: Mapping and Monitoring, Earth Resources Mapping, Monitoring and Management.

In addition, Surv Charles explained that the conference would create opportunities for all stakeholders in the geo-spatial industry to discuss and showcase latest developments in knowledge, processes and facilities that would help drive the surveying and mapping environment for successful delivery of national and organizational policies and projects.

He further informed the Minister that the investiture of the 22nd President of the Institution would take place on 27th May, 2021 at the conference.

The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) is the umbrella Professional Association of Surveyors in Nigeria, a member of the International Federation of Surveyors ( IFS), the Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy ( CASLE)and the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN).

Apr

29

2021

Address By The Honourable Minister Of Works And Housing, H.E. Babatunde Raji Fashola, San Presented By The Honourable Minister Of State Federal Ministry Of Works And Housing, Engr. Abubaker D. Aliyu, Fnse On The Occasion Of The 9th Meeting Of The National Council On Lands, Housing And Urban Development Holding At The Kwarafa Multi-Purpose Hall, Elim-Top Suites, Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State On Thursday, 29th April, 2021.

Protocol

Permit me to begin this address by expressing my profound gratitude to the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Rtd Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, the good and homely people of Plateau State “Home of Peace and Tourism” for accepting to host us in spite of the extremely difficult socio-economic situation and the exigencies of the moment. Your Excellency, finding time from your busy schedule to grace this 9th edition of National Council Meeting on Lands Housing and Urban Development with theme “Housing Delivery in Covid-19 Era and Beyond: The Strategies for Affordability and Accessibility” is highly appreciated.

2.    Permit me to also state that the choice of this year’s theme for the annual meeting is deliberate and germane to the prevailing circumstances we presently find ourselves defined by Covid-19 Pandemic. Because as a country and people, we do not exist as island from the rest of the world. Thus the impact of the Pandemic is equally felt in all sectors of the economy.

3.    There is no gainsaying the fact that access to affordable human habitats (houses) by the people has been problematic over the years even during the Covid-19 Era. However, this Administration, since its inception in 2015 has been able to confront this herculean challenge head-on by rolling out concrete policies programmes and projects towards addressing effectively it.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

4.    Government is fully aware that housing challenges are prevalent in urban centres which should be understood as a symptom of urbanization. The rural areas face less challenges as underscored by a number of empty houses available for occupation. Urbanization creates excess demand which in turn creates economic problems of demand and supply that is translated into price hike and scarcity which impacts on affordability and accessibility.

5.    Indeed, the difficulties of price hike are not only the inflationary pricing driven by excess demand but also extortionary payment of one, two or even up to three years rent in advance. Make no mistake, people have struggled under the burden of this extortionist rates and payment increase, in some cases, in the midst of scarcity there are empty house un-occupied for myriad reasons such as size, price, payment mode and so on and so forth. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 incidence has made the situation even more difficult for those who are in the struggling bracket. These include;

i.    Employers and Employees who have lost businesses or employment and therefore income from where rent can be paid who now face the risk of eviction;

ii.    Landlords/property Owners who invested before Covid-19 but who now face dwindling market demand and in some cases bank foreclosure because projected income from sale or lease has not materialized due to Covid-19 challenges, etc.

5.    The scenario above are the life situations across the world including Nigeria. This makes the choice of our theme and subject a compelling national discourse for our 9th Meeting of the National Council.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

6.    I will be remiss if I fail at this juncture to inform you about the laudable achievements recorded by the present Administration under the visionary and dynamitic leadership of President Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR. On our scorecard are milestone achievements in the following broad areas:

i.    Support for businesses (CBN) loan re-scheduling
ii.    Ease of lockdown (small businesses resumed work in July, 2020
iii.    Provision of Survival Fund
iv.    VAT exemption for businesses with less than N25m turnover.

7.    So far, in the areas of Housing, what the Federal Government can do directly is limited compared to what States can do, and State Governments are also limited, compared to what private sector and individuals can do. Put differently, the majority of houses available for sale or rent belong to individuals and private companies compared to what States or Federal Government has available. Therefore, many of the tenants who owe rent, who face eviction or who seek to rent or buy property are dealing with private citizens or companies and less so with Government Agencies.

8.    Consequently, my recommendation for improving access and affordability in the Covid-19 Era is for private companies and individuals to give back some of what they control to citizens in the way that FGN has given back to citizens some of what it controls. For example, in cases where rent of businesses or individuals are due for renewal, the private Landlords can give back, by accepting monthly, quarterly or half-yearly rent instead of one, two or three years rent in advance. The risk of defaults can be secured by Bank Guarantees or Insurance Bonds provided by the tenant. Where rent has fallen into arrears, it is possible to emulate what FGN did through the CBN to reschedule payment on loans, by re-scheduling the payment for the tenant to more affordable terms instead of pursuing eviction.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

9.    Notably, all of these are matters of voluntary action by property owners and a matter of conscience. And perhaps the question to ask is whether we can do for ourselves or give to one another what we ask Government to do for us or give to us. Beyond voluntary action, there is State intervention which can facilitate access and affordability. As I have earlier pointed out, properties are not necessarily inaccessible or unaffordable because of the price alone, but more often because of the mode of payment. For example, a N10m flat would probably be affordable and accessible if payment is spread over 5 to 10 years as against having to be paid at once. The same would be one for renting a N2m per annum house if payment were made monthly in arrears or 6-month in advance, as against paying 3-years rent (amounting to N6m) in advance. These are some of the biggest hurdles that confront our people in almost all States.

10.    It is therefore my candid recommendation to this Council to consider intervention by way of recommending a legislation that limits how such advance rent can be demanded or paid for renting accommodation. The sanction for non-compliance is that this would be a self-enforcing legislation in that the State apparatus such as the Courts would not help any party to such a contract get relief as it would be a patently illegal contract. This has been tried in other jurisdictions within and outside Nigeria and it has helped to improve accessibility and affordability. Many empty properties in our urban centres remain inaccessible or unaffordable because of some of these factors, and they can be unlocked if we act.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

11. Another matter for consideration of Council is the rapid deployment of co-operative housing which I presented to Council at the last meeting. I am in a position to update Council that the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has been the driver of the initiative at FGN Level and they have:

i.    86 Co-operatives engaged in projects
ii.    N35,784Billion cumulatively approved
iii.    N10.95Billion cumulatively disbursed
iv.    57 Co-operative Housing Development Loans under processing as at January, 2021.

The potential for accessibility and affordability is that:

a)    Co-operative members can choose what they want and therefore design and build to fit their own individual and group budget.

b)    Co-operatives can leverage their members to get group discount for purchase of building materials and the engagement of contractors to build.

Because State Governments control much more land, the use of the land as a tool to enable Co-operatives within their States to build, can be very impactful in changing the affordability and accessibility paradigms in the COVID-19 Era and beyond.

12.    Finally, I could not conclude my remarks without thanking all the 34 States who have given us land for the National Housing Projects in their respective States. In the next few weeks we shall be unveiling the dedicated web portal for the sale of the buildings to Nigerians on a first come first serve basis. We urge the State Governments to alert their residents to this opportunity for interested persons to apply. Contributors to the National Housing Fund (NHF) should be able to access mortgage loans that will facilitate affordability.

Thank you.    

Apr

28

2021

Opening Remarks By The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry Of Works & Housing, Babanggida Hussaini At The Meeting Of Permanent Secretaries For The 9th National Council On Lands, Housing And Urban Development In Jos, Plateau State On Wednesday, 28th April, 2021

Protocol

    I am delighted to welcome you all to the 9th meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development with the theme “Housing Delivery in the Covid-19 Era and Beyond: the strategies for Affordability and Accessibility” holding in Jos, Plateau State. It is important that I used this opportunity to convey our appreciation to the Government and people of Plateau State for working tirelessly in making sure that this event is a successful one.

2.    The theme for this year’s meeting is carefully selected to harness the stakeholders’ views on the myriad of challenges affecting the delivery of affordable and accessible housing in Nigeria and how to refine strategies to address such challenges during and post Covid-19 pandemic era. Some of the notable challenges brought  about by the Covid – 19 era are the decline in per capita income of the world population resulting in the global economic meltdown, issues of security, particularly how to address the safety of works on sites and the occupants of houses during and after the Covid – 19 era.

3.    Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the primary responsibility of nations the Wprld over has being the guarantee of the security of lives and properties of its citizens and the provision of policies and measures that leads to the socio-economic wellbeing of its citizens. Therefore, the theme of the meeting “Housing Delivery in the Covid-19 era and beyond: the Strategies for Affordability and Accessibility” is apt as it provides the stakeholders the forum to deliberate and come up with decisions on how to address issues of safety and security, economy, job creation, poverty alleviation, growth and empowerment of the informal sector among others.

4.    The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing is currently implementing programmes and policies that are aimed at providing affordable and accessible housing in the Country. Some of these activities and programmes include: collaboration with the Private Sector on the provision of affordable and quality housing in the Country through the Site and Services Scheme, improved Land Administration and Management, National Housing Programme which is in its second phase, the development of the Nigeria National Building Code and Energy Efficiency Code. There is no doubt in my mind that when all these are being implemented nationwide, these measures would address some of the affordability and accessibilty challenges as well as enhance housing delivery in the Country.

5.    As you are aware, the Council meeting is heralded by a 2-Day Technical meeting which took place on Monday – Tuesday (26rd – 27th April, 2021) wher all memoranda submitted by the various stakeholders are being considered, reviewed it and recommendations submitted to the meeting of the Permanent Secretaries for further review. Our responsibility, therefore is to improve on the foundation laid at the Technical meeting carefully review the submissions so as to ensure a result oriented Council meeting.

6.    Once again, I welcome you all to the meeting of Permanent Secretaries of this year’s Council meeting and wish you fruitful deliberations.

7.    Thank you for your kind attention.

Mar

08

2021

Minister Of State Works And Housing Sympathizes With Traders Over Potiskum Market Fire

The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu, has sympathized with traders who lost their goods at the Saturday fire that razed most parts of the Potiskum Central Market in Yobe State.

The minister, in a statement on Sunday, extended his heartfelt sympathy to all the traders affected by the fire incident, praying to Almighty Allah (SWT) to replace their monumental loss.

The Potiskum market fire occurred on March 6, 2021, and razed down shops majorly around Layin Masko, thereby destroying goods worth millions of naira, according to eye witnesses.

Engineer Aliyu said: “It is with heavy heart that I extend my sympathy to the traders of Potiskum Central Market who lost their property in the tragic fire incident that occurred Saturday night, March 6, 2021.

“I prayed to Almighty Allah (SWT) to console the traders who lost multi-million naira goods in the tragedy. I also prayed to Almighty Allah to replenish their wealth once again.” 

The minister said the tragedy has not affected only the traders who lost their property, but the entire good people of Potiskum and Yobe state in general. 

Nov

12

2020

Budget 2021: Our Priorities Remain Completion of Ongoing Housing Projects - Fashola

Works and Housing Minister Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has stated that the priority of the Housing Sector of his ministry in the 2021 budget is completion of ongoing projects.

Mr. Fashola stated this during the 2021 budget defense of the Housing Sector of his ministry before the Joint Senate and House Committees on Housing, Thursday, November 12, 2020.

"The basis of the 2021 Budget will be anchored on the following priority areas; completion of the construction of the remaining 2140 units of houses under the National Housing Program in 34 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)," he said.

Other projects prioritised for completion in the 2021 budget according to the Minister are; completion of the construction of ongoing Federal Secretariats in six (6) States of Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Nasarawa, Osun and Zamfara.

Fashola also listed, building and maintenance works for other MDAs nationwide, upgrading , completion and running of Building Craft Training Schools in Harvey Road , Yaba and Onikan , Lagos State and Design and Installation of Solar Power PV Microgrid System and Energy Retrofitting of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing Headquarters Mabushi Abuja as amongst the priority projects of the Ministry.

The Minister told the committee that the ongoing projects under the Housing Sector includes the construction of 3,926 National Housing Projects across the six geo-political zones of the Federation and FCT, out which he said 1,786 units have been completed.

He also mentioned that eleven (11) Federal Secretariats are being rehabilitated, while six (6) in Bayelsa, Anambra, Ekiti, Osun, Zamfara and Nasarawa are under construction.

Accordingly, the Minister reminded the Committee that, President Muhammadu Buhari had during the presentation of the 2021 budget proposals repeatedly emphasised the necessity to focus the Budget on completion of projects.

Speaking on the challenges, Fashola said: "The major factor militating against the timely completion of projects is insufficient budgetary provision for projects to sustain annual cash-flow requirements levels."

He suggested that MDAs should provide a sum representing 2-10  percent of Capital Budget annually as maintenance provision, pointing out that the peculiarities of public buildings and dynamics of indigenous operational imperatives warrant greater flexibility, necessitating a more robust and pragmatic provision.

The Joint Senate and House Committees on Housing led by Senator Sam Egwu suggested that to address the issue of insufficient budgetary provision for projects and to be able to sustain annual cash-flow requirement levels, the Ministry should key in the 2020 outstanding liabilities into the 2021 budget proposal or any other future budget appropriation.

His suggestion was informed by the huge outstanding liabilities to the tune of N69.9 billion as against the N76.4 billion 2021 budget proposal. He pointed out that if the 2021 budget proposal is used to defray the 2020 liabilities, nothing would be left to execute and sustain 2021 projects.

Aug

14

2020

Fashola Inaugurates FHA Executive Management Team

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN has today inaugurated the Executive Management Team of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), with a charge to strive to complete the ongoing housing projects of the Federal Government.

The new executive management team of the FHA has Senator Olugbenga Ashafa as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer while Honourable Abdulmumuni Jibril is Executive Director, Business Development and Mr. Maurice Ekpeyong is Executive Director, Housing Finance and Corporate Services.

While congratulating the management team for the confidence reposed on them by the President, the Minister expressed the hope that the trust and confidence would be well kept in the discharge of their duties.

Fashola said, “Mr. President has chosen well because the team members have the requisite skill and experience needed to move the FHA forward”.

The Minister who took time to analyse the positive qualities of the appointees, stated that the combined effort of the trio would form a strong team that would actualize the aim of the current administration of providing affordable houses which is being addressed in various fronts.

While explaining that the Act establishing the FHA sets out clear responsibilities for the organisation, he urged the management team to work assiduously to ensure that the challenge of housing gaps in Nigeria is addressed.

Accordingly, the Minister pointed out that, through the Federal Government Housing projects, people are empowered at the grassroots by way of strategic and planned maintenance. He also urged the management team to commit to developing new estates in urban centers in order to address the housing needs which are greater in urban centers.

The Minister also assured the management team of the Ministry’s readiness to give them the necessary support to ensure their success, adding that the ministry would not meddle in their affairs unnecessarily.

“We don’t interfere on what Parastatals do but we will intervene if we see you veering off”, he said.

In a goodwill message, Senator Sam Egwu, Chairman Senate Committee on Housing enjoined the members to work as a team so as to realize their mandate while assuring them of support by the National Assembly.

Responding on behalf of the Management team, the new MD/CEO of FHA Senator Bareehu Olugbenga Ashafa expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for the trust and confidence reposed on them by the appointment. He pledged his team’s unalloyed support and commitment towards providing affordable houses for Nigerians.

Mar

17

2020

Fashola To Professional Builders : Intervene During Construction To Avoid Building Collapse

* Condoles with Governor, Government and People of Lagos over Sunday’s explosion in the State

* As Nigerian Institute of Building confers Honorary Fellowship on Minister

* Debunks recent misrepresentation in the media over unoccupied houses across the country

* Underscores need to build knowledge and values as he describes building as “a very ennobling undertaking”

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, Monday charged members of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) to endeavour to intervene at the time of construction of any building in any part of the country as a proactive step to stem the incidence of building collapse and consequent loss of life and property.

Fashola, who gave the charge when he hosted members of the Institute who paid a courtesy visit and conferred the honorary Fellowship of the Institute on him, expressed deep condolence to the Governor, Government and people of Lagos State over the explosion that caused loss of life and property and left many injured in the Abule Ado part of the State.

Speaking at the Conference Room of the Ministry, Fashola, who began his remarks by acknowledging the sad incident which occurred on Sunday, expressed deep sorrow at the unfortunate incident describing it as a tragedy which, according to him, had caused a painful separation of the dead victims from their loved ones.

Noting also that the incident was avoidable, the Minister declared, “I join many Nigerians and non-Nigerians in expressing my very deep condolences to those who lost loved ones and also those who suffered varying degrees of injuries and also lost properties; our very deep and sincere sympathy go to the Governor and the Government and people of Lagos State”.

“Our thoughts, our prayers and sympathy and best wishes are with you as you go through these difficult time, especially in helping bereaved residents to deal with the very tragic pain of separation in an untimely, very painful and perhaps avoidable manner and I pray that the souls of the dear departed rest in peace”, he said.

Fashola, who charged the Institute to take interest during the construction of buildings to ensure that the right things were done, said at that point the opportunity to give advice and effect correction was still available adding that such intervention would be more timely and valuable than after a building had collapsed.

Obviously responding to the opening remarks of the President of the Institute who stressed the need to enforce the law to serve as deterrence, the Minister said as important as it is to enforce the law in the Built Industry as a means of minimizing incidences of building collapse, questions should be better asked during the construction of the buildings to ensure that the right things were being done.

He declared, “Mr. President, I couldn’t agree with you more that we need to enforce the law. But, I think there is a lot of work for all of us to do; because we must ask questions and I believe that as an Institute and as Professionals we, more than anybody, have the rights to ask those questions. And it is not when buildings have collapsed that we can ask those questions; it is while those buildings are being constructed”.

“You can go in there and see who is there; and that must not and should not offend anybody; just to see that the right thing is being done. In the interest of the preservation of life, that should not offend anybody. That will be my real charge to the Institute: How we can ensure that every building under construction is our business because every death that happens when a building collapses is also our business.

Reiterating that the most auspicious time to intervene was during the construction of a building, the Minister declared, “If we see something that is wrong during construction that is the time to intervene, to advise and to correct”, adding that his Ministry would continue to interact and interface with the institute in the effort to serve Nigerians better.

The Minister also used the opportunity to correct the misrepresentation in a section of the Media of a statement he made recently while hosting the Senate Committee on Housing reiterating that he only said the Ministry was understudying to see how to apply to the Public Sector the model by some organizations that are redesigning their large buildings to smaller units to make them affordable for rental.

Fashola, who said the media report gave the impression that government planned to seize peoples’ unoccupied houses and lease them out, explained, “What I said, and I will repeat, was that we see a lot of empty houses; we see the experience of some corporate organizations beginning to break up these houses because they are too big and, therefore, people cannot afford them.

“And that we see some people are now breaking them into smaller units and, therefore they become sizeable and therefore affordable for the pockets of some people. So those houses that have been empty for a while and generating no income are now generating income; and that we are understudying that model to see what is possible in the public sector”, he explained further.

He declared, “So before you incite other people against me, I have no right to seize peoples’ houses and lease them out if they are private property”, and advised that those whose responsibility it is to report others have the right to ask questions as well as follow-up questions to clarify any issues that were not clear to them concerning the subject of their reports.

Fashola also spoke on the need for builders to build what people could use adding that it was necessary to first plan and find out who would use the building before embarking on the construction. The Minister pointed out that going by the realities of the present generation, young people have shown that they do not need too much space adding that such realities should be imbibed into the building culture for the present generation.

He told his Guests, “And the lesson we are seeing is that the generation of our children don’t have our own hoarding instincts. They are not taking on too much Aso-Ebi and all those things, they need very little space. So if we are building for that generation, we must build with their sensitivity and their needs in mind so that we can really then build what they will use and we must build to last”.

Describing building as “a very ennobling undertaking”, Fashola, who said the profession both ennobles the builder and the beneficiary, added, “Whether it is a house or a road, building is ennobling and those who build really are those who contribute to prosperity as distinct from those who destroy,” acknowledging also that although it is good to build brick and mortar, it is also important to build knowledge and values.

“So if we build without knowledge, without values, it will not last. If we build because we compromise values, we will compromise rules and the results are predictable and they are unpleasant”, he said adding that it is only true professionals that could be trusted to uphold the tenets of the Building Profession.

Thanking the Institute for the honour of the Award, Fashola said he was receiving the award on behalf of all those people who worked with him in Lagos and those currently working with him, including the Minister of State, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, the Permanent Secretary, Mohammed Bukar and the Directors pointing out that whatever achievements that earned the award was through a team effort.

“Yes we hold a ceremony to confer Fellowship. But I have found it difficult, and still find it difficult, to take individual credit for any work that a team does. And, therefore, whatever may have attracted this award can only be the work of a collective effort. So I wear this gown and I don this hat on behalf of all the members of my team; those who had worked with me back in Lagos and those who continue to work with me here”, the Minister said.

The Minister promised, however, that he would shoulder the enormous responsibility of upholding the knowledge and values of the Institute that come with the Award “to ensure that all the people who pass through the portals of this Institute are found worthy in knowledge and in values before they can be called members of the Institute of Building”.

“It is those people who we can then trust to ensure, not just the production of the next generation, but the diligent application of all of the essential tenets of the Building Profession, because it is a Profession, it is a serious business”, he said.

Earlier in his opening remarks, President of the Institute, Builder Kunle Awobodu said the Award was conceived as far back as when the Minister served meritoriously as Governor of Lagos State, who, among several other infrastructure renewal projects and policies which promoted an organized and livable society, raised a statue in honour of the engineering genius and social, Professor Ayodele Awojobi in Yaba.

Another reason, the President said, was the work Fashola did and the awareness the former Governor raised on the tragedy of building collapse adding that the inspiration he got to champion the campaign against building collapse in the State came from the former Governor who, according to him, formed a technical committee in 2008 for the reform of the State’s Physical Planning Law with prominent Lagos Professionals including the present Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo Olu as members.

The President, who canvassed for the strict adherence to the Building Code and enforcement of the Law on Building, said strict enforcement of the law remained the only way to stem incessant building collapses across the country.

Also present at the colourful Award ceremony were the Minister of State, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Mohammed Bukar, Directors, Special Advisers and other top officials of the Ministry while President of the Institute was accompanied by the Chairman, Council of Registered Builders and Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Kabir Bala , Vice Chancellor, Plateau State University, Professor Yohanna Izam , Deputy Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Akure, Professor Deji Ogunsemi , Chairman, NIOB College of Fellows, Builder (Mrs) Adebolanle Araba , NIOB Immediate Past President, Builder Kenneth Nduka , NIOB Trustee Member, Builder (Mrs) Iyabode Bolarinwa  and Chairperson, Association of Professional Women Builders, Builder (Mrs) Lami Mohammed among many other prominent members.

Oct

22

2021

Fashola Calls On States To Re-Commit To Housing Development

Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN has called on State Governments to recommit to housing development in their respective states in order to increase access to affordable housing to the citizenry.

Fashola spoke in his keynote address at the meeting of the Honourable States' Commissioners responsible for housing matters during the10th Meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development held in Lagos State.

The theme of the meeting is "Housing Development as a Catalyst for Job Creation, Social Inclusion and Economic Development."

The Minister explained that the inequality among the nations and people can be reduced drastically if housing need of the poor is considerably addressed in the states. 

"These are some of the reasons why I seek to persuade all of you to go back to your States to persuade your Governors to re-commit to housing development. I said re-commit, because I am aware that many states are doing something, but you will agree that there is a scope to improve and scale up," he said

“One reason why this will require an All of Government Action is the fact That land is a critical component of capital formation and it is controlled by the states (not the Federal Government)and I am persuaded that appropriate, targeted and purposeful use of land, such as for  the development of housing by the states and private sector, will unleash prosperity in all states that aggregates to national prosperity,” Fashola explained.
 
The Minister gave example of Lagos State days of the LEDB, LSDPC and Lateef Jakande has been and added that the present Governor Babajide Sanwo- Olu, remains example of what state governments can do to deepen housing supply and reap the benefits that comes with it.
 
Buttressing his position, Fashola stated that land and housing is a sub-national matter of jurisdictions, pointing out that what the states do to facilitate processing of land titles, documentation, Certificate of Occupancy and other Geographic Information (GIS) details will go a long way in facilitating easy housing delivery.
 
Accordingly, he stated that appropriate, targeted and purposeful use of land, such as for the development of housing by the states and private sector, will unleash prosperity in all states that aggregates to national prosperity.
 
The Minister informed the meeting that the Federal Government is undertaking a National Housing Programme in 34 states aggregating to about 5,000 housing units, and trying to complete an inherited ministerial pilot housing scheme across the states which has a little over 6,000 units.

Fashola said that the decisions to recommit to housing development by State governments would facilitate the creation of variety of jobs because the services of various professionals in the built industry such as town planners, architect would be required, adding that artisans like masons, plumbers, carpenters and food vendors  would not be left out of the value chain of prosperity resulting from economic development.

"When construction actively starts, ‘the economic explosion happens, supplies of sand, cement, reinforcements, roofing, plumbing, painting, and other components get to work" and "this drives a critical business in all our states, the micro small and medium enterprises who make or supply these building components, “he emphasized.

In the same vein, he explained that the Federal Housing Authority and Federal Mortgage Bank are also intervening as federal agencies in respective housing development directly through cooperative societies and the provision of development loans and mortgage loans.

But all these, he added, account for only a small amount of the need across the nation for many reasons not excluding the limited amount of land available to these federal agencies.

In his opening remarks, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while assuring participants at the council of implementing the recommendations of the meeting, disclosed that the state had begun to implement the commendations agreed on at the 9thNationalCouncil on Lands Housing and Urban Development, on making land available for Building by providing lands to build a mini city at Imota in Ikorodu   Division of Lagos State.

He said the state would develop about 3,500 housing units of 2 and 3 bedrooms in phases for civil servants and those in the informal sector who fall within the category of low-income earners and to be acquired at a single digit interest rate mortgage plan that could span a period of 15years. He added that his administration was determined to develop decent homes within the states as well as meet the housing needs of the citizens irrespective of their location.

Mr Governor, who said that home ownership was a vital tool for taking people out of poverty, assured the council that Lagos State would collaborate with the Private sector to adopt the monthly rent payment as proposed by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN.

In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works And Housing, Babangida Hussaini, commended the excellent leadership of the works and housing sectors.

He also noted the commitment of Council Members to the 10th Meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development and urged them to go back and implement the Council Resolutions.

Oct

21

2021

We Create Jobs Through Housing Construction - Perm Sec

Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Babangida Hussaini said the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration is creating jobs for Nigerians through construction of mass housing nationwide.

Hussaini who made the remarks at the ongoing 10th National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development holding in Lagos State was represented at the occasion by the Director Lands and Housing of the Ministry, Mrs. Great- Edereka.

The theme of the Council meeting is "Housing Development as a Catalyst for Job Creation, Social Inclusion and Economic Development."

Hussaini restated the commitment of the Federal Government towards the creation of employment for the citizens through mass housing construction across the states.

The Permanent Secretary said that the present administration is committed to addressing critical economic challenges confronting the country as well as lifting hundred Nigerians out of poverty through creation of jobs and sustenance of an inclusive egalitarian society.

He explained that the construction of mass housing by the federal government under the National Housing Programme has led to the creation of numerous jobs both directly and indirectly, pointing out that it has positively impacted immensely on the economy.

"This Programme has impacted massively on the national economy through the creation of direct and indirect jobs," he said.

The Permanent Secretary disclosed that the federal government had embarked on the construction of decent and affordable mass housing nationwide under the National Housing Programme (NHP) and also strengthened collaboration with the organised private sector under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) to provide same to Nigerians.

Hussaini also disclosed that in a bid to   realise President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision to expand the infrastructure and housing stock of the nation, the Ministry has adequately supported the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and Federal Housing Authority with all the necessary assistance needed.

While urging the participants to engage in a robust deliberation on memoranda presented before them, he noted that it was the responsibility of stakeholders in the built industry to ensure that housing development served as a catalyst for job creation, social inclusion and economic development.

Hussaini said "The task of ensuring that housing development serves as a catalyst for job creation, social inclusion and economic development rest on the shoulders of all the stakeholders in the industry," therefore " I urge all stakeholders in the industry to make good use of the opportunity provided by the council meeting to deliberate on memoranda submitted towards formulating and strengthening policies that will address housing development in Nigeria."

Speaking earlier, the Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos State, TPL Dr. Idris Salako, revealed that the Lagos State Government had relaxed some policies to encourage investments in the Real Estate Sector for housing provision by lifting embargoes from areas that were under various ban.

He explained that the advantages of the policy relaxation included: availability of more land for housing delivery, abundant job creation to engage professionals, technicians and artisans in the production line of the housing sector.

The day three of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development Meeting is the day of the meeting of the body of Permanent Secretaries under the Chairmanship of the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

The meeting was to deliberate and brainstorm on the memoranda earlier produced during the first two days meeting of the technical officers and directors of relevant agencies in the built industry.

The body of the Permanent Secretaries will forward their report to the higher body of States' Commissioners meeting of the built industry under the Chairmanship of the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing for final endorsement.

Oct

18

2021

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE DIRECTOR, PLANNING, RESEARCH & STATISTICS, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WORKS AND HOUSING, MR OLAJIDE B. ODE-MARTINS, AT THE 10TH MEETING OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON LAND, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, HOLDING AT THE MARRIOT HOTEL, IKEJA, LAGOS STATE ON MONDAY, 18TH OCTOBER, 2021.

Protocol

    It is with great pleasure and gratitude to Almighty God that I welcome you all to this memorable event of this 10th Meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development with the theme: “Housing Development as a Catalyst for Job Creation, Social Inclusion and Economic Development” holding here in Ikeja, Lagos State from today, Monday, 18th to Thursday, 21st October, 2021.

2.    We wish to express our sincere gratitude to the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Government and the good people of Lagos State for welcoming us to this great occasion.

3.    Permit me to also appreciate the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN and the Permanent Secretary, Babangida Hussaini, for their unique leadership roles in piloting the affairs of the Ministry.

4.   I must also recognize the presence of the Directors from the Federal and States Ministries of Housing, Lands and Urban Development and other officials from MDAs as well as professional bodies at this Council meeting. 

5.    Let me also commend the members of the Local Organizing Committee of the host State for their commitment and total support in ensuring that the event takes off successfully.

6.    As you are aware, the Meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, the highest policy advisory body in the Housing Sector, is an annual event and a platform where stakeholders deliberate on issues and proffer solutions and recommendations that would facilitate the repositioning of the Sector to achieve its role as a catalyst for job creation, social inclusion and economic development. 

7.    Therefore, I urge all the Directors to use their wealth of experience and expertise, to own the process with zeal and show the right commitment towards a successful Council Meeting.  

8.    At this juncture, I would like to assure you that all necessary arrangements have been put in place to ensure a successful Council Meeting.  The Secretariat is readily available to assist the participants during this Meeting.

9.    Once again, I welcome you all to this occasion and wish you fruitful deliberations.

Thank you.

Sep

25

2021

FG’S Strategy On Infrastructure As Driver Of Economic Growth Is Working - Fashola

     *  As Minister inspects Keffi-Makurdi Road, National Housing Programme, Federal Secretariat in Nasarawa

     *  “Our role as a progressive government is to improve the human condition”, he says

     *  Advocates collaboration, rather than agitation, as means to resolve issues arising from compensations

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has inspected the ongoing Dualization of the 221 KM Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road, the National Housing Programme and Federal Secretariat projects in Nasarawa State, declaring that the strategy of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration on infrastructure as a driver of economic growth is working.

Fashola, who also noted that the role of a progressive government is to improve the human condition, advocated collaboration rather than agitation as a means of solving issues like compensation because collaboration would enable government to engage the owners of land and properties along the corridors of ongoing road projects while construction and rehabilitation works continue on such projects.

Responding to a question on Federal Government’s borrowings while interacting with newsmen after inspecting the Road, the Minister,  explained that the road is being funded from a China EXIM Bank loan, pointing out that although the decision to borrow from the Chinese bank was initiated by the immediate past administration, the process was completed by the current administration because “It is money borrowed for investment to improve peoples’ lives”.

“I have always told you that my own view of our role as a progressive government is to improve the human condition”, he told the newsmen adding that all the activities along the project corridors, including business and other economic activities, were for improving the human condition.

Listing some of the benefits that would accrue from the project after completion to improve human condition, Fashola said some of them would be the reduction in journey time and cost of travel as well as safety of lives pointing out that an attempt was currently being made to reshape the sharpness of a dangerous curve and reduce the steep slope on the road around Nasarawa-Eggon as a way of reducing accidents in the area.

The Minister said aside the direct jobs generated by the project by way of employment, there are quarrying plants that have come on board as a result of the project and are employing over 100 people while an asphalt plant that has also come into existence is also employing dozens of people.

“These have brought a lot of economic activities around here and along the stretch of this corridor we are employing thousands of people”, he said.

The Minister appealed to the communities to remain peaceful and collaborate with government, especially on the issue of compensation, adding that agitation would only delay the completion of the work.

Noting that the 221 kilometre road runs from the Federal Capital Territory through Nasarawa all the way to Makurdi in Benue State, the Minister explained further, “The Dualization is being undertaken to include a 10-lane expansion of over five kilometres where Abuja joins Nasarawa around Mararaba area”.

Responding to a question on the perceived delay in the project execution, the Minister, who said the contractors are working in Sections, explained further, “There are places where we still need to relocate, to resettle people, we still need to deal with the issues of compensation”, adding that the government was currently working with the governments of Benue and Nasarawa States to ensure that those who would get compensated are the real beneficiaries and not middlemen.

Fashola, who also noted that the road is being expanded, explained, “As you know, we are dualizing, so where one bridge existed before, we now have to build another bridge”, adding that at the end of the Rainy Season the contractors would come back and do the earthwork.

On the Lafia-Shendam Road, Fashola, who noted that the road needed attention even before the Buhari administration came to power, said some rehabilitation work would be done on the road in response to the State governor’s appeal.

“But we cannot do everything at once. If you understand, we have talked about the Loko-Oweto Bridge, we have talked about the Shendam Bridge and there are so many other repair works we are doing. So as these things come, we take them one at a time”, he said.

At the National Housing Programme in Lafia, Fashola, who was joined by the State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, explained that the programme was being undertaken in Phases in 34 states of the country. He added, “We are now in some states at Phase 3; in many other states we are in Phase 2, and that is why you see some completed and some uncompleted houses here”.

According to the Minister, the programme “is driving other unseen businesses in the SMES those who make and supply all the materials, nails, binding wires, wire boards and lubricants and there are people who provide nourishment at the sites”, he said.

“It is a big value chain of opportunities, so if you see the economy heading towards growth, it shows clearly that the President’s strategy on infrastructure as a driver of growth is working. What is needed now is just to deepen that which we already have. So if somebody comes to tell you that infrastructure does not drive growth tell him that he is talking of home economics, he does not know public financing”, the Minister said.

Fashola, who also visited the Federal Secretariat Complex under construction in Lafia told newsmen that after the creation of the State some 25 years ago there was need to properly accommodate Federal Government workers serving in the State pointing out that the burden of accommodating the workers had put pressure on the facilities belonging to the State.

“When we talk of workers’ welfare, it is not just their salaries and emoluments; it also includes their work environment. This is the place where workers spend the longest part of their days, in fact the longest part of their life and it is very important to make that environment conducive”, Fashola said.

He added that the President has also committed to completing the secretariat projects currently being undertaking across the country “to demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to workers’ welfare and that will translate to enhanced productivity”.

Also speaking at the Secretariat Complex site the State Governor, Engr. Sule expressed deep appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister for the number of infrastructure projects going on in the State including the new Secretariat.

Earlier during the courtesy visit to his office, the Governor, who commended Fashola’s inspiring achievements as Governor of Lagos State and now as Minister, declared, “I have nothing else to say than to thank you, thank Mr. President for all the support Nasarawa State has continued to receive. You have mentioned clearly the Nasarawa-Loko-Oweto Bridge that you have completed and even the over N30 Billion that you have just recently approved at FEC in order for us to get that project completed for the 74 kilometre Road.”

Fashola was accompanied on the one day working tour by top Ministry officials including Directors, the Controllers of Works and Housing in the State as well as Special Advisers. 

Sep

10

2021

NIESV Agrees with Fashola on Need for Accurate Data Bank for Housing

The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) Thursday in Abuja corroborated the assertion of the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr.  Babatunde Fashola, SAN that Nigeria does not have a 17million housing deficit.

President of NIESV, ESV Emmanuel Okas Wike, who corroborated the long-held standpoint when the Institution paid a courtesy visit to the Minister, said the body was in full agreement with the Minister on the fact that the figure which had been bandied in the country for a long time had no scientific proof.

The NIESV President in his opening remarks at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Mabushi, told the Minister, “We are in total agreement with you on the unreliability of the 17million housing deficit being brandished in Nigeria for lacking scientific proof. We are using this opportunity to reaffirm the importance of data bank and our commitment to the provision of property data bank for all state capitals and major cities in Nigeria.’’

He disclosed that plans were ongoing to carry out enumeration of wasting and abandoned properties across the state capitals, most of which, according to him, belongs to government at various levels, adding that the Institute would then make recommendations on what could be done with them.

In his remarks, Fashola said, ‘there is more demand in housing due to people that move from rural areas to urban centres to squat in the city, and when demand exceeds supply there will be scarcity adding that the solution lay in having accurate data of empty houses in the cities.
The Minister, who expressed delight that the endorsement by NIESV on the non-existence of the 17 million housing deficit in Nigeria put an authoritative seal on the controversy, charged the Institute to come up with accurate data on the housing issue adding that such a data would help towards solving the housing problem.

While commenting on the Land Use Act, the Minister said, “The law is not the problem, it is not enough to say repeal the law, the communities fighting over land resulted in enacting the Land Use Act. Every section of the Land Use Act has been interpreted by the Supreme Court. Administration of the law is the problem rather than the law itself.”

Jul

09

2021

Fashola Inaugurates FHA Board

* Urges them to situate their contributions around FG’s policy thrust of providing affordable houses

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN Thursday inaugurated the Board of Directors of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and urged them to situate their contributions around the Federal Government’s policy thrust of providing affordable houses for Nigerians.

Inaugurating the Board members in Abuja, Fashola said that what the board has Brought to the fore was the diversity of its composition. He said: “It speaks vehemently to the diversity of our country.  The six geo-political zones of the country are well represented. It shows that every zone is represented.”

He added that gender equality was also considered in the recommendation for the appointment of the Board members, pointing out that it would bring about more robust policies from the Board for the good of the entire country.

Speaking on the composition of the Board, he said that it was composed of prolific politicians, strong media representatives, strong grassroots mobilizers, legal practitioners and a strong presence of professionals and experts in the real estate industry who had actually built houses.

“With this composition, it looks to me a very exciting time for the Federal Housing Authority and I hope the Chairman and the members will do their best,” he said.

Speaking on a broader perspective on the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), Fashola stated that part of it was to use infrastructure as a way of building and expanding Nigeria’s economy adding that provision of affordable houses was part of it.

“Also some of the things the Plan set out to do is to build a global competitive economy and infrastructure is one of the ways to do so,” he said. 

While appreciating the contributions of the former members of the Board who had served the nation judiciously for three years, he called on the newly constituted board members to help in restoring the glory and value of Federal Housing Authority old estates like the FESTAC Town and Gwarinpa estates.

The members of the newly inaugurated Board are: Senator Lawal Shuabu as Chairman from Zamfara State, Babaginda Hussaini, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing from Jigawa, Modestus Umenzekwe from Anambra, Mumini I. Hanafi from Kwara, Adamu Maina Dadi fromYobe, Engr. Adamu Ismaila from Adamawa and Barrister Zubairu S.N from Nasarawa as members. Other members include, Chinyere Anokwuru from Abia, Yinka Ogunsulire from Ondo, Veronica N. Shinnaan from Plateau, Aleruchi Cookey-Gam from Rivers and Olajumoke Akinwunmi from Ogun State.

The new members have three years tenure to serve.

Responding, the Chairman of the newly constituted Board who pledged the best of service from the board members, said that with the composition of the board they were going to move Federal Housing Authority forward with good policies. “I want to assure you that with the kind of composition the board has now, we are going to move Federal Housing Authority forward because we have the best and what it takes to make good policies,” he said.

He further said that the board was made up of Legal minds, professionals and experts in the housing sector saying that: “The board inaugurated today is a machine that can move Federal Housing Authority in the direction of the Federal Government policy on affordable and decent houses for Nigerians,” he said.

While he thanked the Minister for counting them worthy of recommendation, he commended Mr. President for the prompt approval of the recommendation.

The event was attended by the Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, FNSE, the Chairman House Committee on Housing and Habitat, Honourable Mustapha Dawaki, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Federal Housing Authority, Senator Gbenga Ashafa and officials of the Ministry, Federal Housing Authority and Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

Jun

25

2021

FG SEEKS COLLABORATION WITH ESTATE SURVEYORS TO BOOST REAL ESTATE SECTOR

The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, (GCON), has called on the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIES) to consider ways to partner with government at all levels to optimize benefits in the real estate sector for the benefit of the nation.

Represented by the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu (FNSE), the Vice President, made the call while delivering his key note address at the 51^st Golden Jubilee, Annual Conference of the Institute which took place at the International Conference Centre Abuja on Thursday June 24, 2021.

Osinbanjo listed potential areas of partnership to include: the Buhari led administration’s vision to take 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years since government is looking up to investment in infrastructure as a tool to realizing this vision.

He mentioned the National Social Housing Programme which is a component of the national post –COVID Economic Sustainability Plan as another area of partnership. The Vice President explained that the plan was created to accelerate on-going efforts by the government to improve access to social housing. He added that government intended to stimulate local production by engaging small and medium sized construction firms to produce construction inputs such as tiles, nails, doors, windows and paint as well as building affordable houses across the country.

Professor Osinbanjo who disclosed that the Nigerian Mortgage Refinancing Company (NMRC) was created to develop the secondary market to refinance mortgages asked NIESV to undertake advocacy with stakeholders both in the public and private sector to promote legislation that will provide support for the company.

The Vice President enumerated the achievements of this administration in infrastructure development to include: the commencement of the 156Km Lagos –Ibadan rail service, completion and commissioning of 327 km Itakpe – Warri Standard Gauge Rail after 33 years of abandonment by previous administrations, construction of Kano -Maradi railway, commencement of work on Port-Harcourt Maiduguri railway lines, on-going negotiation on the Ibadan – Kano Standard Gauge Rail projects and the Abuja Light Rail project which was completed in 2018.

On roads, he said the government created the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), investing over a billion dollars in three flagship projects: the Lagos Ibadan expressway, Second Niger Bridge and the Abuja –Kaduna roads.

In his speech, the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing who was represented on the occasion by the Director Special Projects Unit of the Ministry, Dr. Aisha Ndayako Mohammed revealed that conscious efforts have been made with respect to accessibility, affordability and security of land tittles.

Fashola disclosed that between July 2018 and May 2021, the Ministry of Works and Housing had processed and issued 4,628 Certificates of Occupancy and 2,230 consents to secondary land transactions, adding that these titles are used by holders to access investible loans to start new businesses or grow existing ones thereby expanding the economy.

Fashola also disclosed that the Ministry is engaging Estate Surveyors and Valuers in implementing the valuation of Federal Government assets for purposes of International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS).

In his welcome address, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Sir Emmanuel Okas Wike said the Institute had positively and progressively impacted the Nigerian Landscape with several achievements and contributions. Sir Wike said the conference would provide opportunities for networking, expansion, deepening of knowledge and professional development.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the Governor of Ondo State Rotimi Akeredolu among others.

Jun

17

2021

Fashola Implores Estate Surveyors to Explore Technology, Innovation in their Profession

Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola, SAN has urged the Estate Surveyors and Valuers in the Country to explore modern technology and innovation in the practice of their profession.

He said " As newly inducted Estate Surveyors and Valuers, I implore you to explore modern technology and innovation in enhancing professionalism and good service delivery in your day to day tasks".

The Minister spoke in Abuja as a special Guest of Honour at the 44th Induction Ceremony of newly registered Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Thursday June 17, 2021.

Fashola was represented by the Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr Abubakar D. Aliyu, FNSE.

The Minister described the induction of the new members to fully practice Estate Surveying and Valuation in the country, as timely, especially this critical time that the infrastructures in Nigeria are undergoing re-engineering and rehabilitation.

" Your responsibilities have now been increased as the thrust of Government is about infrastructures, which requires professionals like you to help drive her interest and safeguard wastage" he said.

Fashola also charged them to look at the potentialities and contributions their Profession can unlock in this dare time that the nation's infrastructures and national assets are experiencing deficit.

While commending the ESV Board for giant stride in uplifting the profession in terms of capacity building, Fashola also noted  the critical role the Board is playing in regulating and controlling the practice of the profession in Nigeria.

He listed: securing the establishment and maintenance of Register of persons qualified to practice the profession and publication of lists of such persons and firms, has greatly enhances professionalism in the practice.

On the same vein, Fashola noted that the Estate Surveyors and Valuers (Registration. etc) Act (CAP. E13 LFN2004 enpowers the Board to provide operation license for institutions that meets specific minimum standards, explaining that, the Board has so far  registered up to 4,000 practitioners, 4,000 firms and accredited about 35 institutions of higher learning.

He charged the BOARD to ensure that the stock of Estate Surveyors and Valuers is increased to meet the needs of the Nation.

On the challenges, Fashola said " the challenges are extremely large especially in the areas of legislation, little recognition by the public, invasion of the industry by unlicensed and unprofessionals amongst others".

Accordingly, he assured that, the Ministry of Works and Housing is doing all it can by creating enabling environment where Estate Surveyors and Valuers can strive and make impact to support the Nigerian economy.

The Minister disclosed that many Estate Surveyors and Valuers have submitted expression of interest to execute the Ministry's valuation works in all Federal Secretariats across the country, which he said is already going through the procurement processes.

He explained that the Ministry is presently desirous with the implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) meant to achieve resource utilization and management of assets for decision making.

Accordingly, Fashola challenged them not to rest on their little achievements but to continue to strive towards loftier goals by making Nigeria a better place for economic growth

May

20

2021

FMW&H Rehabilitates and Engages Facility Managers For 24 FG Secretariats Across the Country – Official

The Director, Department of Federal Public Assets Maintenance (FPAM) in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing Arc. Tina Onokwai, said the Ministry has engaged Facility Managers for the 24 Federal Government Secretariats in the six geo-political zones.

She made this remark while presenting her departmental progress report at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja this week.

The Director explained that each Facility Manager carried out the Janitorial, Security, Horticulture and Minor repair works at the Federal Government Secretariats and a total number of Fifty-Nine (59) Workers, which included Plumbers, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, carpenters, cleaners, Security personnel, gardeners and administrative staff, were engaged by the Facility Managers.

“The 24 Federal Secretariats engaged a total of 1,416 Workers thereby socially and economically impacting the Nigerian Society, and the Gross Domestic Product index (GDP) of the country ‘’ she stated.

She added that the tools and consumables procured for the work of facility management were varied and included detergents, disinfectants, air fresheners brooms, glass wipes, industrial extension cables, scrubbing machines chemical sprayers, lawn mowers, sprinklers and hoses among others while the procurement of these items enabled the creation of wealth even at the grassroots.

According to the Director, the Ministry also carried out the rehabilitation in phases and the rehabilitation works in each Secretariat engaged 5,445 direct labour consisting of contractor and labour, 465 Suppliers and 514 food vendors, while about 6,424 employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled Nigerians, including suppliers and food vendors nationwide were granted.

The Director reiterated   that the rehabilitation and facility management works on the Secretariats   were in line with the National Public Buildings Maintenance Policy that provided a framework and attendant guidelines for the management and maintenance of all Federal Government-owned buildings across the country.

“The vision of the policy is that every government public building asset in the country will be maintained in an efficient and sustainable manner to preserve the value of the asset and achieve the purpose for which it was built” she maintained.

She expressed delight that the Economic empowerment derived from these programmes drives, which according to her, drives the purchasing power of market men and women as they engage in economic activities such as shopping for food stuffs, clothing, undertaking healthcare, paying rent or school fees and so on improved within the period.

”This process positively drives money circulation in the economy from one economic sector to the other and  on the side of the Federal Government, the economic impact is to: Improve the Asset value and preservation of Public Buildings,’’  She said , adding that aside ensuring better returns on investment , the process  optimizes the asset utilization and Promotes efficiency of operations especially among the staff thereby supporting the growth of a Maintenance Economy.

Apr

30

2021

FG Urges Private Developers To Ease off Housing Affordability to Nigerians Under COVID-19

The Federal Government has urged private developers and individuals who build houses for commercial gains to ease off the cost which they control to enable Nigerians afford housing under this Covid 19 era.

Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN represented by the Minister of States for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, FNSE made the remark at the 9th Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development Meeting held in Jos, Plateau State.

"My recommendation for improving access and affordability to housing in the Covid-19 era is for private companies and individuals to give back some of what they control to citizens in the way the Federal Government has given back to citizens some of what it controls," he said.

He explained, for example in cases where rent of businesses or individuals are due for renewal, the private landlords can give back, by accepting monthly, quarterly or half- yearly rent instead of one year, two or three years rent in advance.

Fashola noted that the Federal and state governments have limited parts to play in the area of provision of affordable housing to Nigerians because houses for sale and rent are mostly built by individuals and private companies compared to that of the federal government.

The Minister enjoined Council to recommend, as part of its communique, a legislation that limits payment of rent in advance and add sanctions for violation.

He said "It is therefore my candid recommendation to this Council to consider intervention by way of recommending a legislation that limits advance payment for renting an accommodation."

In addition, Fashola told Council to consider Cooperative housing as part of their discourse and recommendations for affordability and accessibility to housing in the country.

He commended Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) for driving the Cooperative housing initiative at the federal government level, adding that it is advantageous because cooperative members can choose what they design and build to fit their budgets and they can leverage their members to get group discount for purchases of building materials as well as engagement of contractors.

In his remarks, the Governor of Plateau State, Rt Hon. Simon Bako Lalong told the participants to come up with tangible solutions to tackle the challenges of land titling affecting affordable and accessible housing in the country.

He said the absence of Geographical Information System (GIS) is another major challenge impeding affordable housing in the country and encouraged states to embark on it, noting that GIS makes documentation, verification and transfer of land titles easy.

The Governor assured the Council that rhe Government of Plateau State would Implement all notable recommendations that would be churned out of the meeting.

Among those in attendance were some members of the National and Plateau State Houses of Assembly, Managing Director of Federal Mortgage Bank, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, the Surveyor -General of the Federation, Surv. Samuel Adediran Taiwo and representatives of professional and regulatory bodies in the built industry.

Apr

28

2021

We Implement Various Policies to make Housing Affordable for Nigerians - FG

The Federal Government has stated that several unique programmes and policies are already being implemented in a  bid to make housing affordable and accessible in the country.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Babangida Hussain, disclosed this in his opening remarks at the ongoing 9th National Council on Land, Housing and Urban Development Meeting, holding in Jos, Plateau State.

"The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing is implementing programmes and policies that are aimed at providing affordable and accessible housing to the citizens," he said.

Some of the programmes, according to him, were:  "collaboration with the private sectors on the provision of affordable and quality housing in the country through the Site and Services Scheme, improved Land Administration and Management, National Housing Programme which is in the second phase, the development of the Nigeria National Building Code and Energy Efficiency Code.".

Hussaini also explained that the Federal Government had been conscious of its responsibilities, and as such came up with relevant policy measures that would lead to socio-economic wellbeing of the people.

He described the theme of the meeting “Housing Delivery in the Covid-19 era and beyond: The Strategies for Affordability and Accessibility" as apt as it would provide opportunity for an extensive discourse by the stakeholders on how to achieve accessibility to and affordability of housing in the country.

In his contribution, the Executive Secretary Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board, Alhaji Ibrahim Mairiga, stated that for the Government to increase access to affordable housing among public servants, it should adjust and harmonize the salaries of core civil servant to improve their capacity to take higher loans that could deliver houses to them.

Alhaji Mairiga made this submission in a paper titled "Housing the Workers: Increasing Access to Affordable Housing for Housing for Public Servants" presented on his behalf by Mr Akinwande Adegbola, the Board's Head of Public Relations.

He also suggested other measures to include: provision of special Federal government grants and outright subsidy towards home ownership and adequate funding of the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB) to enable it provide loans to any civil servant who desires to own a house.

Similarly, the Executive Secretary also listed the activation of the inter-ministerial Committee on Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) Program to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders to take off the cost of provision of needed infrastructures like roads, drainages and power.

He further mentioned that the board’s initiatives for increased access and affordable housing included introduction of starter loan scheme which aimed at providing housing loans of between six to eight million Naira for officers on grade level 08 -10 to enable them purchase completed houses, online application and automated loan process to achieve transparency, accountability and inclusion of Federal staff in state and field officers.

Mairiga disclosed that the board was proposing a new enhancement loan for all cadres in the service, adding that this type of loan would encourage workers to own their own homes early in their career service.

In furtherance of this, he said the board had been in partnership with Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH), Family Homes Funds (FHF), indigenous estate developers to ensure it achieves its much -desired result of providing affordable and accessible housing to Federal Public Servants.

Apr

27

2021

9th Meeting of National Council on Housing Opens in Jos

The ninth (9th) meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development has commenced in Jos, Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, Monday, April 26, 2021.

The four-day meeting has the theme, "Housing Delivery in the Covid -19 Era and Beyond: The Strategies for Affordability and Accessibility."

The meeting which is taking place at Kwararafa Multipurpose Hall, Elim-Top Suites Limited, Gulf Course, Mai-Adiko, Rayfield in Jos City, Plateau State Capital is an annual meeting of stakeholders in the built industry being organized by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, whose mandate among others is provision of affordable housing for Nigerians.

Participants at the meeting include: State Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries for lands, housing and urban development, General Managers of housing corporations, Surveyor -Generals, professional/regulatory agencies in the housing sector and other stakeholders in the built industry.

In an introductory remark, the Director Planning, Research & Statistics, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Olajide Ode-Martins disclosed that the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development is an annual event and the highest policy making organ of the Housing Sector which affords stakeholders in the sector an avenue to deliberate on issues concerning the growth of the sector.

In a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Plateau State Ministry of Housing, Engr. Alfred Datoel, noted that Land, Housing and Urban Development were the life wire of all towns and cities of the world.

He said "Land, Housing and Urban Development are the life wire of all towns and cities of the world. We know that no land, no house, no comfort and security of life no urban development no beauty of towns and cities."

Noting the importance of developing slums to towns and cities and their proper management, Engr. Datoel urged all the participants to come up with policies for implementation by practitioners in the public and private spheres of lives with a view to improving the standard of lives of the average Nigerian.

He added that new ideas and policies generated from the meeting would combat the challenges of increasing slums within towns and cities across Nigeria.

He further appealed to government to implement very important resolutions which could have good bearing on improving the quality of life.

Feb

15

2021

Yobe to Remain APC State - Minister

Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engineer Abubakar Aliyu, has said that the ongoing All Progressive Congress (APC) Party revalidation exercise would boost the party's chance of winning election both at National, State as well as Local Government levels.

The Minister stated this in Potiskum over the weekend after he revalidated his APC membership. He said that the exercise was a great opportunity for new members to join the great party which he described as a moving ship. 

He called on all party stakeholders in the state to come out enmass not only to revalidate their membership, but also to campaign for the great party in the forth coming elections. 

"Our Party is a moving ship, the Captain of the ship is President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR and the Executive Governor of our great State is the National Party Chairman, so I see no reason why the state will not remain APC State," he said. 

Speaking further, Abubabar said that it was pay back time for the state as the President had delivered on his campaign promises to Yobe State with the massive road projects that were ongoing and these projects had reached appreciable level of completion. "So do not only register, register and campaign for others to join the party".

Engr Aliyu also charged existing members of the party to be good ambassador of the Party by being of good character and show love to others as this would encourage other people to join the great party APC.

Present at the validation exercise were critical stakeholders of APC in the State. The State Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Adami Abdul Chilariye and Chairman of APC (Potiskum), Bala Miss. 

Also in attendance were, the Ward Chairman, Alhaji Iselu Tela, the Deputy Speaker of Yobe State House of Assembly, Honourable Anwalu Isa Bello and other stakeholders. 
 

Oct

10

2020

Housing Development: A Tool for Poverty Alleviation- Osinbajo

The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has identified housing development as a veritable tool to eradicate poverty among Nigerians.

This was revealed by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo who was represented by the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, FNSE while declaring open this year’s National House Fair 4.0 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Acknowledging the aptness of this year’s theme, “Gateway to better life: Affordable housing solutions,” to Nigeria’s housing journey, the Vice President disclosed, “President Muhammadu Buhari is determined to uplift 100 million Nigerians from poverty in the next 10 years and housing has been identified as a major tool for its realization due to its multiplier effect.”

Prof. Osinbanjo noted that in line with the Federal Government Sustainability Plan, the Central Bank of Nigeria has approved the sum of N200 billion for 300,000 households to enable Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL) finance the construction of social housing units for low-income earners.

In addition, he disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing had unveiled a programme titled “Affordable Housing Development and Management Initiative" (AHDMI).  According to the Vice President the programme was designed for the purpose of reducing the housing deficit through collaboration with public and private   entities by creating a robust housing management of public buildings, hostel accommodation, redeployment of unoccupied houses for either rental or rent –to- own initiative, urban renewal/regeneration and community upgrading.

Prof. Osinbanjo further revealed the pilot project of the Affordable Housing Development and Management Initiative (AHDMI) would commence in October, 2020 in Gwagwalada with the construction of 2500 mixed housing units under the Public- Private Partnership (involving Family Housing Funds Limited, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and private developers.

Reminding the States and Local Governments that they are the custodians of Land in the country due to the Land Use Act, he appealed to state governments to reduce the bottlenecks associated with the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (C-of – O) and quicken same because government has identified it as a tool for stimulating the economy.

In his words, “As a Government, we have identified “Land Titling” as a rapid tool for economic development as it creates basis for land taxation, access to credit, increased market value and investment stimulation amongst others. I therefore wish to appeal to the State Governments to ease-up and quicken the process of the issuance of Certificate –of –Occupancy (C-of O) and other title documents as this is a sure way of stimulating economic activities and improve the lives of the citizenry and lift them out of poverty."

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, in his remarks called on the Federal Government to make policies that would enhance the provision of affordable housing for Nigerians, noting that national development could only be possible when basic needs are given to humanity.

Oba Ogunwusi enjoined traditional rulers in the country to work very closely with   government and the private sector in the development and provision of affordable housing for the citizenry, adding that by their status they are natural custodians of land and therefore relevant in the development of their communities through the provision of affordable housing for their citizens.

The event was organised by Bstan Group. It is a group of companies headed by Engr. Becky Olubukola. Bstan group has various departments of housing development which includes: construction, mortgage and cooperatives as w
ell as homes and properties. The House Fair has become a yearly event since 2017.

Apr

03

2020

Disclaimer: Honorable Minister Of State For Works And Housing Has No Facebook Account

The attention of the office of the Honorable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu, FNSE, has been drawn to some fake Facebook accounts opened in his name, soliciting money from the members of the public to offer them jobs or contracts.

We want to use this opportunity to inform the general public that this is a huge scam. The Honorable Minister of State for Works and Housing doesn’t operate or own a single Facebook account. All Facebook accounts operating in his name are simply fake.

This is just another dubious act by some undesirable elements to use the good name and reputation of the Honorable Minister of State for Works and Housing to defraud some unsuspecting hardworking Nigerians. This must not be allowed to continue.

We want to categorically state here that the Honorable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr Abubakar D. Aliyu, FNSE, has not authorized anyone at anytime to solicit or request for money or any other information from anyone using the social media with the aim of securing contracts or jobs placement.

We have learned that the scammers are using the Messenger Chat App of the fake Facebook accounts to communicate and subsequently dupe their victims. The general public should note that this is fraud and couldn’t have emanated from the office of the Honorable Minister of State for Works and Housing.

Appropriate security agencies are already working to unmask the scammers with a view to make them face the full wrath of the law.

The Honorable Minister of State for Works and Housing wishes to urge the general public to refrain from engaging with these scammers. And anyone who engages with them does so at their own peril.