Feb

19

2020

Text Delivered By H.E, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At The Commissioning Of Woodhill Estate Under Akacare Cooperatives, And Flag-Off Of Cooperative Housing Development, Kuje, FCT, Abuja

Welcome one and all to the commissioning of Woodhill Estate of AKACARE Cooperative Housing Scheme and the flag-off of our cooperative housing initiative, one of the series that will happen in each of the six (6) geo-political zones of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.

One of the NEXT LEVEL commitments of the Federal Government of Nigeria as declared by President Buhari at the ministerial retreat held in September 2019, is to deepen access of Nigerians to affordable housing and consumer credit.

This is a mandate item of the housing sector of the Ministry of Works and Housing; as the policymaking arm of government, and we have assigned the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) a parastatal of the Ministry of Works and Housing, the implementation responsibility for executing our policy of PARTNERSHIPS with cooperatives.

For those who may wonder, why cooperatives? The answer is simple.

By definition, co-operatives are "an autonomous association of persons united VOLUNTARILY to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned enterprise.”

The key word in that definition is the "voluntary" nature of cooperatives, and this is critical in the formulation of our policy of partnerships with cooperatives as a means of overcoming the problems of "Acceptability" and affordability that stand in the way of access to housing.

This is important because our experiences, our investigations and our observations reveal starkly that there are hundreds of thousands of empty and unoccupied houses in major cities across Nigeria.

They are empty and unoccupied because they are either over-built, in being too big, or under-built in being too small and therefore not acceptable to those who need them, because in many instances no consultation took place between the builders and the consumers they built for.

This is why we are undertaking a pilot scheme based on our studies to build in 34 states who provided land, what the people we consulted said they will find acceptable.

Because of the lack of consultation and acceptability problem, the problem of affordability creeps in.

Our policy development team finds the voluntary nature of cooperatives very useful because members will be expected to design and build according to their needs and their income, as they find affordable.

Co-operatives have traditionally proved to be successful in areas like transportation, agriculture, trade and commerce, market associations and amongst large groups in the informal sector.

It is these large members of the informal sector that we seek to reach, scale up constructions of houses and the multiplier effects on the economy for cottage industries who make building materials like paint, doors, roofing materials, nails, and electrical fittings to mention a few.

The scale of construction by voluntary associations is expected to ramp up employment and income for artisans who will build houses. This will be our contribution to President Buhari’s commitment to raise a hundred million out of poverty in a decade.

As in other sectors, when cooperatives have been successful, we can point to modest successes of partnerships by FMBN with some cooperatives in the formal sector that currently has 52 housing projects under construction to deliver 4,624 units in 2020.

It is this number, that the policy we flag-off today seeks to multiply in many fold by unleashing the power of cooperatives and empower their voluntary will to act together in pursuit of the common desire to access housing and credit.

In order to be eligible, cooperatives must be registered, they must acquire their own land, get title to it, seek and obtain a building permit from the governments of the respective states where their land is located.

This last requirement is instructive because it seeks to eliminate incidents of unapproved buildings and slums which governments later seek to demolish.

All the state government agencies in charge of land have been duly briefed at the National Council launch meeting held in Abuja on November 7th 2019.

The Mandate and the role of the FMBN is to then provide construction funding to the cooperatives to build the houses, and to provide mortgage finance to the individual members to buy the house and pay back in instalments at a rate not exceeding 10% per annum.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the sum and substance of the policy and partnerships that bring us to Kuje, in the FCT today because AKACARE cooperative has embraced this NEXT LEVEL initiative to deepen access to housing and consumer credit.

It is therefore my honour and pleasure to flag off this cooperative partnership in the hope that it will quickly spread to other states in this Geo political zone.

As every cooperative chooses what it desires and can afford, the FMBN, representing the Federal Government of Nigeria will be your partner, providing financial support to enable you to act voluntarily to choose and build what you accept and your income can afford.

On behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government of Nigeria, I commission this Housing Estate and flag off this co-operative development away from poverty and towards common prosperity.

Thank You.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Works and Housing

Jan

18

2020

Minister Urges Stakeholders To Find Innovative Ways To Re-Position The Housing Sector

The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu , FNSE, has urged stakeholders to find more innovative ways of re-positioning the housing and urban development sector  for the overall benefit of the Nigerian citizens.

He made the remark  while delivering his keynote address at the one- day sensitization forum on Lands, Housing and Urban Development Multilateral Programmes of Collaboration with the theme “Achieving National Housing and Urban Development Goals: Opportunities for Partnership and Collaboration’ in Abuja.

Engr. Aliyu said that the rapid urbanisation  all over the world with its attendant severe social, cultural, economic and environmental impacts  has made it  mandatory to scale up actions as well as leverage on technical expertise and support from development partners to address the process.

According to him, the Federal Government has accomplishedthrough support from Development Partners, the implementation of Nigerian States Urban Development Project (NSUP) as far back as1977 in Bauchi and Lagos; followed by the Imo Urban Development Project (IUDP). Both focused on developing sites and services programme for low income residential development.

Other accomplishments he mentioned were the Infrastructure Development Fund Programme (IDF) implemented in 1985-2001to address long term financing for urban infrastructure in 11states of the Federation – Adamawa, Anambra, Benue, Borno, Ondo, Enugu, Yobe, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba and Ondo.

Aliyu added that that programme later ledto the Community Based Urban Development Project (CBUP) launched in 2003 to 2011 with the provision of funds to support the urban basic services provision and infrastructure upgrading projects in 8 states:AkwaIbom, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Edo, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Ogun and Ondo.

In other partnership efforts, the UN-Habitat, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Shelter Afrique have further impacted positively on the county’s housing sector, the minister said.

The minister urged all stakeholders and intending stakeholders attending the 10th World Urban Forum (WUF10) to harness the diverse opportunities it presents in order to attract new technologies and innovations, capacity building and funding supports to effectively address our urban challenges especially in the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the Urban SDGs.

Speaking earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Mohammed Bukar disclosed that the Interactive Session was convened to furnish stakeholders with insights on how to advance housing and human settlements development through the operations, mechanisms, tools and opportunities for collaboration with Multilateral Partners.

Mr.Bukar said the interactive forum would ensure a coordinated, effective and harmonised participation of delegates to the Tenth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF10) scheduled to hold in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 8th to 13th February, 2020 and produce ways of repositioning the housing and urban development sector for the benefit of every citizen of Nigeria.

Andrew Chimphonda, Managing Director, Shelter Afrique, in his presentation, “Housing Development and Financing Options noted that Nigeria has an annual housing deficit of 22million. When this figure was queried by the Permanent Secretary, he promised to validate the figure and get back to the Ministry.

Also, Ishaku Maitumbi, Human Settlement Advisor, a representative from United Nations Settlements Programme (UN-HABITA), in his  a presentation titled “ Partnership and Technical Cooperation for Sustainable Urbanisation,” identified collaboration and partnership as key elements to achieving sustainable housing development in Nigeria.

Stakeholders in the built industry from the federal, State governments, the private sector, higher institutions, development partners and the media attended the one-day sensitization forum.

Nov

29

2019

Senate Moves To Ensure Provision Of Affordable Housing For Poor Nigerians

The Senate on Thursday mandated its Committee on Housing to urgently work out modalities with the various stakeholders in the National Housing Development sector to ensure the implementation of affordable housing for the poorest Nigerians.

The resolution was reached after consideration of a motion on the “Urgent need to reform the Housing Policy and Mortgage Financing in Nigeria to meet the escalating housing demand in the country.”

Sponsor of the motion, Albert Bassey Akpan, said low and middle class income earners constitute the largest active population in Nigeria.

This population, according to him, finds it difficult to have access to housing in their lifetime.

He recalled that the creation of the National Housing Fund through the National Housing Fund (NHF) Act of 1992 was specifically intended to cater for Nigerians in line with the various Housing policies and International Conventions and Treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.

Akpan stated that by virtue of the provisions of the NHF Act, a working class Nigerian is required to contribute 2.5 percent of his or her monthly salary to the fund which provides the source of funding to the Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs).

He said, “Access to the fund through the PMI is cumbersome due to stringent and complex eligibility criteria which makes the development of housing through the fund challenging or practically impossible to date.”

“Since the creation of the fund in 1992, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria as at 2013 disbursed only N100.5 billion.

“In 2015, out of 4 million registered contributors to the fund, only 60,000 (1.5%) were able to access mortgage loans through the funds, leading to the construction of only 40,653 houses across the country,” Akpan said.

The lawmaker further lamented that there exist little or no impact of the National Social Housing Development Programme in the country over the years owing to the escalating population growth in Nigeria.

“There is dire and urgent need for a total review of our National Housing Policy framework to meet the needs of our people, especially the poorest Nigerians in line with the various International Conventions/Treaties of which Nigeria is a signatory,” Bassey said.

In his contribution, Senator Fadahunsi (PDP, Osun East) called on the Federal Government to undertake an immediate overhaul of the country’s housing policies with a view to easing the burdens of poor Nigerians.

“There is need to reorganise the housing policy, so that it will benefit the whole of Nigerians as soon as possible,” he said.

Another lawmaker, Senator Binos Yaroe Dauda (PDP, Adamawa South) described Housing as “one of the fundamental needs of man.”

The lawmaker, who called for a review of housing policies and mortgage financing, added, “It is important for this sector to be reformed, so that our people can have houses.”

Nov

17

2019

Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Aliyu, 7 Others Honoured by Unimaid Alumni

The Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing , Engr. Abubakar  D. Aliyu and seven other eminent Nigerians were conferred with Outstanding Achievement Award by the University of Maiduguri Alumni Association.

The award was conferred  on him at the Maiden End of Year Dinner and Awards Night of the University held at Africa Hall, International Conference Center, Abuja on Friday, November 15, 2019.

The newly elected Executives of the Alumni Association of the Federal Capital Territory Chapter  was also inaugurated at the award night.

The recognition on Engineer Aliyu was  based on his remarkable achievements in his chosen career and well deserved appointment as the Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Engineer Aliyu was described as a shining inspiration to the Alumni and a personality worthy  of emulation.

Special Guest of Honour at the occasion and the President of the Senate, Senator Ibrahim Ahmad Lawan presented the award on the Honourable Minister.

Senator Lawan who was also among the awardees responded on behalf of other recipients  said,  "University of Maiduguri Alumni Association, we cannot thank you enough, those of us that have been given the awards now have additional responsibility, I want to say  we are not going to abuse our positions, we are not going to allow our opportunity slips through our fingers , we will make sure University of  Maiduguri gets the best deal wherever we find ourselves.’'

The Senate President  also remarked that the 9th Assembly was united on national interest and have  resolved to work for Nigeria.

He stated that the economy of Nigeria must work for Nigerians, adding that the senate would  resolve all matters with the executive in national interest.

Ahmad praised President Muhammadu Buhari for showing  tremendous respect for the National Assembly by ensuring that all ministers came to defend their 2020 budgets in  October 2019.

He disclosed that all ministries, departments and agencies defended their 2020 budget proposals successfully, and that the 2020 budget  would be passed in November 2019, so that January to December budget calendar could be maintained.

The Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadiri Mohammed; Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri;  Governor of Borno  State, Babagana Umara Zulum; Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of State for Agriculture, Mustapha Baba Shehuri and Vice Chancellor University of Maiduguri, Professor Aliyu Shugaba were among the eminent personalities honoured at the event

Nov

07

2019

Address Delivered By H.E Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At The 8th Meeting Of The National Council On Lands, Housing & Urban Development

On behalf of the Minister of State, the Permanent Secretary, Directors, Heads of our various parastatals and staff of the Ministry of Works and Housing, it is my pleasure to welcome you all to this year’s National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development.

For the record and for information basis, it is important to mention that the National Council offers a platform of convergence for representatives of the federal government , for those of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to consider policy, agree programmes, form consensus about how life changing and beneficial policies, programmes and projects can be implemented not only by the federal government alone, but by all state governments and the FCT.

This is important in order to achieve wholesome and widespread delivery, access to as many as possible, and impact on an equitable scale.

While I welcome returning commissioners in some states, I am mindful of the changes that the general elections have brought in some states and therefore the change of personnel that have come with them.

I also therefore welcome very enthusiastically new members of the council and assure them of our commitment to assist them in achieving their developmental objectives for their state.

Let me point out that of all the National Councils that I know, I cannot recall easily any council for which the need for federal government and state government collaboration is so pivotal and defining for success like this Council for Lands, Housing and Urban Development.

This is due to many reasons, not the least of which is the Land Use Act, which vests control of lands in the territory of each state in the governor; and in minister of the Federal capital Territory (FCT) in the case of the FCT.

Added to this is the fact that the Supreme Court has decided since 2003, that urban planning and development control is the sole responsibility of the state governments in their territory, and that of the FCT in Abuja (34 states).

In other words, the use of land, whether for a house, office, market, school, hospital, petrol filling station or any other purpose is a matter solely for the state government.

Nevertheless, Housing is a social, developmental and economic objective of the federal government who cannot own land, unless allocated by the state government, and who cannot build unless urban planning department of states approve the development (Gwagwalada).

It is the foundation for that cooperation that we seek to continuously strengthen at each year’s national council meeting and then follow up with each state on a case by case basis.

The theme for this year’s meeting is  “Housing Development and Consumer Credit as Strategies for National Prosperity”, and it is informed by recent developments in the economy and also by the commitment made by the federal government in its Next Level Agenda.

Permit me to recall that on the 12th June 2019, the President Muhammadu Buhari, in his address at Eagle Square, committed to lifting one hundred million people out of poverty. This is what Mr President said:

“China and Indonesia succeeded under authoritarian regimes. India succeeded in a democratic setting. We can do it. With leadership and a sense of purpose, we can lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.”

Since Mr. President made this progressive, ambitious and forward looking commitment, not a few have agonised about how. Some have divided the number of people by the number of years and wonder how 10 million people will come out of poverty, every year.

To yet another group, they understood it only in terms of employment.

I do not.

I understand it is a combination of employment, access to opportunities, value asset renewal, increase in income for those already employed, access to nutrition, freedom from disease, access to shelter and many more life enhancing opportunities that move people from want and poverty to access and prosperity.

This Council meeting emphasizes the need for the understanding that poor people are indigenes of the 36 states and FCT and it will require more than Mr President alone to achieve the commitment.

The impact of prosperity will be felt in the states and the governors and their commissioners have a role to play and they are already playing it, as I will show.

So too the Legislators at National and state levels.

However, let me point out that after that statement of June 12, which I choose to call the June 12 Charter for Prosperity, Mr President at the Retreat Preceding the inauguration of Ministers on the 21st day of August 2019 identified the following areas of focus for the administration over the term of four years namely:

i.   Agriculture
ii.  Health
iii. Education
iv. Energy (Petroleum products); and
v.  Power
vi. Security
vii. Infrastructure
viii. Housing and Consumer Credit

Although all areas listed have a direct impact on poverty, improvement of quality of life, cost of living and prosperity, the focal areas for the Ministry of Works and Housing are infrastructure, generally for works, and Housing and consumer credit for the Ministry of Housing.

Whenever I visit the sites of the pilot National Housing project being undertaken across the 34 States who provided land, I see an ecosystem of commerce, employment and entrepreneurship.

From the contractor/construction company who wins the bid to the labourers on site who earn N3000 a day, (N18, 000 a week (for six days) and approximately N72,000 a month) ; to the owner of the concrete mixer I met in Oyo state who charges N20,000 a day: to suppliers and vendors of building materials, and employees of companies that manufacture paint, tiles, roofing materials, the federal government, and state government collaboration provided a step up towards the ladder of prosperity.

On each site, there were averagely at least 1000 people employed.

Therefore if we could have more sites per state and all states involved, clearly many more people will get an opportunity to work, to supply, to produce and to earn an income. This is a step on to the ladder of prosperity and a big contribution to the achievement of the June 12 Charter of Prosperity.

This is why we have resolved to use cooperatives as the vehicle to achieve more construction in many states in order to expand the scale of construction, and therefore maximize the scale of opportunities.

The Federal Mortgage Bank, which is our parastatal for providing construction and acquisition finance has been designated as the focal agency to drive this initiative and they will be providing a detailed presentation to the council shortly after my address.

What we see is that cooperatives have been successful in transportation, agriculture, trades and markets and among artisans. We think it can be successful in delivering large scale affordable housing if cooperatives acquire their own land, design what they want to build, get state urban planning approval, and federal government gives them, through the Federal Mortgage Bank, loans to construct and loans to members to buy.

This is our broad vision for enabling access to housing and consumer credit (loans) through construction.

Other policies and programmes are the issuance of backlog of certificates of occupancy and consent to land transactions ( 3,000) and (1,708) respectively.

These instruments strengthen and support access to credit and also contribute to improving value of land by 30%-40% and this asset value appreciation is a contribution towards the prosperity ladder.

Site and Service Schemes: Where Government provides roads and other infrastructure to land, improves the value of land by 30%-40% and this asset value appreciation is a contribution towards prosperity .

Slum Upgrade Projects: also being undertaken through the Urban Development department of the Ministry are other ways by which we  improve quality of life and move people out of poverty. Every completed project not only renews the environment, replaces squalor with service, but it also improves the rental income to house owners and capital value of their property.

While I urge you all to listen attentively to the presentation by Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, the Managing Director of Federal Mortgage Bank when he presents the plan on cooperatives, I urge you all to start thinking about :

Cooperatives and how they can register, own lands, contribute to the National Housing Fund and benefit.

How many cooperatives in your states can qualify and what you can do to help them

How to keep proper data and records of cooperatives and also the number of people employed on each site when work commences

How in your states you can use site and service schemes, prompt issuance of certificate of occupancy and consent to land transaction to drive poverty to the rear and propel people towards prosperity.

I have no doubt in my mind that the vision is achievable and surpassable, the building blocks for achieving it are already in place, and it is for all states and federal government, with the private sector to commit to work on the road to prosperity, through housing delivery, and access to credit on a massive scale.

Thank you for listening and I hope we have very faithful deliberations.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Minister of Works and Housing

Oct

17

2019

FG To Initiate A National Cooperative Housing Scheme For Informal Sector – Fashola
* Minister commends the innovativeness of promoters as he unveils Prefabricated Assembly and Installation Building Facility in Abuja
* Says objective is to use cooperatives as a driving force in the countrys Housing programme
* Pledges governments support for initiatives that promote national housing
* Urges caution over the repetition of a housing deficit figure that is unfounded

The Federal Government plans to initiate a National Cooperative Housing Scheme in the country as a provision to bring the informal Sector into the nation’s Housing Programme, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, has said in Abuja.

Fashola, who spoke at the unveiling of Karmod Nigeria Limited’s Pre-Fabricated Assembly and Installation Building facility in Abuja, said the objective was to use cooperatives as a driving force in the country’s Housing programme adding that their success in markets, in transportation and Agriculture, among other areas of the economy would be an incentive to achieve success in the sector.

The Minister, who said the government would also leverage on the successes and numerical strength of the cooperatives manifested in the many unions and associations they have in every state of the country, added that they would be mobilized under the aegis of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria to obtain loans to develop their own houses according to their tastes and preferences.

Cooperatives which would be eligible to participate in the scheme, the Minister said, would be those “who are properly registered, who have their trustees and leaderships to act for them, who have their own lands and who convey an approval  of the type of house they want so that they won’t be stranded”. 

“We will tell them to get a planned approval for land in which ever state so that it won’t become a slum. We will work with that state’s government to ensure that access roads are built; we will give them development loans to give Real Estate developers so that you build for yourself and contribute the counterpart fund to finish. In this way we will achieve the scheme”, he said.

Fashola said the Next Level Agenda of the present administration encompasses policies and programmes that are people oriented and are meant to consolidate and sustain the achievements made in the last four years in all sectors of the economy adding that policies like the Eligible Customer and the Off-Grid initiative have enabled private businesses to source their own power either directly from generation companies or independent of the national grid as done by Messrs Karmod Nigeria Limited.

“If you follow the trajectory of government plans, Housing and Consumer Credit, this is one of the major objectives of this government in its Next Level Agenda; Agro development, food production, processing, manufacturing and transport infrastructure – Roads, Rail, Airports and Seaports, Education and Healthcare. These are the major focal areas of this government”, the Minister said.

He commended the Chairman of the Company, Mr. Hakeem Shagaya, for investing in Housing saying in so far as it seeks to boost housing development in the country, the investment “sits appropriately within the focal area of the government which is Housing and Consumer Credit”.

“In the past, government has made policies that support direct access for small , medium and large agencies to take their own power directly from generating companies under the policy of Eligible Customer”, he said adding that the decision by the company to adopt Off-Grid supply was also a major policy shift of the Buhari Administration in the last three years; “promoting direct and independent power development so that business clusters can come together, develop their own grid, share it subject to licensing by the regulator; and so also can market clusters”.

Also congratulating the Chairman of Karmod International, Mr. Mesut Cankaya from Turkey “for bringing the investment to Nigeria”, Fashola, who told him that as government, from local, state and federal government, “Nigeria is  ready to do business”, assure him of government’s support, not only at the Federal level but also at the municipal level “to enable you plant your foot and expand your business”.

Describing the investment in pre-fabrication method of building houses as “an innovation into Housing development”, which, according to him, “proposes an alternative method of building houses”, Fashola said the innovation was welcome; adding , “innovation is the driver of growth; it is the driver of prosperity and we are ready to partner with you”.

The Minister, however, tasked the Chairman and his team to engage in aggressive marketing “to persuade the end users to change what has become an acquired taste” adding that this would be expedient because taste and preferences in the choice of houses differ from country to country, from community to community and even from culture to culture.

“In some countries you see people building with timber; in other places they prefer burnt brick and in some other places they have adopted container type buildings. In all of this and at the end of the day no one can successfully prescribe that this is the method of Housing that people must all adopt”, he said adding that the transformation or acceptability was often slow and informed by culture, experience and other social indices.

He recalled some places where government had suddenly tried to move people from mud houses and the project had been developed but with no consultation and preparation adding that the people chose to ignore those houses and refused to move. He told the Chief Executive, “So it is now where the product can meet the market and that will be the challenge to you and your team how to make this an acceptable method of building”.

The Minister noted, however, that with the growing population of young people who, according to him, “are ready to go and who do not require too much space to operate in”, it would not be too burdensome to find a market for the type of building, adding that the young people would more readily accept such innovation than the older generation.

“We must accept that we have a growing large population of young people. We will also accept that we cannot live the same way. Their needs have changed, they do not need too much space. Their world is reduced to their laptops. They want to get up and go”, he said adding that all of the planning in infrastructure development must take cognizance of the need of the young generation.

Fashola promised that if the company could find ready market, government was positioned to respond. He declared, “But whatever you do, if the rubber (product) meets the road (market )and you close the deal, again, apart from infrastructure, government is positioned to respond”.

“We have the Federal Mortgage Bank that is managing the Housing Fund. The director is here; and every month they disburse a substantial amount of money from contributions made by contributors to help people access housing, to help people develop estates”, he said adding that it would be in the common interest of every Nigerian to open an account with the Federal Mortgage Bank because, according to him, “once we do, we will very likely benefit from it”.

Dismissing the much touted 17 million as Nigeria’s housing deficit, Fashola, who said he had investigated all the quoted sources of that figure, including the World Bank, declared, “Where did the 17 million figure come from”, adding that according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistic survey, the actual figure of Nigeria’s households stand between 35 and 40 million households nationwide.

“Let us assume that one family lives in one house and you are saying that 17 million is the deficit; that means that more than half of Nigeria’s population is homeless. Is it a reality?”, he said adding that there was need to think through the issue and plan with the correct numbers so as to get the market right while the investment would also be sustainable and could deliver from the profit returns.

Maintaining that the 17 million housing deficit was unfounded, Fashola disclosed that the Ministry of Works and Housing has set up a team, and is hiring research companies to go round major urban centres to do an audit as a sample of how many houses have been virtually unoccupied for six months and above. “That will tell us whether we should be producing more or change strategy”, he said.

During a short interaction with newsmen after inspecting the Karmod Prefabrication facility, Fashola, who reiterated that it was an innovation in the Built Industry, declared, “It is innovation by young people; it’s  innovation that brings investment into Nigeria, it is innovation that brings business and progress. And, therefore, government recommends it as part of its business expansion along with the  economic opportunities that it brings”.

“So it sits very well with one of the key objectives of the government in terms of housing development and consumer credit. Every house creates a demand for finance. And potentially every mortgage being signed deepens our access to credit for people”, the Minister said.

Noting that the framework of the prefabricated building he just commissioned within the company’s premises was made from 12 shipping containers and finished with cement boards and other materials, the Minister reiterated that if the product found acceptability and the company was able to roll it out, government would give support through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

“To my right here is one of the directors of the Federal Mortgage Bank who is saying that if they find buyers who are ready to off-take  and there is a market and those buyers are willing to bank with the FMBN that will elicit for them an opportunity to get  mortgage finance credit”, he said, adding, “So, we are, in a sense as government, with policies and programmes, taking demand to the market and enabling entrepreneurship flourish”.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Mr. Hakeem Shagaya, said the company was established five years ago in partnership with a Turkish company with the objective of helping to bridge the nation’s housing deficit  which he put at about 17 million adding that in order to address the problem the company has adopted the simple philosophy of fast production, fast execution and fast assembly.

Also present at the occasion which took place at the company’s premises at Plot 3075, along Kubwa Expressway, included Chairman, Karmod International, Mr. Mesut Cankaya and renowned entrepreneur Alhaja Bola Shagaya, among other Stakeholders in the Built Industry as well as top officials from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

Sep

18

2019

Fashola Commends UN-Habitat’s Commitment in Addressing Global Challenges of Urbanisation

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola has commended the United Nations Human Settlements Programmes (UN-Habitat) for its commitment towards addressing the global challenges of urbanization.

Fashola spoke today in his office while receiving a delegation of the UN-Habitat Mission who paid him a courtesy visit to brief him on the outcomes of the validation workshop on the evaluation of the memorandum of understanding between the Federal Government of Nigeria and UN-Habitat which was held in Abuja.

The Minister who requested the UN body to supply more information on the areas of intended collaboration, also told the delegation that, as a conscious national strategy, Nigeria would look out for how investment would grow our economy and develop our people

Fashola  noted  that  the  challenges  of  housing  needs  were  more  pronounced  in  urban  cities  than  in  rural  communities, adding  that  there  was  the  need  to  get  data  on  where  people  want  houses,  the  type  of  houses  and  affordability.

He  added  that  there  was  the  need  to  work  out  a  strategy  on  housing  to  meet  the  interest  of  all  stakeholders.

The Minister assured the delegation that the Federal Government of Nigeria would continue to collaborate and work with the UN body to achieve the clear mandate of the UN- Habit Programme

The head of the UN-Habitat delegation Dr. Naison Mutizwa- Mangiza, earlier told the Minister about some key outcomes of the validation workshop which include among others; review of the MOU between UN-Habitat and Nigeria, setting up technical committee to review the MOU, data collection on housing infrastructure, project conceptualization and management and knowledge and technology transfer.

He also told the Minister about the forthcoming Conference of Ministers’ of Housing scheduled for Abu Dhabi next year 2020 and extend invitation to Nigeria to attend

Earlier at the opening of the Workshop, the Minister of State Works and Housing, Engineer Abubakar Aliyu, expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation and harmonious working relationship between the

Federal Government and the UN-Habitat in the implementation of the various sustainable human settlements programmes in Nigeria.

He recalled that the Federal Government of Nigeria signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the UN Human settlement Programme Support (UN-Habitat) in 2001 to establish a UN-Habitat Programme Support Office (HAPSO) in Abuja, Nigeria, explaining that the mandate of HAPSO was derived from the UN-Habitat’s United Nations General Assembly global mandate to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.

Engineer Aliyu further explained that, the 2014-2015 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) specifically mandates HAPSO to “assist interested Governments at Federal, State and Local levels in Nigeria through, Technical Cooperation, field projects, provision and exchange of expertise, networking, public information, capacity building and consulting services” under the guidance of UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Africa. 

The Validation Workshop was organised by the UN-Habitat in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, to give opportunity to stakeholders to review the operations of UN-Habitat Programme Support office (HAPSO) in Nigeria. The HAPSO office became operational in October 2003 in Abuja, Nigeria.

“We believe the urbanization challenges in Africa require African solutions. For this reason, Nigeria has been at the fore front of championing the African Urban Agenda which is aimed at mobilizing nations to unite in its quest for ‘home made’ solutions to her urbanization challenges and to contribute in unison to the global urbanization debate” Aliyu said

Feb

15

2019

FG Rolls Out 76 Housing Units In Kogi State

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Housing Programme, has delivered on its promise to provide housing for its teeming population, 76 Housing Units of Three, Two and One Bedroom Flats in Lokoja, Kogi State.

Engr. Valentine Nwaimo, Zonal Director, National Housing Programme (NHP) North Central zone, Federal Ministry of Power Works and Housing, made this
known when the Ministry embarked on a Media Tour of all the Housing units within the Programme in the North central zone to ascertain the level of progress of work.

Engr. Nwaimo said 76 units have been fully completed within the estate, its road infrastructure was at a 100% completion, Electricity 93% while Water supply was at 53% Nevertheless, the whole building works would be delivered by March, 2019. This was part of Governments’ efforts at ameliorating housing deficits experienced within the country, he said.

On how to access the buildings, Engr. Nwaimo said the Ministry will make public modalities for purchase as soon as it was finalized. While the 2nd Phase of the project would kick off as soon as necessary paper works have gone through Due Process and land allocations have been concluded, he added.

Speaking with Pressmen, Arc. Hajara Enesi Team Leader/ Controller of NHP, Kogi State described the opportunities made available to the indigenes in the area of artisanry, food and water vending, supply of building materials etc.

Arc Enesi  stated that over 5000  Nigerians were engaged for skilled and unskilled labour while the project lasted. She said the ripple effect has brought development to the whole area which was known for nefarious activities before now and in turn advanced the economy as a whole.

Arc. Enesi added that all materials used on the project were locally sourced within the state in line with the Presidential Executive Order 5 meant to improve local content and free up job opportunities for Nigerians.

Oct

27

2018

Minster Calls For Price Reduction For The Sale Of Houses In Nigeria

The Minister of State I for Power, Works and Housing, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri has urged all stakeholders in the building and construction industry, especially in the housing sector, to relatively reduce the price tag for the sale and purchase of houses so that the poor and low income earners, who formed the majority of our larger population could afford to earn a decent living.

Baba Shehuri made the call recently in his Mabushi office when he received in audience the officials of Housing Africa Co-operation (HAC)who came to collaborate with his Ministry, in order to provide affordable and decent housing accommodation for the Civil Servants in particular and Nigerians at large.

He disclosed that the potentials in the housing industry in Nigeria is quite huge, which businessmen ought to tactfully embrace, bearing in mind the accruing profits and quick turnover, stressing that with considerable prices, Civil Servants and low income earners will no doubt have a roof over their heads.

The Minister however charged the Management of Federal Housing Authority (FHA), and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to create time out of their busy schedule and critically look into possible ways to partner with HAC in order to solve the problem of accommodation bedeviling Nigeria.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, HAC, Mr. Stephen Duggan stated that his mission in the Ministry was to see how to partner with Federal Government of Nigeria in order to improve the standard of living of Nigerians through the provision of decent and affordable accommodation.

He maintained that the materials for the building construction will be sourced locally and with labour made up of Nigerians within and around the local communities.

Jun

07

2018

Remarks  By H.E, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN During The Courtesy Call And Handing Over Of Keys Of The Government Allocated House To Coach Bonfrere Jo At The Conference Room Of The Ministry On Tuesday, 5th June, 2018

If you know Emmanuel Okala,  Martins Eyo, Tunde Bamidele, Kadiri Ikhana, John Orlando, Best Ogedegbe, Muda Lawal,  and    Segun Odegbami you will remember that the team used to be known as the Green Eagles until they were renamed Super Eagles. You will remember that they became Super for doing something Superlative - They won the African Nations Cup for Nigeria for the first time.

For this act of patriotism, they were allocated houses  since 1980, but while they had possession these members of the Super Eagles had no documentation.

But 38 years after, the Buhari Government has changed that.  Letters of Allocation have been issued to these remaining  8 (Eight) allottees.

They will tell you that change means solving a 38 year old problem. 

We gather today because another problem in our Sports Sector that is 24 years old has been resolved by the Buhari Government.

This is the case of Mr Bonfrere Jo, the Assistant Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles who won the 1994 Nations Cup and were given houses by the Government of Nigeria.

Sadly, Mr Jo never got his own and his lawyer wrote a letter to Government to this effect on 20/9/1996. 

We gather today because Mr Bonfrere Jo knows what change means.

Change means that the Buhari Government has solved a 24 year old problem.

Change means that Mr Bonfrere Jo now has his house 24 years after.

Change means that a 24 year old pledge has been redeemed and this is how Mr Bonfrere Johannes Franciscus puts it in his letter of 13th February 2018.

“I wish to first and foremost register my
 profound gratitude to the Hon. Minister
 for his kind gesture in redeeming the
 pledge made by the Federal Government
 of Nigeria pursuant to our historic
 feat in clinching the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations”

As we prepare for the 2018 World Cup this story of change must serve as an inspiration to our players and our officials that promises made will be kept.

Change means that the Buhari  Government is solving difficult and old problems not only in Sports, but in infrastructure , like the Bodo – Bonny Bridge in Rivers State and the Mambilla Hydro Power Project which have been in conception for almost 40 years.

I  thank you all for your attention.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing

May

22

2018

National Housing Programme Designed to Integrate Persons Living with Disability — Minister

The National Housing Programme (NHP) is also designed for the integration of persons living with disabilities through inclusive building designs with ramps for mobility and interaction, an official says. The Minister of State II for Power, Works and Housing, Alhaji Suleiman Zarma, made the fact known on Tuesday during an inspection of construction at NHP site in Ado-Ekiti. Zarma in the company with some ministry officials was on an assessment tour of Federal Government roads and housing projects in the South-West Geo-Political Zone. The NHP is designed to suit different categories of people, including persons with disability, through provision of ramps to ease movement in the buildings. But in Ado-Ekiti, the structures were designed in such a way that persons living with disability are restricted to the ground floor.

During the inspection, the minister said that people living with disabilities should not be restricted to the ground floor and should be allowed to interact freely. “In the world over now, people living with disabilities are integrated without being segregated. So there is no point to say that you have them only on the ground floor, that is another phase of segregation. “They should be able to go to all the floors and to all the levels of the building; they should be accommodated to carry out their activities. Zarma, a surveyor, urged officials in-charge of NHP in Ekiti, to ensure that designs suitable for persons with disability were captured very well in the next phase of NHP. “On the staircases, there will be strips or ramps that will cater for their movement. “They should not segregate the people with disabilities by restricting them to the ground floor; they should be allowed to go up and interact,’’ he noted.

The NHP Team Leader in the state, Mr Segun Dossou, noted that due to an initial setback of relocation, the 70 housing units being constructed began late but was nearing completion. The architect assured the minister that the design for the second phase which would commence soon would go beyond the ground floor and extend to others to accommodate the people living with disabilities. He said all the contractors were mobilised and reported to the site except one that was handling two number blocks of three bedrooms who was yet to report for site handing over. According to him, the contractor has been served a warning letter to do so with a view to commencing the process of determining his contract.

“The water infrastructure contract is already at 80 per cent completion with the drilling of four boreholes, installation of ground and overhead tanks and construction of water treatment plant. “The road infrastructure contract progress include completion of site survey, setting out of roads, cutting and bending of re-enforcement are on-going with view to commencing concrete works on the drainage. “External electrification progress includes the completion of erection of poles and construction of housing for transformer sub-stations while cable line installation is on-going.

Dossou said that the project also created jobs and wealth for not only the building professionals and contractors but 1,500 skilled and unskilled artisans. The representative of the contractors, Mr Raji Kehinde, also appealed to the ministry to make funds faster to avoid delay in the completion of the project. One of the indigenes of the locality, Mr Femi Adetifa, expressed joy over the housing development in the state and called for continuity by the Federal Government. The minister also inspected the on-going construction of N3.3 billion Federal Secretariat Complex, located at New Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti, by Messrs Deux Project Ltd. with 20 per cent of the job completed.

Source: (NAN)

Mar

02

2018

Remarks By Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At The Inauguration Of The Governing Boards Of The Federal Housing Authority And The Federal Mortgage Bank Of Nigeria

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We gather today to perform a formality. We gather to inaugurate the Governing Boards of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) as required by their enabling statutes and as approved by the President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.

As simple and formal as this event is, it has profound consequences.

One consequence is that it offers opportunity to the Nigerians who we inaugurate today to participate in the decision-making process that affect the lives of millions of people, who will partake and benefit of the prosperity that a Housing economy offers.

It is an opportunity whose importance is not to be viewed lightly. This is the opportunity to participate by rendering service, and it is the hallmark of liberal democracy.

Every so often, many of us complain that things are not heading in the direction we like, but how many of us volunteer our time, our skills and our resources to affecting the course of events?

More importantly, how many of us accept to serve with titles that are not headline grabbing like President, Governor, Senator, and Local Government Chairman; and how many will accept to serve without a title?

I have said before that you do not need a title to serve, and if we all pause to look beyond in elective offices, and the big titles, we will see an enormous field of opportunities for service beckoning on men and women of goodwill to step forward and contribute to nation building.

This is the profound decision all of you have taken by accepting these appointments to serve in these two important institutions.

On behalf of President Buhari, the Government and People of Nigeria, I thank you for accepting and for the service you will render to our people.

As to what your roles will be, please let me implore you to quickly avail yourselves of a copy of the respective laws setting up your agencies, where your functions and powers are spelt out.

But if a guide is required, let me say that you will individually and collectively be the conscience of these agencies for implementing the policies of Government, with respect to public housing and mortgage financing in Nigeria.

Some of the programmes and projects of these Agencies will come to you for approvals, and it will be your duty to decide whether to approve or not.

In doing so, you will have to decide whether the proposals are consistent with Law, whether they advance public good, whether they will bring the greatest good to the greatest number of people.

As you undertake this responsibility, please permit me to remind you that it is men and women who build institutions and not the other way around.

Therefore, good institutions are the aggregate of good deeds of good men and women, while unsalutary institutions similarly represent the aggregate of the unsalutary deeds of men and women who, perhaps, were never worthy of the responsibility they were entrusted with.

Ladies and Gentlemen, since the FHA and FMBN were set up, they have experienced their fair share of challenges, while they have also become well-known brands within the country.

This is now your responsibility to reposition these brands and utilize them, by providing the guidance for the Managing Directors and Management teams of FHA and FMBN to enable them deliver service to Nigerians.

For the avoidance of doubt, let me state that the Policy of Government is to deliver Affordable Housing, acceptable to Nigerians and these agencies, whose brands you will now administer are the implementing arms of Government for: a) Housing delivery (FHA) and b) Housing Financing (FMBN).

The Managing Directors and their Management teams have the executive responsibility for carrying these out, subject to your Board oversight, approvals and advice, while the Ministry plays a supervisory role.

Therefore, we expect to see harmony, respect, teamwork and a healthy working co-operation between Board and Management.

On the part of the Ministry, I assure you that we will supervise but we will not interfere.

For your information, we are piloting a Housing Programme and currently constructing in 33 (Thirty-Three) States of Nigeria.

We do this to validate and test what type of housing design responds to Nigeria’s diverse cultural, climatic and religious needs, so as to ascertain what is acceptable and affordable.

We are at different stages of construction in different states, and we have commended these designs to FHA, without imposing them.

Our decision is informed by the evidence of previous housing initiatives that people did not take up and empty houses that still abound in almost every state of Nigeria.

These untaken houses, and the deficit of Housing, suggests to us that the untaken houses are either unacceptable or unaffordable or both.

We see housing as a product, and we take the view that before they can be delivered to market, we must know what the people want and what they can afford.

When our pilot is fully completed, these answers will become self-evident and this is when we can mass produce.

There is certainly nothing that stops FHA from undertaking other designs of housing if she can find a market for it, and she can deploy the income to cross-subsidize and make mass housing more affordable.

As for the financing side, this is critical to affordability and it is as much the function of FHA in cost management and delivery as it is that of FMBN in delivering mortgages of affordable tenures and costs. Since May 2015 to date FMBN has issued 2,724 mortgages worth N20.237BN to assist Nigerians buy their own homes; under the National Housing Fund.

Ladies and Gentlemen, once again, let me thank you for accepting to serve. The tenure and condition of service are contained in the letters of appointment that have been issued to you.

It is my honour and pleasure on behalf of Mr. President and the Federal Government of Nigeria to Inaugurate the Boards of the FMBN and FHA.

Please accept my best wishes for a successful tenure of service.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing

Jan

31

2018

FG Moves To End Housing Deficit: Initiates Family Homes Fund Housing Project To Deliver Affordables Housing Accross The Nation

The Federal Government in a bid to finding lasting solutions to the huge national housing deficit in the country, the Economic Management Team of the Federal Government hasset up a Family Homes Fund Task Force to facilitate the implementation and delivery of the Family Homes Housing Project across the nation.

Speaking during the in augural meeting of the Land and Infrastructure and Off –take Sub – Committees for the project, the Chairman and Minister of State II for Power, Works and Housing, Surv. Suleiman Hassan, mnis, stated that the project is a new widow intended to deliver more affordable houses to Nigerians. He noted that the essence is to consistently deliver about 100 housing units annually and create more jobs to the teaming unemployed Nigerians.

The Minister added that the Land and Infrastructure sub-committee is to engage with relevant state governments and stakeholders on prime locations of land in the various states of the Federation. Also, the Offtake Sub - Committee is to determine a model for the participation of staff housing cooperatives, adding that this will be able to take care of retired civil servants, officers and personnel of the security forces.

The Minister enjoined members of the sub-committees to bring their wealth of experience to bear in order to actualize this laudable initiative of the Federal Government geared towards the delivery of affordable mass housing.

In her response, representative of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack stated that affordable and quality houses is a key issue that the government is pursuing, adding that members of the Offtake sub-committee will do the needful in meeting up with the task ahead.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu noted that one of the most important aims of the Family Home Project is to identify the financing requirements, draw up a sustainable financing of the models, structure of financing and buy-in of relevant Agencies including the Nigerian Mortgage Re-Financing Corporation for the continuity of the programme.

Apr

12

2017

FG Provides N500bn to Resuscitate FMBN for Mortgage Facilities

The Federal Government says it has provided N500 billion to resuscitate the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to make mortgage facilities easily available to Nigerians. Alhaji Mustapha Baba-Shehuri, Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, announced this in Lafia on Monday when he called on the Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Mr Silas Agara.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister visited the site of a National Housing Project (NHP) in Lafia. “The resuscitation of the bank with N500 billion will provide the institution with adequate funds to provide mortgage facilities to interested Nigerians. “The Federal Government in its quest to provide shelter to Nigerians, has recently directed the FMBN to waive the payment of 10 percent equity on mortgages below N5 million. “This will greatly enhance the transition of low income earners from tenants to home owners,’’ he said.

Baba-Shehuri explained that the project would provide houses and jobs for low income earners. The minister said the houses would be built based on Nigerian housing design with 100 per cent local content. “The housing project came up with a 100 per cent Nigerian housing design and local content. “This is done because government wants to create employment for Nigerian youths,’’ he said.

The minister commended the state government for providing land for the National Housing Project, saying that it was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s promise of providing infrastructure. Baba-Shehuri said the ministry would leave no stone unturned in tackling the challenges of housing shortage in the country which was about 16 million to 17 million. He disclosed that the government had commenced plan to construct mass housing units in every state for public and private workers over the next three years.

Responding, the Deputy Governor thanked the minister for the visit and commended the Buhari led administration for initiating the project. “We assure you as a state that we will partner with your ministry to ensure that the project is successfully completed. “As you are aware, we have fulfilled our part by providing a good location in Akruba in the outskirts of Lafia metropolis for the project,’’ he said.

The minister visited the ongoing project in Akruba in Lafia Local Government Area comprising 76 houses of one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

Mar

21

2017

* As Minister delivers President’s thank you message to young men, women at various construction sites in the North East

* Artisans, carpenters, bricklayers, welders, food vendors, suppliers hail Minister, Federal Government at Taraba, Gombe National Housing Project sites

* National Housing Programme currently going on in 33 States in the country

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN, has undertaken an extensive inspection tour of on-going infrastructure projects in the North East Zone saying the rapid progress being made on the projects and the employment opportunities created in the process were a manifestation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s determination to achieve economic recovery and create jobs through housing, roads and general infrastructural development.

Fashola, who spoke in Taraba and other States in the course of the four days tour, told workers at the site of the State’s National Housing Programme that the whole idea behind the road and Housing development projects going on now across the country was to create jobs for the teeming unemployed youth, get those who had lost their jobs back to work and, thereby, energize the economy.

The Minister, who was received by the obviously excited workers with chanting of praise for the Federal Government as they waved and hailed him with their raised fists and working implements, assured Nigerians that the present administration was committed to empowering, especially, the vulnerable in the society such as the artisans, welders, bricklayers, carpenters, food vendors, suppliers of building materials and others.

As the Minister waved back and moved round the site of the National Housing Programme in Taraba State and engaged several of them in a chat, those who were working on the walls and other areas within the site gathered round to hear him even as he marched their excitement by posing such questions as when the worker was engaged, what he was doing before his engagement, whether he loved the job and the pay among others. An excited worker, Rilwan Adamu, who answered all the questions at the site of the National Housing Programme in Jalingo, Taraba State, praised the government for providing jobs for them.

Abubakar Umar also answered similar questions from the Minister at the site of the Housing Programme in Gombe State while an artisan, Jeremiah Barnabas, chatted with him at the site of the 40MW Hydro Power Plant in Dadin Kowa, Gombe State.

Thanking the workers on behalf of President Buhari, who, he told them, had asked him to greet them for contributing to the rebuilding and growth of their country, Fashola further encouraged them to be committed to their work as their contribution would help to put the nation’s economy back to shape and make the country prosperous for every Nigerian.

Addressing the workers, Fashola pointed out that the objective of the Federal Government was to get the youths back to work adding that the programme would energize the economy as artisans, carpenters, bricklayers, welders, food vendors, suppliers and many others engage in activities that put money in their pockets and food on their tables.

The Minister told them, “This is all what it is about; it takes care of the vulnerable members of our society. That is what Housing does; it energises the industry and it energizes employment. You will see trucks moving in and out, you will see bricklayers, you will see carpenters, you will see welders, you will see food vendors; and this is what we are igniting across the whole country”.

“That is why President Muhammadu Buhari said this year’s Budget is a Budget of Growth, getting people who have lost their jobs previously back to work, putting money in their pockets and restoring their dignity so that every morning they can tell their wives, they can tell their husbands ‘I am going to work’ ”, he said.

Earlier, the Federal Controller of Housing in the State, Mr Pius Eneji, who received and conducted the Minister round the site, had told the him that the site was on 16 hectares of land adding that the contractors were currently working on five hectares of the land.

He also told the Minister that there were a total of 76 units of houses in the site made up of four units of one bedroom semi-detached bungalows, 48 units of two bedroom semi-detached bungalows and 15 units of three bedroom semi-detached bungalows.

The Controller, who said the work on the site was delayed for some time because of some exigencies, informed the Minister that a total of 19 contractors were on the site and working pointed out that but for the delay, some of the houses would have gone beyond the levels that they were at the moment.

He said the number of workers that were engaged on a daily basis varies according to the volume of work at hand adding that when the building got to the stage of casting lintel, more workers would be required as well as at other stages of work as the buildings progress.

According to him, there is also a nine-man team sent from Abuja to monitor the project and the team was based in the State adding that his office has also deployed seven staff of the Ministry to complement the efforts of the Abuja team in order to ensure delivery of quality buildings for the people.

It could be observed at both the Gombe and Taraba sites that the buildings were at various stages of completion with some at the foundation level while others were already progressing towards the lintel level. 

Earlier at the site of the road inspection which was the construction of the Jalingo-Kona-Lam-Karim-Lamido Road, inside the State Capital, Fashola thanked the Taraba State Government for taking responsibility for the road, the contractor handling the project, for the quality of work done and the Taraba State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Dr. Tafarki Eneme, for supervising the project to completion.

The Minister, who assured that the Federal Government would reimburse the State the money they spent on the road, however, pointed out that the road was now a Metropolitan Municipal road as it ran inside the centre of the city adding that it no longer qualified as a Federal Road.

According to the Minister, “This is now a Metropolitan Municipal road. It really does not qualify in the sense of a Federal Highway because our work as a Federal Government is to connect states together. But obviously when this road was designated as a Federal Highway most of these developments were not here; but you now see that it now has a pedestrian sidewalk and all of the amenities.

“So it has become a Municipal road and if you apply, I think the Federal Government will be inclined to hand it over to you for maintenance and management”, he said, assuring the State Government, however, that the handover or any such arrangement in the future was without prejudice to its right to be fully reimbursed whatever it had spent on the road.

On Saturday, the Minister also took time off on his way to Yobe State to inspect the National Housing Programme in Gombe State during which he reiterated that President Buhari was determined to make Housing and Infrastructure development generally the main plank of his administration’s Economic Recovery Plan.

The Federal Controller of Housing in the State, Tpl. Yalin Luka Barnabas who received and conducted the Minister round the housing project, told him that there were altogether 76 housing units made up of 1,2 and 3 bedroom semi-detached bungalows adding that there were altogether about 500 workers on daily basis.

The National Housing Programme is currently going on in 33 states of the country.

Feb

21

2020

Fashola Commissions Gombe  House Estate

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has commissioned the Gombe State Investment Housing Estate financed by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN)

The project was conceived as a result of partnership between FMBN and Gombe State Investment and Property Development Limited and was executed under the FMBN Estate Development Loan (EDL) Window.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony in Gombe, Fashola reiterated the commitment of President Muhamnadu Buhari to deliver affordable housing for Nigerians and to complete all inherited projects accross the country.

He commended the vision of Gombe State Investment limited for starting the estate and the partnership it entered into with the FMBN that ensured the final delivery of the estate after many years of its inception.

The Minister also used the occasion to flagg off the North East National Cooperative Housing Development Scheme which he said was basically to encourage people come into groups to build for themselves the type of houses they need.

Accordingly, he explained that the idea of the housing Cooperative was for buyers to determine houses that meet their expectations and will also remove the middle men contractors and make houses more affordable to low and middle income earners.

On the economy of Housing, Fashola stated that many jobs are created and welth redistributed through Housing contractions, pointing out that; food vendors, Masons, artisans, labourers, Carpenters, tailors, welders are engaged and earn income working on the sites.

While urging people to come into Housing Cooperative, Mr Fashola congratulated the beneficiaries of the houses and prayed that they will find homes and peace in the estate by the grace of God.

In his address, Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya commended the commitment of the government of President Muhamnadu Buhari in  pproviding shelter to  Nigerians.

He explained that providing shelter is one of the responsibilities of any government that has concern for it's citizens.

Speaking earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FMBN, Arch Ahmed Dangiwa, commended the effort of the Minister Fashola for encouraging the FMBN to collaborate with states' government in providing housing through Cooperative.

He explained that, it was through the partnership between the FMBN and Gombe State Investment limited that the estate was delivered.

A total number of 150 houses have been completed out of the 311 conceived. This comprises 82 units detached two bedroom bungalows and 68 units of 3 bedroom detached.

A beneficiaries of the estate Ayuba Maiyama who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, appreciated the effort of Gombe State Investment for providing them the opportunity to own the houses, and also appealed to the Minister and the FMBN to complete the remaining 161 houses to make up the 311 earlier conceived.

The selling price is; N6 3 million for the 2 bedroom and N7.5 million for the 3 bedroom.

Feb

19

2020

First Of FG’s Cooperative Housing Initiative For Informal Sector Takes Off In FCT

* As Fashola Commissions AKACARE Cooperatives Woodhill Estate In Kuje, says choice of Cooperative Associations is based on their proven successes in other areas of the economy
* Current partnerships with some cooperatives in the formal sector has 52 projects to deliver 4,624 units in 2020
* We hope to reach large members of the informal sector and scale up construction with multiplier effects on economy Minister
* FMBN assigned to partner with the cooperatives in implementation of policy

The first of Federal Government’s planned cooperative housing initiative to reach the informal sector in the country came on stream Monday as the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, commissioned the AKACARE Cooperative Housing Scheme, the Woodhill Estate, at Kuje, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari had, in his address at the Ministerial Retreat held in September 2019, declared that one of his administration’s NEXT LEVEL commitments was “to deepen access of Nigerians to affordable housing and consumer credit”.

In his keynote address at the event, Fashola said the Federal Government’s choice of Cooperative Associations as means to reach the informal sector in its housing development was based on their traditionally proven successes in the areas like transportation, agriculture, trade and commerce, market associations and other large groups in the informal sector.

At the event which also had in attendance the representative of the Head of Service of the Federation and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, among other top Government functionaries and dignitaries from both public and private sectors, Fashola said by using cooperatives as anchor, the Federal Government hoped to reach the large members of the informal sector and scale up construction of houses with its multiplier effects on the economy.

According to him such multiplier effects on the nation’s economy would include the boosting of cottage industries which make building materials like paints, doors, roofing materials, nails and electrical fittings, to mention a few, adding that the scale of construction by the associations would also ramp up employment and income for artisans who would build the houses.

Fashola said the Ministry of Works and Housing, as the Policy making arm of the Government, had assigned the responsibility of implementing the policy to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), a parastatal of the Ministry, to partner with the cooperatives, adding that the FMBN had also recorded modest successes in its partnerships with some cooperatives.

Noting that such boost in employment and economy of the most vulnerable would represent Ministry of Works and Housing’s contribution to President Buhari’s commitment to raise a 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in a decade, Fashola recalled the testimonies of artisans during his recent inspection tour of South-South road and housing projects where masons testified to earning as much as N126,000 and labourers N84,000 per month while food vendors made as much as N140,000 profit per month.

The Minister, who defined Cooperatives as “an autonomous association of persons united VOLUNTARILY to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned enterprise”, pointed out that the word voluntary was critical in the formulation of Government’s policy of partnership with the cooperatives ”as a means of overcoming the problem of Acceptability and affordability” that has stood in the way of access to housing.

He said the importance of this stemmed from Government’s past experiences, investigations and observations which had revealed the existence of hundreds of thousands of unoccupied houses in major cities across the country adding, “They are empty and unoccupied because they are either over-built, in being too big, or under-built in being too small and, therefore, unacceptable to those who need them”.

The reason for the unacceptability, Fashola further stated, was “because in many instances no consultations took place between the builders and the consumers they build for”, adding that because of the lack of consultation and the attendant acceptability problem, the problem of affordability also creeps in.

“This is why we are undertaking a pilot scheme based on our studies to build in 34 states who provided land, what the people we consulted said they will find acceptable”, the Minister said adding, “Our policy development team finds the voluntary nature of cooperatives very useful because members will be expected to design and build according to their needs and their income, as they find affordable”.

Expressing confidence in FMBN for successful implementation of the policy, Fashola said, “As in other sectors, when cooperatives have been successful, we can point to modest successes of partnerships with FMBN with some cooperatives in the formal sector that currently has 52 housing projects under construction to deliver 4,624 units in 2020”.

He said in flagging off the policy through the commissioning of Woodhill Estate of AKACARE Cooperative Housing Scheme, Government “seeks to multiply the above number in many fold by unleashing the power of cooperatives and empower their voluntary will to act together in pursuit of the common desire to access housing and credit”.

Listing the requirements for the eligibility of cooperatives to include registration, acquisition of land with title and building permit from the government of the respective states where their land is located, Fashola said the last requirement was instructive “because it seeks to eliminate incidents of unapproved buildings and slums which governments later seek to demolish”.

The Minister, who recalled that all the state government agencies in charge of land were briefed at the National Council launch meeting held in Abuja on November 7th 2019, added. “The Mandate and role of the FMBN is to then provide construction funding to the cooperatives to build the houses and to provide mortgage finance to the individual members to buy the house and pay back in instalments at a rate not exceeding 10 per cent per annum”.

Commending AKACARE Cooperative for embracing the NEXT LEVEL initiative of government, Fashola declared, “As every cooperative chooses what it desires and can afford, the FMBN, representing the Federal Government of Nigeria, will be your partner, providing financial support to enable you act voluntarily to choose and build what you accept and your income can afford”.

Earlier in his opening remarks the Managing Director/Chief Executive of FMBN, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, said under the first phase of the Woodhill Housing Estate which was being commissioned, FMBN delivered 77 housing units comprising of 40 units of 2-bedroom semi-detached bungalows and 37 units of 3-bedroom detached bungalows.

According to the Chief Executive, the basic infrastructure already built to fully service the Estate include an internal road network, electricity and water works to create a conducive and liveable environment adding that five of the completed units were already occupied by subscribing members of AKACARE Multipurpose Cooperative Society who were also present at the occasion.

The second phase of the project, he said, has already commenced and is expected to deliver an additional 77 units to make a total of 154 houses in all adding that to improve accessibility to the Estate, FMBN was providing an additional loan to complete the 2.1 kilometre access road from the major junction as its socio-economic contribution to open up that area of Kuje for other real estate developments.

Expressing appreciation to the Minister for driving the vision and the passion for the model of affordable housing delivery through cooperative societies, the FMBN boss added that already, at about 17 jobs per unit, the project has created 1,309 direct jobs to the local environment adding that the Bank would continue to strive to keep positively impacting the Nigerian economy through its business.

Also present at the event were the Chairman, Board of Directors of FMBN, Dr. Adewale Adeeyo, Managing Director/Chief Executive of FMBN, Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, Managing Director, Perfect Estate Developers Limited, Architect Dayo Babatunde among others.

Jan

16

2020

Nigeria And Turkey Need More Collaboration-Minister

The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu has emphasized the need for more collaboration between Nigeria and Turkey in order to achieve greater success in the development of both countries especially as they share common development goals.

Engineer Aliyu made this emphasis when he received on behalf of the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, the Turkish Minister of Trade, Her Excellency Rushar Peckan who paid a courtesy call on the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

Engineer Ali said, “In order to achieve success in our development since Nigeria and Turkey have common development goals, there is need to share knowledge in technological investment and collaborate in engineering design and construction for the purpose of providing infrastructure for development”.

The Minister expressed the willingness of the Ministry of Works and Housing to collaborate with investors in the road infrastructure sector. He added that his Ministry was ready to partner with Turkey in the following areas:

The development of various Greenfield and Brownfield projects across the nation,  mass development of affordable housing in selected city centres across Nigeria, capacity development and mentoring for Public-Private partnership officials.

Earlier, the Minister of Trade for the Republic of Turkey, Her Excellency, Rushar Pekan disclosed that the purpose of the visit was to seek increased collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Housing with the view to increase Turkey’s trade volume in Nigeria in road construction and engineering.

Pekan who described Nigeria as one of the most important countries and the biggest economy in Africa noted that Nigeria had great potential in road construction and engineeringadding that her country was blessed with experts in that field. She therefore urged the ministry to consider Turkish investors in those areas.

She was accompanied on the visit by the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Melih Ulueren and some Turkish investors.

Nov

29

2019

We Are Critical Stakeholders To Create 10 Million Jobs For Nigerians-Fashola

The Honourable e Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN has declared that his Ministry is strategizing towards playing a vital role in supporting President Mohammadu Buhari’s determination to create 10 million jobs for Nigerians, especially for the teaming youths.

He made the declaration today at the 25th meeting of the National Council on Works in Calabar, Cross River State. The theme of the Council Meeting is ‘’ Infrastructure as the pathway for prosperity’’ which according to  him was carefully chosen to address the complex issues  of road infrastructure development in the country with the view to proffering tangible solutions to some of the problems in Nigeria , thereby giving the good people of Nigeria  qualitative services  they deserve.

Fashola who was ably represented by the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu maintained that it behoves on all Stakeholders in the Works sector to find new enduring possibilities on how to establish the link between infrastructure development and job creation, poverty alleviation and empowerment of the informal sector in ensuring that the 10 million jobs target for the next ten years by Mr. President was   achieved.

The Minister disclosed that his Ministry would effectively collaborate with other relevant agencies saddled with similar responsibilities of monitoring, maintenance and survey of roads network in Nigeria with the view to develop them to the desired standard.

He commended the Government and the good of Cross River State for providing a safe and conducive environment for the 25th Meeting of the National Council on Works and hosting the prestigious annual International Calabar Carnival event which according to him has made the ancient city, not only, a global home for entertainment but also a veritable economic hub  to reckon with , in South- South Nigeria.

In his address, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Prof. Ben. Ayade who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu urged the Federal Road Maintenance Agency to rise up to the challenge of road  maintenance , ‘’ We have thrown overboard our maintenance culture, let us revive our road maintenance culture, let us maintain the roads so that the failing path will not expand the more’’ he said.

While commending the Management and staff of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, and all the Stakeholders in the Works Sector for considering his state worthy to host the 25th Meeting of the National Council on Works, Ayade called on Federal Government to reconstruct the failed highways  in his State with concrete , adding that the Ikom, Itu, Bakasi and Katsina-Ala highways  were vital and  of Scio- economic importance to Cross River State in particular and Nigeria in general.

Nov

10

2019

We Need States To Achieve Affordable Housing In Nigeria - Fashola

Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN said that for Nigeria to achieve affordable housing for its teeming population, the Federal Government has to work with the State Governments.

Delivering his keynote address at the 8th Meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development with the theme: " Housing Development and Consumer Credit as Strategies for National Development" the Minister said that collaboration between the Federal and State Governments was very crucial in achieving affordable houses for Nigerians.

According to the Minister, the basic requirement for building and owning a house is land which is owned and controlled by the states, adding that the urban development and planning is also a matter within the jurisdiction of the states as determined by the Supreme Court. "Whether you can build a filling station, school, business centres is determined by the states, " he explained.

Fashola also noted that the issue of housing deficit in Nigeria is an urban issue. " In our rural areas there is no housing deficit, no traffic and waste management issues, these are mostly prevalent in the urban areas, " he said.

The Minister also described the theme of this year's Council as apt and carefully chosen as a step towards the ladder of prosperity, adding that, the meeting would afford participants from the Federal level the opportunity to interface with their states counterparts as a foundation for achieving national prosperity.

Continuing, Fashola also said housing projects could add value to Mr. President's vision of lifting over 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years by creating access to opportunities, income, nutrition, shelter and freedom from diseases.

"By Government's action in construction sites all over Nigeria, we are reaching out to people and moving them from Poverty to prosperity, " he said.

In his opening remarks the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Musa Bello represented by Engr. Umar Gambo Jibrin, the Executive Secretary Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCDA), said, the theme for this year's council was pertinent considering the housing deficit challenge the country is currently facing and the lack of financing to tackle it.

He said that, as one of the fastest growing cities in the world, FCT has a major problem of shortage of housing.

While calling on Financial Houses to make a long financing opportunities to address challenges in the housing sector, Bello said that, the process of land administration was transparent and that the Federal Capital Territory Administration was working to ease the collection of certificates of occupancies (C of Os).

Delivering his Goodwill message, the Chairman of Senate Committee on Housing, Senator Sam Egwu said the responsibility of any Government was to provide affordable houses for its citizens.

"We at the National Assembly will provide the legislative support to move the housing sector forward. We are ready to work on any bill sent to us, " he said.

Nov

02

2019

2019 URBAN OCTOBER: FG Calls for Collective Resolve for Sustainable Urban Development

Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has called for a collective reflection, stocktaking and strengthening partnerships, to accelerate action in the pursuit for sustainable urban development in Nigeria.

Fashola made the call in his keynote address at the commemoration of the 2019 World Habitat Day and World Cities Day yesterday in Abuja.

The 2019 Urban October has the themes:“Frontier technologies as an innovative tool to transform waste to wealth” and “Changing the World: Innovations and a Better Life for Future Generations “

The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar D.Aliyu, read the keynote address on behalf of Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola,SAN, the Minister of Works and Housing.

Fashola said we all have the responsibility to shape the future of our cities and build the type of cities we desire for our good health and well-being, and for that of our future generation.

Fashola disclosed that in partnership with  UN Habitat  the Federal Government had embarked on the review of the National Urban Development Policy as well as implementing urban renewal and slum upgrading programmes in several urban communities  across the country.

With a view to creating smart and sustainable cities across the nation, the minister maintained that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has not relented in its commitment to making sure that Nigerians have a better life by addressing the housing and infrastructure challenges and those posed by unplanned cities which led to increased slums and shanties.

He listed the various programmes already embarked upon by the Government through his ministry, which include: the on-going National Housing Programme, the launch of the National Maintenance Framework for Public Building as well as the review of the Urban Development Policy.

In his welcome address the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mohammed  Bukar, said the celebration of the World Cities Day around the world was to enable us view cities as drivers and incubators of innovations,  industries, technology, entrepreneurship  and creativity in ground breaking ways to achieve lasting impacts on the communities, and to ensure that "No one and no place is left behind as we build the future we want."

In her goodwill message, the Executive Director, UN HABITAT, Mrs. Maimunah Moh Sharif, called on stakeholders to identify ways to overcome challenges confronting urbanisation in a way that everyone’s life could be improved.

She noted that cities are the best place of innovation and creativity, assuring that UN Habitat would be ready to fully support the Federal Government in her bid to create  sustainable urbanization.

The Chairman Senate committee on Housing, Senator Sam Egwu represented by his Vice, Senator Oyelola Isa Ashiru pledged the Committee’s full support towards achieving a sustainable development of our cities.

The highlights of the event were:the Honourable Minister’s inspection of the exhibition stands and presentation of gifts to students of Witty Might Academy, Holy Child Educational Homes and Fine Trust Academy for song rendition, poem and drama presentation at the 2019 Urban October celebrations.

Oct

09

2019

Building Collapse: Fashola Urges Prosecution Of Culpable Individuals To Serve As Deterrence

* As Minister hosts members of the National Building Code Advisory Committee on courtesy call
* Says it is not enough to have a Code or have trying laws but for people to know that there would be consequences for non-compliance
* Urges Committee to begin its advocacy plans with students to expose them to basic building  best practices early in life
* Commends the Committees work on the standards for Gas Piping, research into the earths movement in some parts of the country

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, Thursday called for the prosecution of builders found culpable in building collapse incidents in any part of the country saying it was the only way to send a strong message to builders to comply with the national building standards.

Fashola, who spoke in his office in Abuja while hosting members of the National Building Code Advisory Committee who paid him a courtesy visit, said where an investigation has been concluded in any event of building collapse and someone was found not to have complied to any of the building standards, such a person should be prosecuted as an example to others.

Expressing regrets that there has been little or no prosecution of any person after an investigation has been concluded over a collapsed building, noted, “Somebody must have acted wrongly, either in the design stage, whether it is in the material supply, whether it is in the compliance stage, somebody did something that he or she should not have done”, adding that such a person must be exposed and taken up for prosecution.

“I think that we have come to a point where after each unfortunate collapse we go back to the investigations, let us find one person who has acted wrongly; somebody must have acted wrongly, either in the design stage, whether it is in the material stage, whether it is in the compliance stage, somebody did something that he or she should not have done. Find that person and let us take him up for prosecution”, the Minister said.

Pointing out that such an example was what every society needed, the Minister said people needed to know that there would be consequences for non-compliance to the law adding that because people have died in any event of building collapse, the culprit could become answerable for manslaughter or for criminal negligence or answerable for so many other things.

“It is important for people to know that those laws are there to affect how people behave and that when people don’t comply with those laws there would be consequences”, he said adding that once somebody was made to answer questions before the public, “irrespective of the outcome, others will sit up. People will know that it is no longer the way it was and that you do it at your own peril”.

Advising professional builders to resist the temptation to shield their members during investigations, Fashola recalled an incident in Lagos when he was Governor pointing out that while investigation was getting close to the culprit of a building collapse, there was “conspiratorial silence” in the industry which enabled the culprit to escape prosecution.

“In places where investigations have been concluded, there will be findings; that there were substandard materials used, who supplied; or wrong design , who designed it? That is the person to hold. Or that designs were okay and materials were appropriate but they removed some, so who removed, who supplied? We can track all these things down. We have that ability”, he said.

On the notion in some quarters that the major reason for building collapse was the absence of a National Building Code, Fashola declared, “I am not sure in my mind and I find it difficult to accept that the absence or presence of a Building Code or an updated Building Code is the major cause of building collapse”.

According to the Minister, a lot of things have been quite standard for buildings for over a century and that if builders do those things and build with them; things like designs, materials and compliance to the basic standards there would be less of building collapse across the country adding that it is not enough to have a Code or have trying laws but to comply with the Code or building standards.

He expressed delight at the disclosure that the Committee’s work on the Standards for Gas Piping was essentially getting to conclusion. He said that it was a matter of national priority then that the Committee, in collaboration with the then Minister of State for Petroleum, should work to totally eliminate gas flaring by increasing demand for gas for domestic use.

He said because safety was the basic concern as people generally thought that gas was not safe, the only way to make it safe was to design minimum standards that were applied in other countries to ensure that gas could “pass through our cities and be beneficial to us without us being in any danger when we use it”, adding that in that sense the Committee was contributing and supporting a major source of the nation’s  energy use.

Fashola, who commended the advocacy plan of the Committee aimed at sensitizing members of the public on the basic building standards, however, advised that such sensitization should start from primary up to tertiary levels adding that the contents should be broken into “easy modules and easy bites” at every level for easy understanding and consumption.

Describing students as the “more critical stakeholders” in the Built Industry, the Minister said they were going to be more involved in the industry from now adding that unless they were exposed early in life to the global best practices in the Built Industry, they would learn it very late.

He declared, “Every level of education is important; the undergraduate level, the secondary school and even the primary school level. You can breakdown what they need to learn in easy modules and easy bites. Just like you learn something at the primary school level and it gets tougher as you progress to the secondary and university levels”.

The Minister promised that Government would get involved at this point with school teachers and principals as well as state Ministries of Education “so that some basic essentials of the building are to be  inculcated to the people in childhood”, adding that there was need “to be sufficiently connected with our habitats like in other communities”.

Fashola also advised the Committee to use street level conversation strategy in their interaction with the public during their sensitization programme for a better and effective sensitization pointing out that such programmes had failed in situations where professionals used technical languages and codes while explaining matters of public importance to them.

“All too often, professionals cannot breakdown the essential elements of their profession to street level conversation. We speak in such technical terms that make no connection with the ordinary people”, the Minister said and recommended for adaptation the example set by Professor Ransome Kuti as Minister of Health when he introduced the Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) Programme to the public.

“All that he was talking about had all the scientific codes and electrolyte balance in the body. But he broke it down to just water, salt and sugar; things that people can understand at street level”, he said adding, “That is the kind of communication that you can effectively have at street level so that you let people understand and appreciate some of the minimum standards that we have, and where they don’t exist, they can escalate them quickly to the authorities and we can prevent accidents and disasters before they happen”. 

The Minister also expressed delight that the Committee was researching into the earth movement in some parts of the country adding that he would love to see the results of whatever investigations that the body would arrive at and the recommendations that could affect the industry in terms of designs and quantity and quality of materials, among others.

Earlier, in his remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Architect Mohammed Faworaja, had given an update of the activities of the Committee since inauguration on July 26, 2018 to include conclusion of work on the guidelines for gas piping to buildings in the form of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) adding that a draft code has been prepared to be procedurally presented to a Stakeholders’ Workshop between now and November before incorporating it in the National Building Code.

Also, according to him, the Committee had, after inauguration, also set up some needed technical committees which include the Design, the Construction and Post--construction sections adding that the sub-committees have already commenced work monitoring the day-to-day activities of the Committee.

Other activities, he said, include monitoring building related activities nationwide, adding that one of the most worrisome outcomes of the monitoring was the incidences of building collapse across the country particularly in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and other cities in the country.

Also present at the occasion was the Minister of State, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, Director of Public Building, Director Engineering Services, among other Directors in the Ministry, Special Advisers to the Minister and other top functionaries of the Ministry while the Chairman National Building Code Advisory Committee was accompanied by other top executives of the Committee including Zonal Representatives.A

Feb

16

2019

FG To Erring Contractors, Up Your Games Or Face Sanctions

The Zonal Director of the National Housing Programme in the North- West, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Architect Joseph Toluhi, has urged erring contractors handling the on going construction of housing project in Kebbi State to step up their games or face necessary sanctions.

He noted that contractors, who fails to perform diligently on the job will have to give way for others to be engaged, adding that relevant clauses in the contract agreement can be invoke for appropriate sanctions.

This was contained in a statement by the Zonal Director on Wednesday in Biriin Kebbi during the North-West inspection tour to the project site.

Toluhi stated that the federal government is committed to provide decent and affordable housing to its teeming population and reduce the housing deficit in the country, adding that the NHP project is designed for the medium income earners who have the affordable means to acquire these houses across the nation.

The National Housing Programme, Kebbi State consist of 76 housing units of 1bedroom, 2 bedrooms and 3 bedrooms semi-detached bungalows, are being handled by 19 indigenous contractors.

In a similar development, the zonal inspection team led by Toluhi also visited the National Housing Programme site in Sokoto State to have on-the-spot assessment of the on going construction works which has reached 95 per cent completion stage.

“I must say that I am pleased and happy with the level of progress of work on this site because we have a very high level of competition. Most of the building here have been completed”. He noted that out of 20 contractors engaged, 12 of them have already been completed while four are yet to be roofed.

According to him, “this means, we are ready to move into these buildings. The infrastructure such as water supply, road arterial and water supply have reached a very high level of completion”.

The Team Leader in Sokoto State, Mr lliya Kastuda also confirmed that construction work has reached 95 percent completion, adding that there is provision of worship centers, school, market to give necessary comfort and police post to ensure adequate security within the housing estate.

The zonal Director and other officials of the Ministry inspected a similar project in Gusau, Zamfara State, which is put at 65% completion stage. He however expressed disappointment in the poor quality of job done, stressing that government will not tolerate sub-standard jobs from any contractor.

Dec

13

2018

FG Demands Professionalism In The Building Sector

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola has urged experts to exhibit the spirit of sacrifice and professionalism in their services as government continues to provide critical infrastructure to Nigerians.

Fashola, in the company of the Minister of State II, Surv. Hassan Zarma, said this when he received Members of the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Minister, who commended the sense of purpose, manifesting in the achievements of the Board within one year of its inauguration, and urged members to be more professional, saying that “if the professionals deliver, Nigeria will deliver”. He emphasized that doing so will eliminate quackery in the system.

Furthermore, Fashola explained that the 10% valuer and 25% reposition fees charged by professionals in the field “builds unsustainable economy, citing the 2nd Niger Bridge and the Bodo- Bonny Bridge which runs into billions of naira and requested the Board to review the charges.

The Minister also encouraged members to create a baseline data for all empty houses with information for sale or rental value, adding that those empty houses can be livable. He argued that a real economy must reflect indices of exchange rate, inflation and growth rate.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Board, Sir Nweke Umezuruike, while inviting the Ministers to the launch of the Green Book ‘The Nigeria Valuation Standards’ presented to him, explained that within the year, the Board has made some remarkable strides in the improved Adhesive Stamps, the publication of the Green Book amongst others.

Umezuruike also sought the Minister’s assistance for office accommodation and prompt composition of the Board membership/replacements as are necessary.

In attendance were the Permanent Secretary for Works and  Housing, Mohammed Bukar, the Permanent Secretary for Power, Loius Edozie.

Sep

19

2018

Minister Decries The Deplorable State Of FHA Roads: Promises Government Intervention

The Honourable Minister of State II for Power, Works and Housing, Surv. Suleiman Hassan Zarma, mnis, has lamented the deplorable condition of road and drainage infrastructures at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) estate, Lugbe, attributing it to critical failures of the planning authorities in time past in upgrading them, giving room to the flagrant abuse of planning regulations by residents.

The Minister stated this today in Abuja during an assessment tour of the infrastructural facilities at the estate along side with the Managing Director of Federal Housing Authority, Prof Mohammed Al-amin.

According to him, ‘’the typography of the estate was not fully taken into consideration at the planning and design stage, hence the reason for the hydraulic failures.’’ He added that though the facilities that were initially deployed, like the drainage system, maybe small and over stretched such that it cannot contain large volume of water especially during the flooding period.

Zarma said that the present administration, as part of its commitment to the citizenry, will however, not relent in upgrading of infrastructural services across the country to enhance and improve the living standards of Nigerians Federal Government owned estates.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority, Prof. Mohammed Al-amin thanked the Federal Government and the ministry for massively investing in infrastructures across the country and maintaining the existing structures.

While conducting the Minister and journalists round the roads and other facilities in the estate, Al-amin stated that the essence of the visit is to upgrade the FHA settlement into an urban centre due to its proximity to the city centre and the different categories of civil servants living in the housing estate.

Speaking at the site of the inspection, the Chairman of the Residents Association, Mr Odelana Adesina thanked the Minister for creating time to visit the estate. He said the residents are glad that the visit by the Minister has given him the opportunity to have a  firsthand information about the deplorable state of the roads and solicited the support of government for the rehabilitation of the existing/major road as well as build alternative roads in and out of the estate for ease of movement by residents.

He also urged the government to assist the residents in the provision of other infrastructures such as hospitals, drainages, water supply, metering for electricity and improved security within the estate.

The Federal Housing Authority Estate in Lugbe was built some 30 years ago and currently accommodates over 70,000 different categories of federal civil servants working in the city centre.

May

22

2018

Minister Of State, Suleiman Zarma Urges National Housing Contractors To Plant Economic Trees Round The Estates

In continuation of his inspection tour of on- going Federal Government projects in the North- Central geo-political Zone, of the country, Minister of State 11, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Surv Suleiman Hassan Zarma has urged contractors handling the construction  of the National Housing Programme (NHP) to plant economic trees that will not only green the estates but add economic value to the residents when government eventually dispose the houses to Nigerians.

The Minister said he would rather prefer economic trees to the aesthetic ones in view of their health and economic benefits. He said trees should not be planted to merely beautify an environment without adding any value to residents. He added that trees such as Mangoes, oranges, nime, pineapples etc will benefit the people more..

Zarma also inspected several road projects in Nassarawa, Benue and Plateau States. He acknowledged the substantial work recorded at some of the roads but decried the slow pace of some of them. He cautioned that government will no longer tolerate delays by contractors in delivery dates of government projects. According to him, “Government is eager to open up all the roads for economic activities, we don’t want excuses from contractors, more so when Government is not owing you”.

The Minister commended RCC, contractors handling the Loko- Oweto bridge for the standard quality and materials used in the construction of the bridge noting, that Nigerians were eager to have the bridge ready soon as it is strategically constructed as an access corridor to  link Nassarawa and Benue States with the South- East States. The bridge is about 96% completed.

Zarma also paid courtesy visits to Governors Umaru Tanko Al Makura of Nassarawa State, Samuel Ortom of Benue and Simon Dalung of Plateau State. The Minister restated the administration’s commitment to deliver critical infrastructure,  particularly improved power supply, motorable roads and housing for the benefits of Nigerians whom he said are “thirsty and hungry” for improved living standards.

The state governors  in their separate responses, said they will continue to  partner with the Federal Government to deliver goods and services to the people and also assured that the state governments are more than ready to provide additional hectares of land for the take off of the second phase of the National Housing Programme. 

The Minister used the occasion of the courtesy visit to request for additional lands from the states governors for the Family Hommes Funds, a social housing project from the office of the Vice President to add to the housing stock and targeting the low income earners. According to him, he was making the plea in his capacity as the chairman of the Lands and Infrastructure sub committee of the project, adding that the fund is targeting the provision of 100,000 houses annually.

Roads inspected in the states include: Rehabilitation of Nassarawa-Loko Road with Alushi Loop Phase 1, Lafia- Obi- Awe-Tunga Road in Nassarawa state,  Dualisation of Otukpo Township Road to Enugu, Rehabilitation of 9th Mile Otukpo- Makurdi, Oshegbudu- Oweto Phase 11 in Benue. Also, in Plateau State, the Minister and his team inspected the construction of the Pankshin-Ballang- Nyelleng-Sara-Lere-Gindiri road and the Pankshin-Tsphin- Gambar- Gindiri road.

The Minister also inspected the 22.5MVA capacitor bank and 1&60 MVA,132&33KVA Power transformer at the Keffi sub station in Nassarawa state and the additional 1&60 MVA transformer at the 132KV sub regional station in Jos South, Plateau state aimed at expanding power supply to Jos and its surroundings.

May

15

2018

FG Teams Up With State Governments On Infrastructure Development Nationwide – Fashola

Federal Government has no objection in States assisting to develop the road infrastructure located within their domains provided the terms of reference as provided by the Federal Government are respected. This will go a long way in deepening the dividends of democracy at the grassroots.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola stated this at the Government House, Kebbi and Jigawa States while being received by the Governors, Sen. Atiku Abubakar Bagudu and Mohammed Badaru Abubakar respectively at the just concluded 2 – day inspection tour of on-going projects in the two States which commenced 8th May, 2018.

Fashola had inspected the National Housing Programmes in the two states as well as the 108km Kalgo-Bunza-Kamba-Peka Road which terminates at the nations border with Niger Republic on the first day of his visit as well as paid courtesy calls on the two Governors.

A total of 93km stretch of the Kalgo-Bunza-Kamba-Peka-Niger Republic Border Federal road was rehabilitated with asphalt overlay by the Kebbi State Government at the sum of N1,041,753,716.17 awarded to Messrs. CGC Nigeria Limited and this has since been reimbursed by the Federal Government while 15km of the road is still outstanding. The Minister was impressed with the standard of work and noted that the Federal Government remains committed to partnering with any state government that showed concern in providing critical infrastructure for the benefit of all citizens.

While still in Kebbi, Fashola also inspected the on-going rehabilitation of Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birnin Yauri (Sokoto/Kebbi/Niger States) phase 1 Section 11: Jega-Birnin Yauri Road (186km) which is only 22.84% completed.

At the pilot scheme of the National Housing Programmes (NHP) in both states which had a total of 38 Blocks of 76 flats each, comprising 3,2 and 1 bedroom flats, with some already completed and delivered by the contractors and others at different stages of completion, Fashola stated that the Federal Government will embark on a full scale housing economy at the end of the pilot scheme which is bound to create more than the 1,000 workers presently employed at each site in the 33 States where the NHP is currently active. He further stated that it will also triple the ecosystem of trade and commerce at the sites which has improved the economies and financial capacities of the locals and communities around the NHP sites nationwide.

The Governor of Kebbi State, Sen. Artiku Abubakar Bagudu in response offered the Federal Government as much land as would be required for the full take-off of the programme and also thanked the Federal Government for the speedy response at reimbursing the State for the Kalgo-Bunza-Kamba-Peka-Niger Republic Border road. He noted that the Federal Government will seldom use the road but the indigenes of the state, surrounding states, border nations and other road users will enjoy the road.

Also responding, the Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Badaru invited the Minister to help commission 8 of the 10 completed state infrastructure stating that Mr. President had offered to commission two of the projects. He invited the Minister to also inspect the 1,300km road projects completed by his administration as a way of boosting transportation of agricultural products in the state.

Fashola concluded his 2-day tour by inspecting the on-going rehabilitation of 32.8km Hadeja-Nguru Road Phase 11 in Jigawa State by Messrs. Mothercat Nig. Ltd. which is currently at 84.93% completion.

Feb

14

2018

Remarks By H.E, Babatunde Raji Fashola, San At Meeting With Manufacturers Association Of Nigeria (Man) On Tuesday 13th February 2018

I would like to thank you all for responding to our invitation to discuss the possibility of increasing not only access to power for business, but also improving the quantity and quality of power.

For too long, the story of our manufacturing and production sector has been characterized by lack of infrastructure, including power supply, and the best we seem to have done is to talk about the problem and imagine the possibilities if the problems were removed.

Our meeting is important because we gather not to talk about the problem, we gather to solve the problem. As I said at a different forum, we have a new problem; we have more power than we can distribute.

In that context, we cannot continue to talk of lack of power; instead, we must talk about how to connect to the available and unsold power, and what it will cost to do so.

I must, therefore, thank Dr. Frank Jacobs of M.A.N for the enthusiasm with which they have embraced the idea to have this meeting.

For the records, and as a matter of fact, Nigeria’s Power Generating Companies are now able to produce 7,000 MW and the transmission company is able to transport all of it and is expanding its capacity daily.

The distribution companies have also increased their load taking capacity to 5,0000MW.

However, this leaves a gap of 2,000MW of what you manufacturers will call unsold inventory.

This is in the face of more power plants that will come to operation in 2018 as promised by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, in his New Year Day address, such as Azura, 459 MW; Afam III, 240 MW, Kaduna, 215 MW, and a host of others.

This unsold and increasing inventory is what this meeting offers to manufacturers as your critical Raw Material to reduce the cost of production.

This is why we declared the Eligible Customer Policy and NERC made the rules that guide its implementation, such that bulk power consumers purchase power from GENCOs directly, while ensuring that the business of DISCOs is protected.

For clarity, let me state that under the EPSRA of 2005, the clear intention was that Generation Companies should be able to sell power to 3 (three) classes of persons:

A. The bulk trader (NBET)
B. The Distribution Companies
C. The eligible customer

What we have largely seen are sale to the Bulk Trader.

What we gather to do today is to open the window for sales to the Eligible Customer.

There can be no better time to explore this option than when there is the inventory of unsold power, with the clear promise of more to come.

The market must open to all willing buyers.

This access to power, for manufacturing and production, is the big bridge towards diversification of the Economy.

This is what Nigeria has wanted to do since the 1970s with initiatives such as Operation Feed the Nation and Green Revolution.

But, every time we have started, we have failed to complete the cycle, either due to lack of infrastructure like power to support industries or the elixir of cheap petro-dollars that dim our focus.

Now that Agriculture is back on the right track, Mining is raring to go into industrial production, road and rail infrastructure are being constructed, the Power infrastructure must lock into the mix.

In spite of the spike in oil prices, we must complete this foundation for our Economic and Industrial liberation, by remaining focused. This is what the Buhari Administration seeks to achieve with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

This is the big boost for “Made in Nigeria.”

As you gather today with our technical team, I urge you to be open, frank and, most importantly, be flexible. The negotiations may be tough, but please never walk away from the table.

See only one reason why we must try this, and ignore all the naysayers, who only see why new things should never be done.

Every one of you here today stands at the cusp of history as you deliberate on the necessary actions to build the Bridge that Connects Nigeria’s Industrial Backbone to Electricity.

I await the outcome of this meeting expectantly, and I wish you fruitful deliberations.

Thank you very much.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing

Tuesday 13th February 2018

Dec

04

2017

National Housing Programme: In Tandem with the LOCAL CONTENT POLICY

The National Housing Programme (NHP) Project Team Leader in Enugu State, Architect. Tina Eneh, has revealed that the Policy on local content of the Federal Government has started yielding result, saying that except the locks fixed on the doors, all other materials , as well as, personnel at the Enugu site of NHP, are locally sourced.

The Team Leader, said this in Enugu while receiving the Minister of State I for Power, Works and Housing, Hon Mustapha Baba Shehuri, who was on working tour of  sites under the National Housing Programme (NHP) in the South- East geo-political zone.

Earlier in Owerri, the Imo State Capital, the Minister had called on the Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, to intervene in a land dispute between the Federal Government and the Federal University of Technology, (FUTO) ,which is threatening the scheduled delivery of houses under the NHP, in the State.

He stated that a total number of 68 houses are presently under construction, which comprises 16 units of three-bedroom flats, 28 two-bedrooms and a three-storey condominium block of 4 units of one-bedroom, 16 of two-bedroom and 4 of three-bedroom.

The Minister, having expressed his concern over the slow pace of work at the site in Owerri, promised that government will pay the contractors their money as at when due, while urging the contractors to put in more efforts in order to deliver within agreed time frame.

Similarly, in Anambra State, the Minister assured the government and the good people of the State of  Federal Government’s readiness to complete all on-going projects including those started by  previous Administrations.

The Minister also appreciated the government and the people of Anambra for making land available for the project, adding that the NHP, in the State, comprises of 3 blocks of 3 storey condominium block of 24 units (1bedroom-4 units, 2 bedroom-18units, 3bedroom -4units) He reiterated that the project being one of the campaign promises of the present Administration, the Federal Government will do all that is necessary to provide Nigerians with affordable houses and gainful employment.

In his Welcome Address, the Governor of Anambra State who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Solo Osita Chukwulobelu, expressed his gratitude to the Federal Government for finding Anambra worthy of this laudable project, promising that the state government would do the needful in providing accessible road to the construction site. He enjoined the Federal Government not to abandon the project as it will add value to the economic prosperity of the state, adding  that the commercial activities of the host community will be highly enhanced.

While in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Hon. Shehuri urged the state Governor, Egnr. David Umahi to expedient action on the release of Letters of Exchange for National Housing Programme’s land and that of the Federal Secretariat.

Apr

09

2017

The Hon. Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Hon Mustapha Baba Shehuri has said that President Muhammadu Buhari's administration is unequivocally committed to addressing the housing needs of Nigerians through the National Housing Programme (NHP). He said the Programme was part of Federal Government's campaign promise to provide critical infrastructure that would enhance the socio- economic development of the country.

The Minister, who was in Minna, Niger State, on the first leg of his inspection tour of NHP sites in the North- Central geo-political zone, stated this during a courtesy call on the Governor of the State, who was represented by the Acting Governor, Alhaji Ahmad Muhammed Ketso. He informed him that the Ministry was constructing about 80 housing units in the state in the first phase of the Programme, while promising that the state would benefit more as government continues to drive the Programme.  He thanked the Acting Governor for the magnanimity of the state in providing a 5 - acre plot of land for the NHP, adding that the location of the site is amongst the best in the country.

In his response, His Excellency said the state will continue to collaborate with the Federal Government in bringing development to the people geared towards improving their living standards. He, however, observed that  local contractors in the state were not being considered in the Programme and appealed to the Minister to consider them in subsequent phases of the Programme in accordance with the "local content" component of the laudable initiative. He also advised that the Ministry should maintain quality supervision of all its projects in its quest  to deliver  enduring and quality services to the people.

The Federal Controller of Housing, Niger State, Mr Felix Appia, while commending the collaborative efforts between the State and the Federal Government in the execution of Federal Government  projects, disclosed that the Ministry apart from the housing Programme, is also undertaking other projects such as  solar - powered boreholes and construction of classroom blocks, under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) projects and the renovation of the Federal Secretariat Complex.

The Minister later proceeded to inspect the construction site situated within the Three Arms Zone, where he met with contractors, artisans, suppliers of building materials, food and allied items vendors. They expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the laudable initiative, stating that the Programme has opened up new vistas of opportunity for them to revive their means of livelihood.

Hon. Shehuri  expressed satisfaction at the pace and quality of on-going works at the construction site, while urging the contractors to sustain the tempo and be consistent in the use of the best quality materials for the buildings. The 80 - unit Housing Estate comprises  of 4 units of one-bedroom, 52 units of two-bedroom and 24 units of three-bedroom, which are at various stages of completion.

In Ilorin, Kwara State, the Minister, while on a courtesy call on the Executive Governor, His Excellency,  Abdulfatah Ahmed, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Elder Peter Kisira (JP) reemphasize the need for collaboration between the state and the Federal Government in the provision of affordable housing to Nigerians. He equally appreciated the effort of the state government in the provision of choice land for the NHP.

While at the 72-unit on-going construction site, Hon. Shehuri, in an interactive session with Ministry's officials, contractors, artisans, labourers,  suppliers of building materials, food vendors and others, stated that the essence of NHP, apart from the provision of affordable housing, is to add value to the wellbeing of Nigerians by creating employment as well as encourage standardization of building materials which will boost local content.

The Federal Controller of Housing, Kwara state, Arc. Felix Ale, while briefing the Minister on progress of work, disclosed that the Estate comprise of 4 units of one-bedroom flats, 44 units of two-bedroom and 24 units of three-bedroom apartments, promising that with sustained funding of the project, speed and quality are assured.

Also, at the construction site of a 76-unit Housing Estate in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, the Federal Controller of Housing, Arc. Veronica Enesi gave the break down as 4 units of one-bedroom, 48 units of two-bedroom and 24 units of three-bedroom apartments. The Minister assured the contractors of prompt payment for satisfied jobs, while admonishing officials supervising the project to adhere strictly to specifications and timelines of the contract.