In a bid to deliver on his promise to improve the welfare of Nigerians through decent and affordable shelter, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Thursday 8 February 2024 directed the Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and that of the Ministry of Works, David Umahi to work towards creating the access roads and opening up the areas leading to all Renewed Hope Cities and Estates sites in the FCT and across the country.
Performing the launch of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme which will see to the delivery of 50,000 housing units of various house types in the first phase, President Tinubu emphasized the need to make such cities and estates accessible, liveable and safe in order to decongest city centres. He noted that new city developments are also an important instrument of massive job creation and economic development, noting that “at 25 direct and indirect jobs per house, the 20,000 housing units planned for the Federal Capital Territory alone will create 500,000 jobs.”
The launch coincided with the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of 20,000 housing units in the FCT, beginning with a pilot site for 3,112 units, at the Karsana District of the FCT. The project, being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement, is for a total of 100,000 housing units across the country, beginning with the first phase in the FCT.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the president reiterated his administration’s resolve to provide decent and affordable housing for Nigerians. The statement read, “our goal is to increase the sense of togetherness, improve health and productivity of our citizens and reduce pressure on city centres. On this note, I am today directing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the Minister of Works to provide access roads to all Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Projects to increase accessibility and livability starting with this site in Karsana.
“This is because my administration believes that every Nigerian deserves to have access to shelter that is affordable and adequate,” he said.
The statement further read, “under this plan, integrated living communities that will redefine the essence of residential living for Nigerians nationwide will be built, emphasizing that his vision is to build dynamic, integrated, and self-sustaining communities, equipped with amenities to enhance the quality of living for residents
“This includes well-connected access and internal roads, provision of reliable and uninterrupted electricity, healthcare facilities to offer accessible and quality medical services and educational institutions to provide learning environments that nurture knowledge and skills.
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‘3,112 Housing-unit’: Tinubu Says Every Nigerian Deserves Decent and Affordable Housing
The president applauded the innovativeness of the Housing Ministry in taking advantage of Public Private Partnership (PPP) collaborations that attract domestic, foreign, and diaspora investments. He said the federal government aims to “design and implement incentive schemes, boost our capital market while enhancing the governance and risk management frameworks to ensure their stability, transparency and integrity”.
He emphasised his resolve to face the housing challenge with the clarity of purpose and determination that is required to break all the barriers that stand in the way of success. “That is why I took the historic decision of separating the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development from Works so it can be fully aligned towards tackling the nation’s massive housing problem. That is also why I have appointed experienced professionals with proven track records of delivering in the housing sector to lead the Ministry,” he said.
President Tinubu also assured of his commitment to providing the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development with the support and political will required to ensure that his administration makes a historic difference in the housing and urban development landscape of the country.
Expressing excitement that the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has awarded contracts for the construction of 200 housing units in twelve (12) states (two per geo-political zone) as Renewed Hope Estates, he assigned the Minister to proceed with the groundbreaking ceremonies in the twelve (12) locations, stating that the estates must be completed before the end of 2024.
The president added that in the next couple of weeks he will also be performing the groundbreaking of a similar project to deliver 2,500 housing units at the Ibeju–Lekki coastal city, Lagos.
“I am also delighted to hear that the Renewed Hope Cities are being developed in three locations: Kano 1,500 housing units; Lagos 2,500 housing units and Abuja 3,112 under a variety of funding arrangements. The Ministry’s plan to kickstart a National Urban and Slum Upgrading Programme covering 26 sites nationwide is also commendable,” he said.
“This project will also provide a practical demonstration of cross-subsidisation where out of the 1,500 housing units to be funded by FMBN, 400 will be sold at concessionary rates to low and medium income Nigerians who are members of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress,” the statement concludes.
