In a bid to make building materials affordable and accessible towards the democratization of homeownership as envisioned by the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the housing sector, plans are underway for a robust partnership between the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and NG Kutahya Seramik, a leading Turkish ceramic production company.
The plans were made known by the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Bank, Shehu Usman Osidi, during a recent courtesy visit by the NG Kutahya Seramik team to the FMBN Management.
Emphasizing the significance of such collaborations to the operations of the Bank, Osidi enunciated the Bank’s readiness to provide the enabling environment for the ceramics company to thrive.
He said, “We have land in Nigeria and the new government is in the process of establishing the Building Materials Manufacturing Hub in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country, championed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.”
“We are willing to provide the enabling environment in terms of land space and choice of actual location for your projects,” he stated.
Recent reports from the built environment indicate that Nigeria is battling high cost of building materials, with its attendant impact on housing supply in the country. While the Housing Minister has undertaken key steps to improve the trend, he recently voiced out the fact that the situation is capable of exacerbating the housing deficit crisis in the country.
The partnership, when actualised, will bring relief to developers by lowering building costs.
The MD/CE further noted that the Government is working towards enhancing local production, which requires huge capital, skills and expertise. He urged the Turkish investors to take advantage of the opportunity for their benefit and that of Nigeria and Nigerians.
In a presentation, the Export Director of NG Kutahya Seramik, Mr. Burcin Yolasan, introduced the Company as a pioneer of the world ceramic industry, with innovative dimensions and designs, which create the difference.
Mr. Yolasan outlined the Company’s product range to include glazed porcelain ceramics, floor and wall ceramics, slabs, UV panels, PVD coated ceramics, double charge and new generation anti-slip tiles.
He added that the partnership will not only have Nigeria as a consumer of the products but as a producer. He noted that while making Nigeria a sales point, the partnership will also grow the gross domestic product in terms of taxes and export duties.
Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services, Mr. Ibidapo Odojukan and Executive Director, Loans and Mortgages, Dr. Muhammad Sani Abdu, welcomed the partnership, noting that Nigeria has the necessary resources to drive the initiative and the Bank is strategically placed to maximally catalyse the process.
