The Federal Government has commissioned a total of 372 housing units under the National Housing Programme (NHP) in five States as its plan “Season of Completion and Impact in the Housing Sector” in the last two weeks.
In his keynote address at the commissioning ceremonies, President Buhari reiterated the commitment of his administration to the fulfillment of its campaign promise of Change to the people of Nigerian in 2015 adding, “The housing estates being commissioned today is an example of the fulfillment of the promise of Change we made”.
President Buhari who was represented at the commissioning by the Ministers from the respective beneficiary states also stated that the housing estates was a clear manifestation of the progressive ideals of his administration to improve the human condition of Nigerians.
Out of the 372 housing units delivered, Kaduna State got 80 units, while Kogi State got 76 and Osun State 72 units of houses which are in the categories of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom bungalows and condominiums as is also being built in 34 states of the Federation in the first Phase.
Others include Nasarawa State where President Buhari, represented by the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Hon. Muhammed Abdullahi, commissioned 76 housing units located in Lafia, and in Delta represented by the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, commissioned 68 housing units all under the NHP.
The President expressed delight that the desire and commitment of the administration towards improving the human condition was gaining more impetus as jobs were being created for the teeming populace via the housing estates, stating that people who have aspired for a long time to own a home were now seeing their dreams come true with the housing projects.
“The business activities going on at the sites of these housing projects have added value to the human condition, and Nigerians, especially at the bottom of the pyramid such as artisans, builders, skilled and unskilled workers and food vendors, are not left out of this economic value chain
In his own remarks, the Minister of Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, noted that there is a great leap in the completion of projects all over the Federation as the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari draws to an end adding that the houses commissioned were open for subscription to the general public “in a non-discriminatory way through the National Housing Portal to ensure transparency of bidding processes in acquiring the houses”.
He maintained that “we welcome those who can afford to pay outright but it is not a condition for eligibility because we have offered other flexible payment options like Mortgages and Rent-to-Own which we encourage applicants to pursue”.
