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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The federal government has flagged off the construction of Renewed Hope Housing Estate in Benue state with a charge on the developers to deliver quality job within the specified three months time.
The 250-housing unit Renewed Hope Estate is located at km18, along Gboko road, Makurdi the State’s capital.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, the Minister Of Housing And Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, said the ceremony is a continuation of the nationwide groundbreaking exercise for housing projects under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu launched in February with the commissioning of a 3,112-housing unit in Karsana, Abuja.
Dangiwa who was represented by the Minister of State, Alhaji Tijjani Gwarzo, said under Phase One of this programme, the federal government plans to deliver a total of 50,000 housing units across Nigeria.
“This includes 7 Renewed Hope Cities that will have between 500 and 1,000 housing units per site in each of the six geopolitical zones in the country and the FCT, while the Renewed Hope Estates will have 250 units per site in the remaining 30 states.
“With this housing programme, we plan to unlock the massive potential of housing development to create jobs, uplift lives, and boost economic development.
“This is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President to stimulate inclusive growth, lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty, and build a $1 trillion economy.
He stated that under the renewed hope agenda, “we are implementing a zero tolerance for uncompleted projects.
“This estate comprises 50 units of 1-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, 150 units of 2-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, and 50 units of 3-bedroom semi-detached bungalows.
We have designed these housing units in a way that makes them affordable for people to acquire by using organic designs to allow for future expansion as the income of beneficiaries increases.
“This means that a 1-bedroom unit can be expanded to 2 bedrooms, and a 2-bedroom unit can also be expanded to 3 bedrooms as the owner’s financial situation improves or their family grows.
The Minister charge the contractors; Messrs. Mahfas Investment Ltd, Messrs. Messers Amsopos Enterprises Ltd
to ensure that they build according to specifications.
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He emphasized that the Government will not tolerate substandard work from any developer but will explore all necessary legal means, to ensure that they deliver as per the contract.
“if you collect government money, you must do the work.
We also want the developers to adhere to the timeline and finish within three months so that we can begin the process of getting Benue indigenes to purchase and move in.”
“To ensure affordability, we have created different options to enable everyone who has a source of income and livelihood to own these homes when they are completed. These include single-digit mortgage loans that beneficiaries can repay over 30 years, rent-to-own schemes provided by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, and outright purchase options for those who can afford to pay upfront.
He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the vision and the political will necessary to make a difference in terms of delivering decent and quality housing to Nigerians.
“The Groundbreaking ceremonies for these projects demonstrate that Mr. President and indeed the federal government of Nigeria is committed to fulfilling promises and responsibilities to all Nigerians,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Marcus Okobiyu, represented by the Director of Quantity Survey, Samuel Temitope, who noted that the President intends to turn the country into a housing hub to boost economic growth, he said the construction would provide jobs to jobs for carpenters, bricklayers, tilers electricians and several other labourers as well as a robust business for suppliers of building materials.
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia said adequate housing is a necessity and appreciated the President and Minister for mobilizing developers to site urging them to keep the good work they are doing for the country.
He also expressed confidence that the estate would provide quality and affordable housing to the Benue people while the job it brings would boost the economic fortunes of residents.
Governor Alia who was represented by the Commissioner for Works, Housing and Urban Development, Hon Tiza Imojime, pledged to provide adequate security to the team saying they are in safe hands.
He said his office will provide all necessary support to ensure that the project is completed on time and according to specified standards.
The District Head of Mbawa, in Guma LGA, Chief Joseph Ortese appreciated the federal government for bringing the project that would benefit his people and pledged to provide them with more land if need be.
He assured them of adequate security saying he is happy that their children would be given work while the construction lasts.
