President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday inaugurated 80 housing units in Kaduna, constructed by his administration through the National Housing Programme and in Ondo Buhari also inaugurated the first phase of the Federal Housing Project under the National Housing programme in Osogbo, the Osun state capital.

The President, who was represented by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Muhammad Abubakar, in Kaduna and represented by the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola in Ondo

Buhari said the housing estate was part of the change promised Nigerians by his administration.

He said that the government remained committed to reaching every Nigerian through its infrastructure development agenda, irrespective of social status.

Buhari said that infrastructure development was the best way to drive micro, small and medium scale businesses as well as the economy.

“In the process, ordinary Nigerians at the bottom of the pyramid such as artisans, builders, skilled and unskilled workers and food vendors were not left out of this economic value chain.

“These are some of the people our country remains committed to move towards prosperity and away from poverty.

“We are already reaching them by providing opportunities for employment for those who were hitherto unemployed.

“We certainly cannot meet everyone of those Nigerians in person, but our economic policies and investment in infrastructure such as this National Housing Programme and others will reach and positively impact many of them,” he said.

Buhari explained that the housing programme was initiated to enable those who for long aspired to own a home, to do so with ease.

Earlier, Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said that similar houses had been constructed by the federal government in 34 states.

Fashola, represented by Mr Emmanuel Hangeior, said the 80 housing unit comprised 48 units of two bedroom, 28 units of three bedroom and four units of one bedroom bungalows.

He said the selection of beneficiaries was done openly, devoid of any discrimination through the national housing portal https://nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng.

“Allocations will be made on the basis of those who apply and pay on a first come, first serve basis.

“While we welcome those who can afford to pay outright, it is not a condition for eligibility and we have offered flexible payment options like mortgages and rent to own which we encourage applicants to pursue,” he said.

Fashola thanked the Federal Executive Council and National Assembly committees on housing and the contractors for contributing to the success of the national housing programme.

The President, who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, said the housing project comprises of 72 completed buildings of different categories

Buhari said the housing project was one of the many projects undertaken by his administration since 2016.

He said his administration was aware of housing challenges in the country and had since embarked on the construction of housing estates across the country to tackle housing deficits in Nigeria.
“We are not unaware of the challenge of housing in the country, especially in the urban areas, many of which are overcrowded in unhealthy ways.

“It is our firm resolves to surmount the challenge in every way possible.
“This housing estate, as constructed in all the states of the federation, is one of the ways we are addressing the challenge.

“With the support of the state government of Osun, which provided the land, which was once an unused piece of land has come alive and will now provide shelter for Nigerians” the President said.

Buhari further thanked a former governor of the state, Rauf Aregbesola, for partnering with the Federal Government in providing land for the building of the housing estate in the state.

He advised the house owners and residents of the estate to maintain it in the best possible way.

Earlier, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said the Federal government had completed the project, comprising of 72 housing units.

Fashola said the housing project comprises of 24 units in condominium, four- one bedroom, 16- two bedroom, four- three bedroom, 28 units of two bedroom and 20 units of three-bedroom bungalows.

The Minister, who was represented by Mr Olasunkanmi Dunmoye, Director, Urban and Regional Development, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, said the housing units were being allocated to members of the public in a non-discriminatory way.

He said anyone could apply for the houses by opening the National Housing Portal at https://nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng

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Fashola said this was to ensure that those who are interested were not hindered by any artificial obstacles.
The minister said allocations would be made on the basis of those who apply and pay on a first come, first served basis.

Also speaking , Mr Chukwunwike Uzo, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, explained that the housing programme was being implemented by the Ministry of Works and Housing, under the leadership of Babatunde Fashola.

Uzo, represented by Mr Mohammed Mohammed, stated that the housing project was part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s developmental agenda of addressing housing needs in Nigeria.

He said the Federal Government inaugurated a pragmatic National Housing Programme (NHP) for the construction of acceptable and affordable houses nationwide and that the first phase of the programme commenced in 2016, in 34 states and the FCT.

“It is a programme borne out of the present government’s desire to provide affordable housing for its citizenry.
Mr Agunbiade Nathaniel, Osun Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, who spoke on behalf of the state government, thanked the Federal government for the housing project in the state. (NAN)