By Cajetan Mmuta
Members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) Thursday expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at NARD Housing Estate in Isiagu, near Awka the Anambra State capital.

The doctors stated this when they visited the project site as part of the activities at the ongoing Ordinary General Meeting in the state.

National President of NARD, Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, who led the delegation lauded the developer, Daniel-Bob Ltd for helping members of the association to realize their dream of owning their own houses.

Okhuaihesuyi said it was impressive to see that the structure had reached varying stages of execution including lintel within three months of effective take-off of the project.

He expressed happiness that the NARD Housing Scheme came alive during his administration after about four failed attempts by the previous administrations.

Okhuaihesuyi said the scheme was to help doctors own their homes and check brain drain by activating the mortgage system and accessing the National Housing Scheme.

He said apart from making it unattractive for doctors to leave the country, NARD also wants to make it attractive for those in the diaspora to return home as housing was a basic necessity for doctors to work well.

“This is part of our promise to our members and also a measure of checking brain drain among doctors, members are keying in into the scheme and we are also encouraging our colleagues outside to join.

“What we are doing here is worth N25 million in Abuja but here a fully detached 4-bedroom apartment with a Boys Quarter is being sold for N15 million

“It is funded by our contributions to the National Housing Fund through the Federal Mortgage Bank in partnership with Daniel-Bob as a developer, it’s a way of reducing the burden of doctors to owning their our houses

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“We have come to see for ourselves,  and we are impressed with the progress so far within the lifespan of the project, we congratulate those who have joined and encourage others to key in because it’s a reality,” he said.

Chief Daniel Orji, Managing Directors of Daniel-Bob Ltd said the NARD leadership had done well by brokering an agreement to build 200 units of houses for their members in all the states of the federation and FCT.

Orji said it was a positive step that could boost the efficiency of the Nigerian health sector by making most Nigerian doctors work in Nigeria.

He however called on the Federal Government to check the rising cost of basic building materials like cement and iron rods to enable the housing industry to thrive.

He said the prevailing cost of materials had made it impossible for the average worker to own housing and appealed that subsidy and waiver should be given to building materials.