Build according to specifications, President Tinubu task developers, performs ground breaking ceremony of 250 Renewed Hope Housing Units In Abia,
The ground breaking ceremony of the 250-HOUSING UNIT RENEWED HOPE ESTATE under the flagship of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been performed in Abia state with a charge on the developers, Messrs Camp David Global Synergy Ltd, and Messrs Finuch Investment Ltd, to ensure that they build according to specifications.
Performing the ceremony on behalf of the President at Umuoche in Bende L.G.A, the MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ARC. AHMED MUSA DANGIWA warned the developers in very strong terms to be committed to delivering quality work as per the contractual terms to ensure durability, as he WILL NOT TOLERATE SUBSTANDARD WORK.
He further tasked the developers to ensure that the project would be ready within three months,”so that we can begin the process of getting Abia indigenes to purchase and move in”.
His words, “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 and rent-to-own schemes provided by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, and outright purchase options for those who can afford to pay upfront.
“Statistics show that the construction of one housing unit creates an average of 25 direct and indirect jobs. So, for these 250 housing units, we hope to create jobs for over 6,500 people in various trades, from professionals like architects, civil engineers, and mechanical engineers to masons, plumbers, tilers, and electricians. This is in addition to the economic activities, including those selling food, supplying blocks, and providing building materials.
“The value chain effect of construction work on this site is significant and creates a positive economic impact. I want to state that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, we at the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development are very particular about giving Nigerians value for money. We are diligently funding these projects from the N50 billion 2023 Supplementary Budget that Mr. President approved for the Ministry to ensure sustainability, quality, and geographic spread.
“I want to assure states that have not been covered under the 2023 Supplementary Budget will be included in the Ministry’s 2024 Budget on the condition that they provide land at no cost to enhance affordability”.
He appreciated Governor Alex Otti, for promptly granting the request for the provision of land at no cost, adding that this singular action has helped to reduce as much as 30 percent of the cost of the units in the estate for the benefit of potential homeowners.
He described the ceremony as 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 Tinubu launched in February with the commissioning of a 3,112-housing unit in Karsana, Abuja.
According to him, under Phase One of the programme, the Federal Government planned 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 estates will have 250 units per site in the remaining thirty (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”, he added.
Furthermore, he disclosed the initial preparatory work for the construction of the Federal Secretariat at Ekeoba, Ohuhu clan in Umuahia North L.G.A, is ongoing, adding that the actual construction work will begin soonest at the site.
He said that the awarded contract for the Secretariat was in line with plans of the government to have a strong presence in each state of the country.
Speaking before he laid the foundation,the State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti who was represented by the his deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, who applauded the project said, the state policy on housing was in agreement with that of the Federal Government for the country.
“We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this laudable project. This project will create jobs for Abians and keep our youths busy.
“We are trying our best to create the ease of doing business in Abia State. We will assure you as a government that everybody working in this very project, that the security that you need in making sure that this very project is delivered and our people take possession of this, will be guaranteed”, Otti said.
Otti who said his administration would continue to promote the importance of shelter, which is one of the three most basic needs of man, and which cannot be over-emphasized, thanked the President for the decision to ensure that Nigerians have roofs over their heads.
In his speech, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Tijjani Gwarzo represented by Engr. Nwofo Samuel, Director Engineering Services, stated that the broad aim of the Federal Government through the Renewed Hope Estate was to turn the country into a huge construction site, unlock the power of the housing sector to create jobs, boost economic development, and help achieve President Tinubu’s goal to build a one trillion dollars economy.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, also pointed out that the government’s strides in the housing sector was in alignment with President Tinubu’s vision on the provision of affordable housing to Nigerians.”
Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Arc. Ugochukwu Otti, disclosed that the Renewed Hope Estate in Abia 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.
He said that project was designed in a way that makes them affordable by using organic designs to allow for future expansion as the income of beneficiaries increases.
According to him, the estate would be well serviced with network of roads, articulated water system and electricity.
Speaking on behalf of Bende community, the Ohuga IV of Bende, Eze Anthony Chukwu expressed delight that the project will stimulate the economy of the area.