The Federal Government on Wednesday commenced ground breaking for the construction of 1, 250 housing units across four states in Northern Nigeria.
The states are Katsina, Kano, Yobe and Gombe.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mallam Ahmed Dangiwa, made the revelation in Katsina during the groundbreaking ceremony of 250 housing units under the Federal Government Renewed Hope Estate project.
He declared “In total, we are breaking ground for 1, 250 housing units across four states in Northern Nigeria.
“After here, we will be in Kano to do the same groundbreaking for 500 housing units, 250 units in Yobe, and another 250 units in Gombe.”
The Minister emphasised that the Renewed Hope Estate in Katsina comprised 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 pointed out that the housing units have been designed in a way that make them easy and affordable for people to own.
“We have used organic designs to allow for future expansion as the income of beneficiaries increases.
“What this means is that the 1-bedroom can be expanded to 2 bedrooms and a 2-bedroom expandable to 3 bedrooms as the owner’s financial situation improves or he grows in service,” the Minister added.
He said the government had already awarded contracts for 3, 500 housing units in thirteen states to demonstrate the government commitment to the success of the project.
He assured that states not covered under the 2023 Supplementary Budget, will be included in the 2024 Budget.
The Minister implored all state governments yet to provide land for the project to earnestly do so.
The Minister also tasked state developers to ensure that their buildings are according to specifications, warning that substandard work would not be tolerated.
He stressed “We also want to have this work finished within the next three months so that we can begin the process of offtake for Katsina indigenes.”
The minister also disclosed the modalities fashioned out by the government to enable Nigerians with sources of income and livelihood to own the homes when they are completed.
He explained “These include single-digit mortgage loans with up to 30-year terms provided by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Rent-to-Own schemes, and Outright Purchase options for those who can afford to pay upfront,” he said.
He added that President Tinubu, had earlier in the year,launched the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates project with a 3,112-housing unit project in Karsana, Abuja.
He said “Under Phase One, we plan to deliver a total of 50, 000 housing units across Nigeria.
“The cities will have between 500- 1, 000 housing units per site in one location 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 30 states.”
The minister also said that each housing unit is expected to create “an average of 25 direct and indirect jobs, translating to approximately 6, 250 jobs for the 250 units here in Katsina alone”.
Katsina Governor, Dikko Radda, in his remarks at the event, commended the federal government for initiating the project which he said would also go a long way in creating jobs for people .
He assured that his administration was ready to support the federal government in providing shelter for Nigerians.
