By; DAHIRU SULEIMAN, Dutse
President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) has assured Nigerians that his administration is committed to providing acceptable, and affordable shelter, as well as improving human conditions in line with the present administration’s change mantra.
He expressed this through his representative, Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Sulaiman Adamu at the commissioning of 76 unit houses under phase 1 National Mass Housing Programme of the Federal Housing Schemes.
According to President Buhari, the inauguration of these houses was in response to those who have long aspired to own homes and that dream has come true with the project.
” We certainly cannot meet every one 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 on the lives of many Nigerians,” he said.
He commended Jigawa State Government for its cooperation towards the successful completion and commissioning of the project, which will help to improve and promote the welfare of the people of the state.
Also speaking, Minister of Works and Housing, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Bashir Alkali said the houses are part of President Buhari’s developmental agenda in addressing housing needs of Nigerians, where the Federal government inaugurated a pragmatic National Housing Programme for the construction of acceptable and affordable houses nationwide.
“With the commissioning of these 76 housing units comprising of 48 units of 2-bedroom bungalows, 24 units of 3-bedroom bungalows, and 4 units of 1-bedroom bungalows, the building contracts were awarded in November 2016 at a cost of N727,455,959.59.
“The scope of works includes construction of 76 housing units, provision of infrastructure which includes construction of internal roads and drainages, water reticulation and construction of a central borehole with overhead tanks and provision of electricity to energize the estate.
“Over 1,200 building contractors have been engaged under phases I, II, and III of the programme since inception in 2016 and over 14,500 and 50,140 direct and indirect jobs were created.
” During the period under review, the Federal Ministry of Works is undertaking the construction of over 6,000 housing units in 45 sites, out of which 2,465 units have been completed in 35 states and FCT,” he said.
