Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has stated that the numerous economic activities taking place on construction sites has the value chain effect that creates positive economic impact in the society.
Dangiwa spoke in Sokoto at the ground breaking of 250 units of Renewed Hope Housing Estate, Monday, May 27th, 2024.
The groundbreaking was part of the Nationwide Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, officially flagged off in February with the groundbreaking for a 3,112 housing units in Karsana, Abuja.
The Sokoto ground-breaking was one in a series of the ground-breaking ceremonies embarked upon by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. The ministry was earlier in Katsina, Kano, Yobe and Gombe States.
On jobs creation through the housing construction, the minister averred that, statistics has shown that the construction of one housing unit creates an average of 25 direct and indirect jobs.
“So, for these 250 housing units, we are hoping to create jobs for over 6,500 people in various trades. From professionals like architects, civil engineers, mechanical engineers to masons, plumbers, tilers, electricians etc,” He stated.
He explained that, in housing construction there were numerous economic activities such as food vendors, blocks and cements suppliers, and other building materials suppliers that were being engaged and earning their daily life sustenance.
The Minister reiterated the passion of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grow the economy and ensure job creation in the country which he said the housing sector was one of the many avenues.
“With this housing programme, we plan to unlock the massive potential of housing development to create jobs, uplift lives and boost economic development”, he remarked.
On the project, Dangiwa explained that the funding is from the N50 billion 2023 Supplementary Budget that the President has approved for the Ministry towards ensuring sustainability, quality and geographic spread.
He commended the Governor of Sokoto State for providing the land, and urged other state governors yet to provide land to do so, assuring that States that have not been covered under the 2023 Supplementary Budget, will be included in the 2024 budget of the Ministry.
The Minister also charged the Contractors, Messrs Jewel Construction and Engineering Services, Abidcas Global Ventures Ltd, LY Construction and General Enterprises Ltd, and Three MPlus Integrated Services Ltd to ensure that they build according to specifications and deliver within three months timeline given.
On the housing units, Dangiwa explained that the Renewed Hope Estate 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, designed in a way that makes it easy and affordable for people to offtake.
He also stated “We have used organic designs to allow for future expansion as the income of beneficiaries increases. What this means is that 1-bedroom can be expanded to 2 bedrooms and 2-bedrooms can also be expanded to 3 bedrooms as the owner’s financial situation improves or his family grows.”
The Minister said that the Ministry has 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, rent-to-own provided by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, and Outright Purchase options for those who can afford to pay upfront.
In his address, Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto represented, by his deputy, Alhaji Idris Muhammad Gobir, observed that the Federal Government through the Ministry has taken on the housing challenge with renewed vigour and is demonstrating strong commitment in the delivery of affordable housing and urban development.
He, while expressing gratitude to the Minister for making Sokoto state one of the early beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, noted that the state has also embarked on implementing several housing projects to provide housing for the people.
Governor Ahmad further assured the Ministry of all the necessary support needed to ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated timelines.
On their part, the contractors thanked the ministry for prompt financial mobilization and promised to adhere to quality standards and stipulated time frames.
“We want to assure the Minister that the project will be completed in three months,” said a spokesperson for the developers.
The ground-breaking across the five states, so far brings the total housing units to a total of 1,500 housing units on the first leg of the exercise.
The ground-breaking will continue in the other States selected under phase one across the various geo-political zones.
Badamasi Salisu Haiba
Director (Information National Orientation)
