…….President Tinubu Launches Nationwide Renewed Hope Cities And Estates Programme.
…….Performs Groundbreaking For 20,000 Housing Renewed Hope City Projects in FCT.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Thursday February 8 2023, officially launched the Nationwide Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme of the Federal Government. The launch was done at a well-attended grand ceremony at the Karsana District of the Federal Capital Territory. The Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Project is an initiative of the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
The Ministry plans to construct 50,000 housing units of various house types in the first phase using various funding sources, including budgetary allocations, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and Public-Private Partnership, among others.
Speaking during the launch, President Tinubu stressed the importance of Housing to man, describing it as a fundamental right and the responsibility of government to its citizens. He commended the Housing Ministry for its efforts towards achieving the Renewed Hope mandate for housing and urban development.
“I listened to the Minister say they are committed to transforming Nigeria into a giant construction site of Housing units. He has shown that he is an exemplary champion that understands how to use housing as a catalyst for economic resurgence and national development. We must all be positive about our country and work together so that we can win together”, he said.
The launch coincided with the groundbreaking for a 20,000 housing unit Renewed Hope Cities project at the Karsana District of the Federal Capital Territory, being developed under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement with a Consortium of companies.
The president commended the Housing Ministry for taking the initiative to involve the private sector through PPP arrangements, underscoring the immense role the private sector can play in helping to achieve the future that Nigerians can be proud of.
Also speaking, Hon. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa assured the president and Nigerians of the commitment of the ministry to drive the Renewed Hope Vision for Housing and Urban Development and make it a reality through the provision of decent, affordable, and quality homes with infrastructure that support dignified living for Nigerians, in the Federal Capital Territory, State Capitals, and across the country.
“That is why we have planned and commenced the actualization of this vision under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Development Programme, which your Excellency is officially launching today. Under phase One, we plan to deliver a total of 50,000 housing units across Nigeria. The Cities will have 1,000 housing units per site in one location in each of the six geo-political zones in the country and FCT, while the Estates will have 500 housing units per site in the remaining thirty (30) States”, he said.
The Minister explained that the projects have been conceptualised and designed as integrated living communities which will accommodate citizens from all income brackets, with units comprising one-bedroom blocks of flats, two-bedroom blocks of flats and three- bedroom blocks of flats; two-, three- and four-bedroom terraces, four-bedroom duplexes, and five-bedroom duplexes.
“We are also on the verge of breaking ground for 2,500 Renewed Hope City housing units at the Ibeju-Lekki Coastal City, Lagos, the development of a 500-housing unit Renewed Hope Estate in Kano and 250 housing units in twelve (12) states (2 per geopolitical zone) as Renewed Hope Estates. These amount to 6,000 housing units under the 2023 Supplementary Budget”, he said.
Speaking further, Arc. Dangiwa stated that the ministry plan to develop another mega housing project in Gbagadalape, a boundary town between Nasarawa State and the FCT, adjacent the Abacha and another collaboration with the Ministry of Information which has a vast land in Lagos in a prime location to develop a Renewed Hope City, and several others.
Accordingly, Dangiwa thanked the president for approving the N100 billion in the 2023 supplementary budget and another N18.9billion in the 2024 budget for the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates and Urban and Slum Upgrading programmes.
He added that the Ministry is set to deliver 7,500 affordable housing units that will cater to the average Nigerian worker. He also commended the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for his commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda for Housing and Urban Development and sought his assistance in opening up the access roads to the various locations to enable the Ministry begin work.
“These expansions and siting of cities on the outskirts of the FCT will help decongest the city center, lessen pressure on infrastructure and create jobs in the FCT”, he added.
The 20,000 housing unit project in Karsana is being developed under a PPP arrangement comprising a consortium of developers, including Continental Civil and General Construction Company Limited and Ceezali Limited.
Under the arrangement, the developers will finance the project to completion while the Ministry will provide off-takers using a mix of affordable options, including Rent-to-Own and Mortgage, while also creating an enabling environment.
Salisu Haiba Badamasi
Director Information
