KATSINA (PWH Ministry’ Report)- The Minister of State, Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Baba Shehuri has commended the efforts of the President Buhari’s led administration for implementing the National Housing Programme (NHP), stating that it is a demonstration of the political will of the administration to deliver on critical infrastructure in fulfilment of its electioneering promise to Nigerians . He said that the programme will have direct impact on the people as many professionals, contractors, artisans and vendors are being engaged in the value chain.
The Minister, who was on inspection tour of the Housing project sites in the North-West geo-political region, spoke at the Katsina State NHP site located at Kwakwa, near the state capital. He expressed satisfaction at the speed and level of work at the site, noting that the contractors are quite on schedule to meet the completion date of the Project.
He assured the contractors that government was committed to addressing whatever complaints they have at the moment especially on the issue of delayed payments and the supply of products. The Minister appealed to the contractors and other workers to see the issues as the “teething problems” associated with initial projects of this magnitude and promised that such will be resolved as the Programme progresses.
One of the contractors, APLS Global Link Ltd, Mr Martins Nnodu who spoke on behalf of others, applauded government on the implementation of the Housing Programme. He said that it was a welcome development in addressing the poverty rate in the country as it has created jobs and employment for Nigerians. He however appealed to the Minister to compel relevant authorities to facilitate prompt payment of contractors as well as resolve issues bothering on specifications of the building materials, explaining that it was slowing down the pace of work.
The zonal co-ordinator of the Programme for the North -West in the Ministry, Arc Mohammed Dadi, while briefing the Minister said, Katsina was a pace setter in the Programme as the contractors have shown great commitment to meeting up with the timelines for completion of the houses.
The site has a total of 76 units comprising of 4 units of 1 Bedroom, 48 units of 2 Bedrooms and 24 units of 3Bedrooms. Also, 19 contractors are handling the projects. Over 1,454 labourers are engaged at the site and 112 food vendors with 80 suppliers supplying various building materials to the site.
The Minister also inspected the site at Dutse, Jigawa State where he expressed satisfaction with the work so far done at the site and urged the contractors not to relent on their efforts to deliver. He said the Federal government was committed to reducing the housing deficit in the country and implored Nigerians to continue to support government’s effort in delivering democratic dividends especially in the housing sector.
Also briefing the Minister, the NHP Team leader and Federal Controller, Jigawa State, Arc Felix Ohiambe said, 19 contractors were engaged with over 400 labourers working at the site including food vendors and petty traders. Professionals artisans, include: plumbers, carpenters, electricians, etc. are also not left out.
He said the Programme is a “job creating project” and thanked the administration for implementing the NHP. He added that the project has boosted the economy of the state and increased the quantum of money in circulation.
A total of 76 housing units are also being constructed comprising: 4 units, 1 Bedroom, 48 units, 2 Bedroom and 24 units, 3 Bedrooms in Jigawa too.
