FIC Report (Edo State) – The estate located at Egba junction, along Benin – Auchi express way consists of 68 housing units and some infrastructure which includes internal roads and drainages, water and electricity.
The housing units consist of 28 units of 2 – bedroom bungalow; 16 units of 3 – bedroom bungalow, 24 units in condominium (1bedroom – 4, 2 bedroom – 16, 3 bedroom – 4).
In his speech, President Buhari who was represented by the Hon. Minister of health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said that the provision of the estate is a fulfillment of part of the electioneering promises made by his party.
He disclosed that the project is an example of developmental benefits which inter-governmental collaboration can produce and expressed optimism that with the provision of more lands the federal government can do more.
The President also said that the progressive ideals of his administration seeks to improve the human condition. ”This housing estate has achieved that in many ways”. He added.
The President further stated that the desire of his administration to improve human condition and its message of change has provided an opportunity to redeem the pledge made to members of Nigeria’s National team, the Super Eagles who won the African Cup of Nations in1994.
“As the saying goes, it is better late than never and I have approved allocation to redeem the outstanding allocation to 22 members of the Super Eagles in National Housing Estate located in their state of choice, and keys and title documents will be handed over at the commissioning in their states while the remainder of the housing is allocated to willing members of the public”. The President declared.
It should be noted that in 1994, the Federal Government pledged to donate houses to members of the Nigerian National Football Team, the Super Eagles for winning the African Cup of Nations in 1994. None of the past administrations redeemed that pledge. However 28 years later, President Buhari redeemed the pledge by allocating houses to the affected ex-footballers.
The President further stated that in all the states where the projects have been provided, contracts have also been awarded to small businesses to maintain and keep the estates in good condition.
He commended the State Government for donating the land for the project and the host community for its cooperation towards the completion and commissioning of the estate.
After the official commissioning of the estate, Dr. Ehanire in company of Governor Godwin Obaseki and other guests handed over the keys and title documents of a flat in the estate to the wife of one of the members of the 1994 squad of the Super Eagles, Late Mr. Thompson Oliha.
In his speech, the Governor of Edo state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki called for increase in collaboration between the State and Federal Government, as well as other stakeholders to address the housing deficit in the country.
He promised that his Government will collaborate with the Federal Government to achieve the desired goals.
“While considering the gains of this project, it is pertinent to note and underscore the need to develop other aspects of the housing industry that will help us move at a much faster pace and one of them is mortgages. Unless we introduce a virile, realistic and affordable mortgage arrangement we will not be able to develop as we want to”. The Governor advised.
In his remark, the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN who was represented by the Director/HOD(Public Buildings and Housing Development) Arc. Solomon. Z. Labafilo stated that the housing project is the outcome of a national survey conducted by the Ministry of Works and Housing to find out the types of Houses Nigerians desire.
Mr. Fashiola revealed that the housing units have been offered to members of the general public in a non – discriminatory way by opening the National Housing Portal at https://nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng/ to ensure that interested members of the public have access to them and allocations made on the basis of first come first served. Those who can’t make outright payment for the housing units have the opportunity to enjoy flexible payment options like mortgages and rent to own.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr. Bashir Nura Alkali, represented by the Zonal Director, South – South, Arc. Newton Okoroafor explained that President Muhammadu Buhari’s developmental agenda of addressing housing needs in Nigeria led to the inauguration of the National Housing Programme (NHP) for the construction of acceptable and affordable houses nationwide. He disclosed that his Ministry is promoting local content in line with the Executive Orders 3 and 5 and that the use of available local building materials in the NHP has stimulated the economy through the production and use of the materials. He stressed that his Ministry has successfully constructed housing schemes under the programme in 35 states with the exemption of Lagos State where the State Government has not donated land for the project.
BY BESIRU ENAKHIMION.
FIC, BENIN.
