………………..10,000 housing units across the nation.
…………………Health Ministry, FMBN, REDAN, PPP involved.
………………..Wellbeing of health care workers, a priority of Renewed Hope Agenda.
Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in collaboration with the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) plans to construct 10,000 housing units RENEWED HOPE MEDIC CITIES across the country in order to meet the housing needs of the Nation’s medical workers.
Housing Minister, Ahmed Dangiwa disclosed the plan during his meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Thursday, 23rd, January, 2025 in Abuja.
He appreciated the commitment and sacrifices of the medical workers in saving lives even under challenging conditions, noting that their well-being which includes access to decent and affordable housing was a priority that aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and the mandate at this Ministry.
“Housing is a fundamental need that directly impacts productivity, stability, and quality of life. We recognize the difficulties many healthcare workers face in securing suitable accommodation, particularly in high-demand urban centers where medical facilities are concentrated. Addressing these challenges requires strong partnerships between the government and professional bodies like yours”, he added.
Restating the objective of the Renewed Hope Housing Programme to expanding access to affordable housing for all Nigerians, Dangiwa informed the delegation that, 10,112 housing units were currently under construction in fourteen locations across the country which includes 3,112 units of Renewed Hope Cities in Karsana Abuja, 2,000 units in Lagos State, and 2,000 units in Kano State.
Accordingly, the Minister also said that there were twelve on-going Renewed Hope Estates of 250 units each in twelve States, adding that the Ministry plans to extend to the remaining 18 states in the country, “Your members can take advantage of these housing projects to own their homes”, he encouraged.
On the ownership options to the housing units, the Minister informed of an Up to 30-Year National Housing Funds (NHF) Mortgage Loans, a Rent to Own option, Instalment Payment, as well as an Outright Purchase option, adding that the online portal http://renewedhopehomes.fmhud.gov.ng was created by the ministry for ease of application for the homes.
The Minister further expressed the commitment of the Ministry to supporting policies and programs that uplift the living standards of Nigerians.
“Your visit today strengthens our resolve to design housing interventions that serve our national heroes-those who dedicate their lives to saving others”. He said.
Speaking earlier, National President, Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Tope Osundara, appreciated the Minister for supporting and keying into President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, by championing the Renewed Hope Housing project, and making NARD a beneficiary.
Emphasizing the importance of the Resident Doctors to the Nation’s Health Care System, the NARD President appealed to the Minister to assist the association to key into the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda, pointing out that it would play a significant role in forestalling the long standing issue of Nigerian Doctors leaving the country.
Dr. Osundara informed that the Association is proposing a 1000 housing unit under phase one for a start in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which would serve as a template and encourage other members of the association across the states to key in.
He also noted the importance of building housing units for the Doctors in the hospital premises, considering that the Resident Doctors are ideally supposed to be resident within the hospital in order to enable timely attendance to emergencies.
Also speaking, the representative of REDAN and a member of NARD, Dr. Suleiman Abubakar Sadiq explained that the RENEWED HOPE MEDIC CITIES project for the Health Workers would be a partnership between the Ministries of Housing and Health, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and a Public Private Partnership arrangement.
According to him, the housing construction which is expected to commence across the country between January and February 2025, aims to build 10,000 housing RENEWED HOPE MEDIC Estates and Cities across the Nation.
Dr. Sadiq expressed hope that the project would be a significant step toward, enhancing the welfare of healthcare workers and ensuring they have access to safe and affordable housing, thereby improving morale and productivity in the health sector.
Signed
Salisu Badamasi Haiba
Director Press and Public Relations
