The federal government of Nigeria has said that its planned 1000 housing units to be built in Ondo state would not be abandoned.
It said the housing units were designed to be affordable by Nigerians from all walks of life as part of the first phase of its affordable housing initiative.
Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Housing Authority, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, who stated this in Akure, the Ondo state capital during a visit to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said the houses would be built in line with what residents in the state could afford.
Hon Ojo appealed to Governor Aiyedatiwa to release land to enable the project to take off this year.
Ojo stated that the provision of affordable houses for Nigerians was one of the core pillars of President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
He said: “Before we embark on any project in a State, we must visit the State and consult with the government. This is also to ensure that we do not impose our designs on any State, rather we build according to the peculiar needs of each State.
“So, this is why we want to partner with the Ondo state government, not only for you to provide us with land, but so that you can guide us on how best to satisfy the housing needs of the people of the State.
“There will be studio rooms, one-bedroom and the rest so that many low-income residents, especially young people, can afford them just like it is applicable in advanced countries.
“We are also looking at carcass. We can build the structures and do the exterior but leave the finishing to be done by the occupant. Let the person do the finishing according to their taste or finances. We embark on any project, we consult with the Governor. We are coming to ask for land. We do not want to impose our design. That is why there are abandoned housing projects. We want to partner with the state government because you know the culture and the people.
“We want to partner with you. You should be able to tell us what the people of the state can afford. Mr. President has given us the mandate to go around the country. We want the youths to be able to afford houses. We are looking at building carcasses to enable the beneficiaries to choose their design and finishing.
“This project will create jobs. The state economy will grow. We have our action plan but we cannot do anything because we want to have the input of the state government. In less than one year, you will see what we come out with.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa who assured that land would be provided for the take-off of the housing project, promised that his administration would give the needed support for the success of the project.
The governor, who congratulated Hon. Ojo on his well-deserved appointment to the FHA, commended his decision to embark on such a visit to dialogue with host states before implementing such a project.
He said: “We have members of our team here to interact with your team to ensure that we give you all you need to make a success of this project because we are happy this is coming to us at this time.
“I want to assure you that we will key into this laudable initiative and play a pivotal role because we want to be part of progress in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President and to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people.
“Shelter is one of the major provisions a government can give to its people and housing is in short supply in the state. So, this is a welcome development for us and we are ready to partner with you on the project.”
(The Nation)
