Niger State Government has presented a Certificate of Occupancy to the Federal Housing Authority for the commencement of the renewed hope housing project to be constructed on a 31 hectare of land at the Three Arms Zone Minna.
- Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago made the presentation to the Managing Director, Federal Housing Authority Hon. Oyetunde Ojo who led a delegation to the Farmer Governor at the Council Chamber, Government House Minna.
Governor Umaru Bago who described the project as developmental expressed gratitude to the Federal Housing Authority for chosing Niger State as one of the pilot States adding that, the State government under its local renewed hope housing intends to build 3,000 housing units consisting of 1,000 (One bedroom flats ), 1,000 (2) bedroom flats and 1,000 (3) bedroom flats.
He said, the State Government is also working closely with the UNDP and other development partners and will match whatever funds they will bring and also revealed that Niger State Government is ambitious to take over 100 percent of whatever the Federal Housing Authority is building and a Sinking fund has been created where money will be deducted from interested Civil servants which will be subsidized by the state government .
Governor Umaru Bago acknowledged the provision of sites and services as major challenges faced in providing housing units while the State Government is poised to provide water, Primary Healthcare centres and Markets among others .
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director Federal Housing Authority, Mr Oyetunde Ojo disclosed that the housing project would kickstart immediately and said the team has set out its plan and is going to work in conjunction with the State Government in the building process, as the occupants of the housing project will be predominantly citizens of the State.
He further explained that once the procurement is done, 60%-70% of the contract will be awarded to indigenes of the State for procurement adding that, the project will create job opportunities for the people of the State and will involve residents of the State in the building process so that they will be held accountable and meet up with the design of what the citizens want.
He described Governor Bago as a man of action right from his days at the National Assembly and said, the developmental strides of the Governor in the housing sector is a challenge to the Federal Housing Authority to step up in its duties.
The Governor also took the team to the three arms zone where the renewed housing project will be sited and used the opportunity to take them round the expansion project of the three arm zone housing units initiated by former Niger State Governor Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu where he disclosed plans to decongest the old Minna town.
The team was also taken to the 50 housing units project of the State Government situated adjacent to Lawu Estate.
