NEWS
Addressing Housing Deficit in Nigeria Through Renewed Hope Agenda
Housing is one of the basic needs of man. It means more than just a shelter. It is provides man with a living environment, protection, privacy and facilitating social, economic and cultural achievements.
The performance of the housing sector is one of the measures by which the health of a nation is measured because of significance to the promotion of economic growth and development.
Nigeria’s housing challenge has been of concern in the last three decade with different government proffering different solution towards bridging the yawning gap for the citizens.
In 2010, the housing deficit was 14 million; it rose to 20 million in 2018 and in 2023 it rose to 28 million.
President Bola Tinubu in his quest to ensure that Nigeria’s housing deficit is bridged; said he is determined to face the housing challenge bedeviling Nigeria with the required attention.
To this end, he reeled out his vision for the housing sector under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates programme. This will offer affordable housing to low-income earners and other Nigerians whose income is below the medium household earnings.
Tinubu took a bold step to make this vision a reality at the ground breaking ceremony of the pilot phase of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates programme in Karasana, Abuja, for the construction of 50,000 houses across Nigeria under the first phase by the end of 2024.
“We aim to promote Public Private Partnership (PPP) collaborations that attract domestic, foreign, and diaspora investments.
“We are resolved to facing the housing challenge with the clarity of purpose and determination that is required to break all the barriers that stand in our way of success,’’ he said
In alignment with the President’s housing plan, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development initiated a vision to create an efficient housing market. Central to the ministry’s overall strategic action plan is to increase the availability of affordable housing.
This is through the Renewed Hope Cities and Estate Programme, National Slum upgrade programme, National Housing Programme-Sale of Homes, Creation of a National Social Housing Fund and commencement of Housing sector reforms.
According to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, the government approved N126.5bn from the 2023 supplementary and 2024 budget for the housing programme as well as the slum upgrade and urban renewal.
Dangiwa said, presently the Federal Government has estates in 12 states and three cities nationwide.
The estates, he said, are in Katsina, Yobe, Gombe, Abia, Nasarawa, Benue, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Sokoto, Oyo, and Osun States while the cities are in Abuja, Yobe, and Lagos.
He said that contractors have been mobilised and have commenced work to deliver a total of 3,500.
He added that a MoU with reputable developers was signed to construct 100,000 housing units nationwide and work has commenced for 3,112 housing units under the PPP bringing the total number of housing units currently under construction to 6,612.
“Under this concept, the housing units built in the Renewed Hope Cities will be sold at commercial rate while a substantial percentage will be sold at concessionary rates to low- and medium-income Nigerians who are members of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.
“The construction of the planned 50,000 units under phase one will create 1.25 million direct and indirect construction jobs in addition to the value chain effects of purchase, supply of building materials, businesses around the construction sites.
“From the Ministry’s 2024 Approved Budget, another batch of Renewed Hope Estates comprising 250-housing units each in six additional states totaling 1,500 housing units would be rolled out.
“To guarantee access to these houses, the ministry unveiled a website https://renewedhopehomes.fmhud.gov.ng as the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates web portal, where Nigerians can apply, including those in Diaspora, to ease the process of acquiring homes that we are building under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme,’’ he said
He said the ministry has received about 8,925 expression of interest for the Renewed Hope Estates and Cities housing scheme that comprises of 1,294 for outright purchase, 2,408 for mortgage, 2,184 for rent-to-own and 3,039 for installment payment.
Dangiwa said an Executive Bill to amend the obsolete Land Use Act 1978 that has hindered the development of the housing sector is currently being drafted.
He added that other reforms include the establishment of the National Land Commission, the review of relevant laws and facilitation of necessary legislative amendments.
“These includes the following: The Land Use Act, 1978, National Housing Fund (NHF) Act,1992, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN),Establishment Act, 1993, Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Act,1973 and The PenCom Act,’’ he said
In the bid to make the Renewed Hope Housing programme a success, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), is also collaborating with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to deliver affordable housing to Nigerians.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of FHA, Oyetunde Ojo, said the management of FHA went on a working visit to the six geo-political zones to have access to lands for the delivery of affordable housing to Nigerians.
“Once the state governments give FHA the off-takers (lands), part of the requirement was to have a mortgage bank to stand for the off takers. But that is yet to happen and that is why we are partnering with the FMBN to get funds for building the houses.
“I can assure you that lands are now available all over the country as we speak in 22 states, minimum of 50 hectares some 100, some 150 what is needed is finance for development.’’
Also the CEO of FMBN, Shehu Osidi, said that the organisation would continue to provide mortgages in order to actualise the vision of the president in the housing sector.
According to him, the mandate of FMBN is to provide homeownership, by way of mortgage financing to the lower and middle income earners in this country.
“This is for Nigerian workers in the public and private sectors, but even self-employed individuals are also at liberty to contribute to the National Housing Fund and take advantage of our various loan products.
He said that the FMBN was making an effort to complete all its outstanding housing estates located in different parts of the country and ensure they are taken.
“Going forward, we are introducing a lot of professionalism and diligence in the identification of locations for our new projects.
“The profiling and selection of potential off takers to ensure that only those with ability and capacity to repay their mortgage loans are offered mortgages is key.
“We are creating easy access to our various products and our processes will be seamless for people to get their mortgages approved and get houses and a collaboration with FHA is a step in the right direction.’’
Nevertheless, while experts and professional bodies like the Real Estate Developers Association (REDAN), Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) among others applauds the Renewed Hope Housing agenda of the president as a step towards addressing the housing deficit; they however, said amendment of major laws is also crucial.
Dr Samson Opaluwa, Chairman of CORBON, called for the review of the Builders Registration Act to ensure that only qualified professionals contribute to the nation’s growth to avoid building collapse.
“This aims to enhance our regulatory capabilities, curb quackery in the building industry, and ensure that only qualified and content professionals contribute to the growth of our nation in this sector.”
The Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) also seeks an amendment to its acts as well as putting in place strategies to encourage private sector participation in housing supply and the use of alternative building materials and technologies to reduce construction costs.(NAN)
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President Chief Ajuri Ngelale has quit his job. He said in a statement in a Abuja that he would proceed on an ” indefinite leave, to deal with ” medical matters” affecting him amd hia immediate family.Hos statement reads: “On Friday, I submittd a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.
While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and family”
By David Torough, Abuja
About 1000 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), under the auspices of Coalition Of Civil Society Organisations (CCSOs), on Saturday Faults President Bola Tinubu’s Economic Team and called for immediate reconstitution.Expressing deep concerns over the state of the economy and escalating fuel prices compounding the hardship of Nigerians despite the recent protest, the groups said Tinubu must act now to avert disintegration.
The groups said the current situation across the country has cast doubt on the competence of the Tinubu economic team and called for urgent review. The CCSOs in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, pointed out that the plight of Nigerians is sinking low and their patience is wearing off following the deteriorating economy.The statement reads in part, “The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) is deeply concerned about the deteriorating state of the Nigerian economy, which is becoming increasingly unbearable for millions of citizens.“It is evident that the recent hike in fuel prices and the unstable exchange rate are the direct results of economic mismanagement by those responsible for overseeing our nation’s financial policies. The ripple effects of these failures are being felt in every household across the country, worsening poverty and crippling economic activity.“The floating of the Naira, which was initially sold to Nigerians as a means of stabilizing our currency, has done little to prevent the continued devaluation of the Naira. In fact, the exchange rate disparity has widened significantly, with the Naira losing value daily, impacting the cost of living, basic commodities, and inflation.“While this policy was expected to ease foreign exchange pressure, it has instead deepened economic challenges due to poor implementation and lack of strategic foresight.”The coalition also expressed concern over what it described as a death trap of indebtedness of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which also they claimed had slowed down importation of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, hence the current shortage of PMS across the country. “Of equal concern is the precarious position of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which finds itself in a debt trap, with global suppliers of petroleum products losing confidence in Nigeria’s ability to honour its obligations.“Reports have shown that NNPCL has accrued debts totalling over $6 billion, causing petrol supply shortages. International suppliers are now reluctant to continue providing fuel on credit, exacerbating supply chain issues and pushing up the price of petrol at the pump”, they claimed.The CSOs also asserted that, “We hold the managers of the Nigerian economy responsible for these disturbing developments. Their inability to provide sound policies and long-term solutions has left the nation in this predicament.“It is clear that there is no cohesive strategy to address the rising debt, the growing imbalance in the foreign exchange market, or the country’s heavy reliance on importation for petrol supply. The recent hike in fuel prices reflects the collapse of responsible economic management and accountability.“Nigerians are left to bear the brunt of these failures. Businesses are shutting down, transportation costs have skyrocketed, and citizens are spending an increasingly larger percentage of their income on basic necessities. This state of affairs is unacceptable.”The group therefore placed some demands; Immediate intervention from the government: There needs to be a comprehensive and transparent plan to stabilize the Naira, restore confidence in the petroleum supply chain, and negotiate a restructuring of NNPC’s debts to ensure continuous fuel supply.“Accountability for economic mismanagement: Those responsible for the reckless management of our foreign exchange policies and NNPC’s debts must be held accountable. The government must also disclose its plan to mitigate the rising fuel costs and economic burden on Nigerians.“A return to sound financial policy: The floating of the Naira has proven ineffective under current conditions. We call for a re-evaluation of monetary and fiscal policies to stabilize the economy, reduce inflation, and attract foreign investment.“In conclusion, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations reiterates that without immediate corrective measures, the economic situation will continue to deteriorate, leading to further hardship for the average Nigerian. The government must act decisively and responsibly to reverse this downward spiral”, they added.
There is growing tension in Ugondu community, Makurdi LGA, Benue state by young people opposed to the demolition of houses and destruction of rice farms in the area allegedly on the directives of senior Air Force officer, Air Commodore Akinbuwa Ayodele.
It was learnt that Commodore Ayodele, who is facing multiple legal actions following dispute over a plot of land located on George Akume Way Makurdi and owned in blatant disregard to the judicial process embarked on destruction of structures on the plot.
Eyewitness said when the equipment arrived no one imagined it was for destruction.
But in a militray- like operation, two flats of two units each, completely roofed, electrified and plumbing work completed were among the structures demolished as the bulldozers rolled over rice farms in the vicinity as well.
It was learnt that last year, a Makurdi High Court presided by Justice Mary Ijohor, granted an order of perpetual injunction, in the same matter, upon application by the supposed owner of the plot and awarded the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) only, as cost. The matter, enforcement of fundamental rights, was marked as MHC/582/M/2023.
Godwin Akor whose rice farm was destroyed in a chat with newsmen said that he was shocked at the development. He however said he won’t speak more on the matter as it is still before the court.
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