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)
The Nigeria Police Force says individuals who have attained the age of criminal responsibility must be answerable for their actions, regardless of biological age.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja said the provision was very clear under the Nigerian law.
He said the provision was in line with global practices, where accountability was upheld for young individuals who commit serious offenses.
Adejobi said the clarification followed public opinion over the arraignment of 76 alleged minors over terrorism, arson and treasonable felony by the Nigeria Police.
According to him, in managing the detention and arraignment of these suspects, the Nigeria Police has rigorously adhered to legal provisions to ensure fairness and accountability under the rule of law.
He said the suspects were initially presented in court, where they were formally charged, with a remand order issued by the court.
“Throughout this process, the police have worked to balance justice with compassion, ensuring that each suspect’s basic rights and privileges are respected, including access to medical care and other necessary provisions.
“An unexpected incident in court saw six of the suspects suddenly rush out and faint on Oct. 1, drawing media attention in a deliberate and scripted manner to draw negative attention.
“Medical aid was promptly provided to these individuals, demonstrating the Police Force’s commitment to the welfare of those in its custody, irrespective of the allegations they face.
“While committed to upholding justice, the Nigeria Police Force remains sensitive to the rights of all individuals, including young persons,” he said.
According to him, as seen in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, age does not exempt individuals from facing legal consequences.
He said the Nigeria Police was aware of public interest in the case and assured that its officers would maintain professionalism throughout the legal process.
Adejobi enjoined the public to view the case without undue bias, adding that the force remains focused on a transparent pursuit of justice.
He said the force would remain committed to aligning with best practices, upholding both the rule of law and respect for human dignity. (NAN)
Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun, on Saturday awarded 91 students of the institution First Class (Honours) at its 16th Convocation Ceremonies.
The convocation ceremonies are for the 2023/2024 academic session.
Ojediran said that a total of 969 students graduated in the academic session.
He said that they comprised the 91 students who made First Class grade, 505 who secured Second Class (Upper Division), 313 with Second Class (Lower Division) and 60 graduating with Third Class.
The vice-chancellor said that 220 students were graduating in the post-graduate category.
Mr Sally Farouk from the university’s Department of Architecture emerged the overall best student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.
94, according to Ojediran.He said that the institution set out to proffer best solutions from collective knowledge, shared experiences and resources, recognising that education was a lifelong activity.
The vice-chancellor lauded the staff of the university for cooperation and dedication to giving the students quality education.
“You have joined hands with the management of the institution to work on this fertile ground,” he said.
The Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Bart Nnaji, said that university was the first private university of technology in Nigeria, noting that it was established in 2005.
Nnaji said that the institution had made remarkable achievements in teaching and research as part of its vision to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria.
“Let me also congratulate the graduating students who have distinguished themselves through their hard work and discipline and are being rewarded today.” he said.
In his remarks, the Chancellor of the institution, Dr Ibrahim Dankwambo, commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo for contributions to education development in the country.
Dankwambo also congratulated a former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, and the Executive Director of Sahara Group, Mr Temitope Shonubi, for honorary doctoral degree given them by the university.
Report says that Okebukola and Shonubi were conferred with the degree for their outstanding pedigrees and services to humanity. (NAN)
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has said that suspects arrested during the #Endbadgovernance protest in August 2024 were not remanded in any of its adult custodial centres in Abuja.
The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) Abubakar Umar confirmed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
our correspondent gathered that the suspects arrested for treason during the #Endbadgovernance protest that held in August 2024, were on Friday, arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.
Umar said that there were misleading reports making the rounds in some sections of the media purporting that the suspects were remanded in one of the adult custodial centres in Abuja.
According to the NCoS spokesman, the said report has no iota of truth.
”The service operates under the best correctional and global practices.
“To set records straight, the NCoS Act 2019 has empowered the Controllers of Corrections as well as Superintendents-in-charge of Custodial Centres not to admit juveniles in facilities meant for adults.
“The Act also mandates the service to reject more intake of inmates where it is apparent that the custodial facility in question is filled to capacity.
“The service wishes to inform the public that the said suspects were rejected and none of them were remanded in adult custodial facilities as insinuated by the said report.
“The service assures the public that NCoS will continue to emphasise professionalism as well as respect for human rights in line with the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Juvenile offenders.
“Furthermore, the general public is enjoined to disregard the said report because it is not the true position of things,”he said.(NAN)
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