Gov. Sani presents 157 hectares of land to FHA for 500 housing units project
Story from Idris UMAR
Federal Government has announced plans to build 500 housing units in Kaduna State as part of effort to address the challenges of housing deficit in Nigeria.
The Managing Director of Federal Housing Authority FHA, Mr Oyetunde Ojo, made this known while receiving the Right of Occupancy of 157 hectares of land from Kaduna State Governor, Malam Uba Sani, at government house Kaduna.
Mr Ojo explained that the housing project would be delivered in phases.
According to him, with the 157 hectares of land presented by the state governor, more than 500 housing units would be built in different categories.
According to him, lands are in three locations and pledged to create diaspora cities out of the land.
“Our first point of consideration on the building is for the poor people, we will make sure we build massively, because this is the message of Mr President to make sure we deliver houses for Nigerians at an affordable rate.
“We are about to start the ground breaking in Kaduna and you will start seeing the work of Mr President.
“We are planning for massive housing projects across Nigeria. Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is building and even private developers are building.
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“That is why the Federal Executive Council has recently passed the infrastructural fund in which FHA is going to be a major beneficiary.
Mr Ojo also stated that the housing would come in mortgage of 25 years, which will make it affordable for both the formal and the informal sector.
While presenting the document to the Managing Director, Governor Sani said building affordable houses is one of key focus of his government.
He explained that in one year of his administration, Kaduna State Government had allocated over 1000 hectares of land to developers, both private and government agencies, who are willing to build affordable houses to people of the state.
Malam Uba Sani described housing as not just a luxury but a necessity and it is the fundamental human right of everyone to have a house.
“Here in Kaduna, we have really made it clear that in our time we will try as much as possible to ensure that people who are underserved and poor have at roofs on top of their heads.
“Because of our effort, we have also attracted people who are willing to come to Kaduna to build houses for us, even free.
“You may be aware that Qatar Charity Foundation is doing one of the major, i think the biggest. Today they are building hundreds of houses for the underprivileged in Kaduna free.
“For me, the reason they have decided to focus here is because they realised that Kaduna State Government is very serious to ensuring that we build affordable houses to people.
Governor Uba assured the Managing Director thet Kaduna State has absolute confidence in him with his team because of his commitment.
Malam Uba Sani reaffirmed the determination of the state government toward providing all the necessary support to the Federal Housing Authority to fully commence the project soon.
He encouraged the Managing Director and his team to inform him on any support they may require that could help in facilitating the groundbreaking of the project in the next two weeks.