ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi
The Federal Government is partnering with the Bauchi State Government to construct additional 4,000 housing units in the state worth billions of Naira to cater for the housing needs of low income earners.
NATIONAL ACCORD reports that this is in addition to the construction of the 2,500 houses earlier awarded by the federal government in partnership with the Bauchi state government in March, 2020.
The Bauchi state governor, in his speech during the foundation laying ceremony said that the houses will be distributed across the six Emirate Councils as: follows Bauchi – 1,500 units, Azare in Katagum – 350 units, Misau – 250 units, Ningi – 200 units, Jamaare – 100 units, and Dass – 100 units.
The Managing Director, Family Homes Fund, Mr Femi Adewole, disclosed this while speaking during a partnership meeting with the Bauchi State Government and the Organized Labour held at the Mini Chamber, Government House Bauchi,
He said new housing project would be constructed under the Federal Government’s Social Housing Programme as part of government’s plan to provide people of low income with affordable accommodations.
Adewole said the Social Housing Programme is an initiative of the Federal Government worth 200 billion naira designed to construct 300,000 housing units in the selected states of the federation to be funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Finance.
He said when the project is completed, it will be subsequently handed over to the beneficiaries who will be assisted to acess mortage loan for repayment period of about 25 years.
He said: “It is my pleasure to be in Bauchi again to introduce the Federal government’s Social Housing Programme and to outline the roles of organized labour in ensuring that, citizens of Bauchi especially those who are on low income have access to the programme.”
“The programme is an opportunity for Nigerians to access affordable houses, create job opportunities to people on low income, reviving industries through using their materials for the construction of the project and improve the general well-being of vulnerable groups.”
Adewole noted that, the Family Homes Fund was established by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration as a social financing institution to mobilize financing specifically for homes which will be affordable to Nigerians.
“I am happy to report that, we are satisfied and delighted with progress of the ongoing construction of 2,500 housing scheme in Bauchi which is not only to provide affordable homes for the people of Bauchi, but most significantly, create job opportunities for many local people.”
He said in addition to the ongoing construction of the housing scheme and the new project which will soon commence assuring that the Fund will continue to invest in the state throughout the tenure of the present administration.
The Commissioner for Housing and Environment, in the state, Hamisu Shira, who chaired the meeting on behalf of Governor Bala Mohammed, assured of the commitment of the state government towards the immediate commencement of the new project in the state.
He said: “We consider Family Homes as a good partner with Bauchi state government and today, we are here to discuss on yet another opportunity that Bauchi state will leverage on to ensure that, lower income earners, respected civil servants and people of the state benefit from this golden opportunity.
“We must thank the Governor for the interest for the wellbeing of his people especially the vulnerable groups.”
The NLC Chairman in the state, Danjuma Saleh, who spoke on behalf of the organized labour, applauded the state government for partnering with the federal government for the new project.
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