The federal government, in Owerri, Imo State, formally handed over keys to the beneficiaries of the National Housing Programme who have met the requirements and successfully completed payment for the houses they applied for.
Director, Press & Public Relations of the ministry, Ms. Blessing Lere-Adams disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, June 16th, 2022.
According to the statement, the Federal Controller of Housing Imo State, Engr. Dania Denis Abu Azebokhai performed the handover event on behalf of the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola.
It further disclosed that the ceremonial handover took place at the premises of the National Housing Estate, Avu town along Port Harcourt road, Owerri on Wednesday June 15th, 2022.
In his address read by the Federal Controller Housing, the Minister reiterated the commitment of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to making sure that the citizens were provided with decent and affordable houses by gradually easing the housing deficit in the country.
“As part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s developmental agenda of addressing Housing needs in Nigeria, the Federal Government inaugurated a pragmatic National Housing Programme (NHP) for the construction of acceptable and affordable houses nationwide. It is a Programme borne out of the present Government’s desire to provide affordable housing for its citizenry” he said.
Fashola emphasized that the allocation of the houses was for every citizen and there is fairness and equity in it’s allocation as it is on first come first serve basis.
The Minister stated that the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure of office has entered a season of completion and handover of keys to beneficiaries of houses in 35 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who had successfully subscribed through the open Ministry’s website for the sales of these completed houses.
“We have therefore offered all these housing units to members of the general public in a non-discriminatory way by opening the Portal to ensure fairness and equity” He said
Fashola also encouraged all Nigerians to avail themselves with the opportunity of owning a house in the 36 States and FCT except for Lagos State.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Work and Housing, Bashir Nura Alkali who was represented by the Deputy Director, Planning Research and Statistics, Housing, Onyetenu Joseph Emeka particularly welcomed the beneficiaries of the sales of the houses built under the first phase of the programme.
He stated that the philosophy behind the National Housing Programme was the provision of pilot scheme that was affordable, accessible and acceptable as contained in the policy.
He added that the approach to the design and use of materials took cognizance of the cultural and climatic peculiarities of the regions, while responding also to the tenets of the Building Energy and Efficiency Code being championed by the Ministry.
