The Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has stated that the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not tolerate abandoned housing projects.
Emphasizing the Ministry’s commitment to providing value for money, Dangiwa warned that contractors who collect government funds for housing projects must complete the work.
The warning was issued on Saturday, June 29th, 2024, during the foundation laying ceremony of the 250-unit Renewed Hope Housing Estate in Warri, Delta State.
Delta is the ninth state to break ground out of the thirteen states scheduled under phase one of the Renewed Hope Housing Project.
The thirteen states under phase one, based on available land, including Kano, Katsina, Sokoto (north-west); Gombe and Yobe (north-east); Ebonyi and Abia (south-east); Akwa-Ibom and Delta (south-south); Osun and Oyo (south-west); and Benue and Nasarawa (north-central).
The Federal Government aims to deliver 50,000 houses under this phase, funded by the N50 billion 2023 Supplementary budget. States not covered by the supplementary budget will be included in the 2024 budget if they provide land at no cost to ease affordability.
Dangiwa highlighted that housing construction is crucial for stimulating inclusive growth and achieving President Tinubu’s mission of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.
He stressed that developers must adhere to specifications and timelines, warning that substandard work would not be tolerated and that legal measures, including the involvement of the EFCC, would be employed to ensure compliance.
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, expressed gratitude for including Delta State in the first phase of the project.
The Governor noted that the state had provided free land for the project and waived certificate of occupancy and ground rent fees to enhance housing affordability.
The Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme was launched by President Tinubu with a groundbreaking ceremony for the 3,112-unit Renewed Hope City in Karsana, Abuja, in February 2024.
The programme aims to build seven new cities, one in each geopolitical zone and the Federal Capital Territory, with estates in the remaining states across the federation.
Dangiwa reiterated his call for developers to ensure timely and quality completion of projects, so the process for citizens to purchase and move into the houses can commence as scheduled.
In a related development, the governor of Abia state, Dr Alex Otti, has expressed profound gratitude to the Federal Government for the 250 housing units allocated under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme.
During the groundbreaking ceremony held on Thursday, June 27th, 2024, at Bende Local Government Area near Umuahia, Governor Otti praised the initiative, calling it a significant gift to Abia State.
“Abia State is wonderfully grateful for the gift of the houses,” Governor Otti stated.
