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.
He was represented at the event by his deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, who commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the commitment of the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, for spearheading the housing initiative.
“This is what a responsible government is supposed to do, and we are seeing it now under the present administration,” Emetu added.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, is constructing 50,000 housing units nationwide in the first phase of its Renewed Hope Housing Cities and Estates Programme.
Dangiwa, who was present at the ceremony, emphasized the importance of completing the projects within the stipulated three-month period to enable Nigerians to occupy the houses promptly.
The groundbreaking event in Abia State is part of the second round of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates programme, launched by President Tinubu in February 2024.
The phase covers eight states in the South and North-Central zones: Ebonyi, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Osun, Oyo, Benue, and Nasarawa, each receiving 250 housing units, totalling 2,000 units in this round.
Dangiwa highlighted the progress made, stating, “By the end of this second round, we would have broken ground for a total of 6,612 housing units across the country since February this year, creating direct and indirect jobs for over 165,000 people at an average of 25 jobs per unit.”
The 250 housing units in Abia, similar to other states, will include 50 units of 1-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, 150 units of 2-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, and 50 units of 3-bedroom semi-detached bungalows.
The houses are designed to be affordable and expandable, allowing for future growth as beneficiaries’ income increases.
On the sales options, Dangiwa explained, “We have created different options to enable everyone who has a source of income and livelihood to own these homes when they are completed.”
These options include single-digit mortgage loans repayable over 30 years, rent-to-own schemes provided by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, and outright purchase options for those who can afford to pay upfront.
The 12 Renewed Hope Estates flagged off so far are funded under the N50 billion 2023 Supplementary Budget approved by the President.
Dangiwa assured that states not included in the 2023 Supplementary Budget will be captured in the Ministry’s 2024 Budget and urged other state governors to provide the necessary land for implementing the projects in their states.
