Fuller Foundation delivers 92 houses in Nasarawa

There was jubilation last Thursday in Luvu Madaki, New Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, as the last batch of beneficiaries of the Millard Fuller Foundation’s 92 housing unit project got keys to their houses. The Millard Fuller Foundation also called the Fuller Centre for Housing is a Christian charity committed to providing homes […]

There was jubilation last Thursday in Luvu Madaki, New Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, as the last batch of beneficiaries of the Millard Fuller Foundation’s 92 housing unit project got keys to their houses.
The Millard Fuller Foundation also called the Fuller Centre for Housing is a Christian charity committed to providing homes to the low income earners.
Twelve persons made up the last batch of the 92 beneficiaries got keys to the houses. The houses are studio apartment and the beneficiaries who took turns to talk expressed gratitude to the Millard Fuller Foundation.
Tunde Razaq, a driver said: “I was a tenant but with the help of the Millard Fuller Foundation, I’m now owner of a house.”
Another driver, Opeifa Adisa said: “In my life, I never thought I would be a house owner in this town. I’m proud to be addressed as a landlord.”
Sola Okewumi, a mason who had participated in the construction of the houses said: “We’re very happy today. I thank Sam Odia [the Director of the Millard Fuller Foundation]. He provides us opportunity to own houses.”
High points were dedication of the houses to God and presentation of keys of the houses to their owners by the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Millard Fuller Foundation, Pastor Solomon Yero.
Each of them was given a Bible as they collected the keys with a charge to go and be Godly in all their dealings. The houses cost N960,000 a unit. Each of the beneficiary moves in with a N60,000 deposit and will pay the rest over seven years which is about N10,000 monthly payment.
Addressing guests at the keys handover ceremony, the Director of the Foundation, Arc. Sam Odia, explained that this was continuation of the Selavip House Project.
“Initially, it sponsored six blocks. Now it is three. It gave us money then our headquarters in the US contributed to complete this project.
“This is completion of this first medium site we started with our pilot site in Abuja.
“We had thought it would take just two years but it has spread over nine years. But we’re happy to see the conclusion today. This is 92 units altogether.”
Odia lamented that government has paid lip service to the provision of housing for the ordinary person.
He urged government to make land available for the development of housing for all developers across board – for low income, medium – the various strata that are identified by the National Housing Policy.
He advocated review of the Land Use Act which vets power of title assent to governor of a state, adding that mortgages should have affordable interest rates and finances be made available to developers to build homes.
According to him, affordable house should be in the range of N1 million to N2 million.
Daily Trust reports that the Millard Fuller Foundation would build another 400-unit two-phase project. Over the years, the Millard Fuller Foundation has got support from the Real UK, formerly known as Homeless International, UK’s largest housing charity for international housing work.