NHP: FG appraises construction work in south-east

The issue of housing has been a source of concern in Nigeria with stakeholders saying there is a shortage of over 17 million houses for the citizens. President Buhari- led administration came up with the National Housing Programme (NHP) to deliver on critical infrastructure in fulfillment of its electioneering promise to Nigerians. The programme, the […]

The issue of housing has been a source of concern in Nigeria with stakeholders saying there is a shortage of over 17 million houses for the citizens.

President Buhari- led administration came up with the National Housing Programme (NHP) to deliver on critical infrastructure in fulfillment of its electioneering promise to Nigerians.

The programme, the government says, will have direct impact on the people as many professionals, contractors, artisans and vendors will be engaged in the value chain.  The Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing saddled with the task of housing provision last week inspected some of NHP projects in the south -east zone with a view to taking  stock of the progress of work so far and the challenges faced by the contractors engaged to deliver the houses.

The Minister of State, Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, who inspected the housing projects in the south -east geo-political zone restated the commitment of the present administration to reduce the housing deficit through the provision of affordable housing to the populace.

Speaking while receiving the Minister of State I for Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, the National Housing Programme (NHP) Project Team Leader in Enugu State, Tina Eneh, said that  except the locks fixed on the doors, all other materials , as well as, personnel at the Enugu site of NHP are locally sourced, adding that the  policy on local content of the Federal Government has started yielding result.

Earlier in Owerri, the Imo State Capital, the minister  called on the governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, to intervene in a land dispute between the Federal Government and the Federal University of Technology, (FUTO), which is affecting  the scheduled delivery of houses under the NHP, in the state.

He stated that a total number of 68 houses are presently under construction, which comprises 16 units of three-bedroom flats, 28 two-bedrooms and a three-storey condominium block of four units of one-bedroom, 16 of two-bedroom and  four of three-bedroom.

The minister expressed concern over the slow pace of work at the site in Owerri, assuring that government will pay the contractors their money as at when due, while urging the contractors to put in more efforts in order to deliver within agreed time frame.

 While  in Anambra State, the minister assured the state government of Federal Government’s readiness to complete all on-going projects including those started by previous administrations.

 Shehuri commended   the state government for making land available for the project, adding that the NHP, in the state, comprises of 3 blocks of 3 storey condominium block of 24 units (1bedroom-4 units, 2 bedroom-18units, 3bedroom -4units).

He said that the Federal Government will do all that is necessary to provide Nigerians with affordable houses and gainful employment.

Responding, the Governor of Anambra State Willie Obiano, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Solo Osita Chukwulobelu, expressed  gratitude to the Federal Government for finding Anambra worthy of the laudable project, promising that the state government would provide  access  road to the construction site. He enjoined the Federal Government not to abandon the project as it will add value to the economic prosperity of the state as well as boost the commercial activities of the host community.

While in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Shehuri urged the state governor, David Umahi to expedient action on the release of Letters of Exchange for National Housing Programme’s land and that of the Federal Secretariat.

He assured the contractors that government was committed to addressing whatever complaints they have at the moment especially on the issue of delayed payments and the supply of products. 

The minister appealed to the contractors and other workers to see the issues as the “teething problems” associated with initial projects of this magnitude and promised that such will be resolved as the programme progresses.