The President, Maj. Gen. Mohammadu Buhari (retd.), on Monday, said his administration was addressing the challenge of inadequate accommodation, especially in the urban centres through housing estate being constructed across the federation.
Speaking at the inauguration of Phase 1 of National Housing Project in Abere, Osun State, Buhari said the housing estate was just one of the ways the administration was addressing the challenge.
Buhari, who was represented by the Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, further said the housing project had positively impacted various layers of businesses in the state, as many business owners were involved in the construction work, supply of building materials among others.
He said, “We are not unaware of the challenge of housing in the country, especially in the urban areas, many of which are overcrowded in unhealthy ways. It is our firm resolve to surmount the challenge in every way possible. This housing estate, as constructed in all the states of the federation, is one of the ways we are addressing the challenge.
“The Micro, Small and Medium size businesses that drive our economy were the ones who won the contracts to build these houses. Not only did their successful bids offer an opportunity for these companies and their employees, through them we have unleashed a value chain of economic activities that improved the conditions of the mass of Nigerian people.
“They engaged suppliers who benefit from sub-contracts for the supply of building materials from sand to cement, roofing and plumbing material to doors and electrical fitting. In the process, Nigerians at the bottom of the pyramid such as artisans, builders, skilled and unskilled workers, and food vendors were not left out of this economic value chain.
“These are some of the people our country remains committed to move towards prosperity and away from poverty and we are already reaching them by providing opportunities for employment for those who were hitherto unemployed.”
Speaking earlier, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, represented by the Director, Urban and Regional Planning, Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr Olasunkanmi Dunmoye, said the Federal Government has delivered housing projects in 34 states that had provided land.
He said the housing estate of 72-units comprising of 24-units of 1 bedroom, 2bedroom, 3 bedroom, 28-units 2 of two-bedroom and 20-units of 3 bedroom bungalows, would be offered to the public in a non-discriminatory way.
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