The Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa has announced the formation of a twelve-member ministerial committee tasked with overseeing a 753-unit housing estate linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele. This estate was recently transferred to the Ministry by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement, Minister Dangiwa emphasized the significance of this assignment, describing it as a crucial step toward fulfilling the housing objectives outlined in the Renewed Hope Agenda. He stated, “The committee has been established to ensure that the recovered housing estate, located in the Lokogoma district of Abuja, is transformed into livable, secure, and affordable homes for Nigerians.”
The committee’s mandate aligns with the President’s vision and aims to expedite the transformation of the estate. Dangiwa stressed the importance of technical expertise and integrity in executing this project, assuring that committee members were selected from key departments within the Ministry.
“You have been chosen because of your capability to drive this initiative with the seriousness it demands. Nigerians are watching and expect results,” he said, urging the committee to work collaboratively and eliminate unnecessary obstacles. He encouraged members to adopt innovative approaches, stating, “Think outside the box. Be results-oriented.”
The committee, chaired by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Shuaib Belgore, includes senior directors and specialists from various departments such as technical, financial, engineering, planning, procurement, and media.
Their Terms of Reference encompass a thorough assessment of the estate’s structural integrity, evaluating the number and condition of housing units, and determining the costs needed to complete essential infrastructure like roads, power, and water supply. Additionally, the committee will establish standards for architectural consistency, propose a fair allocation strategy for housing units via the Renewed Hope Housing Portal, and develop a public engagement plan to foster confidence in the project.
The Minister of State, Yusuf Ata, highlighted the necessity for the committee to co-opt additional professionals as needed due to the scale of the task and the tight timeline. “The committee should have the authority to bring in experts to assist, considering the magnitude of the assignment and the four-week deadline,” he noted.
Chairman Belgore assured that the committee would undertake its duties with diligence and professionalism. He stated, “Our goal is to ensure that the recovered estate undergoes a comprehensive assessment and is completed transparently and efficiently, in line with national housing objectives.”
He concluded by affirming that the successful execution of this assignment would serve as a model for transforming recovered public assets into infrastructure that benefits the Nigerian populace.
