The plan by the Federal government to deliver 100,000 units of affordable homes to Nigerian under a social housing scheme, annually has been attracting the attention of those in the housing sector, asking for more clarification on the issue, especially, the modality at which the project will be delivered.
The Minister of State for Power Works and Housing II, Hassan Zarma, disclosed this during an inspection tour of projects under the National Housing Programme (NHP) in Lafia, Nassarawa state, recently, where he stated that low income earners such as artisans, commercial vehicle operators among others would have access to housing units in the proposed scheme at a cost of N2 million and N5 million for one-bedroom and three-bedroom flats respectively.
The scheme, which he revealed was initiated by the Office of the Vice President and supported by the Federal Ministry of Finance, was said to be different from the ongoing NHP being executed in the 34 states of the federation. But observers who commented on the initiative seek more clarification on how the project would be implemented.
Among the observations made by the commentators in the housing sector include the duration for the present administration, which they considered to be “short”, for such policy to come on board, on one hand; what would be the role of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in execution of the project, and who will provide the lands in the states where the project would be sited.
Another question is “who will handle the project and how will the would-be beneficiaries go about accessing the homes after completion, if by chance, the project sees the light of the day, and what is going to be the payment formula, among other considerations?
In his comment, the First Vice-President, Nigerian Institute of Builders (NIOB), Builder. Kunle Awobodu, while he was in support of any initiative that would increase the housing delivery in Nigeria, said there is need for the minister to elaborate more on how government will go about the initiative.
“My concern is that whether this pronouncement is not just one of the statements made by officials in a spur of moment. I think a policy statement, well defined, thoroughly planned must first receive the attention of all the stakeholders.
“In this case, stakeholders include state governments, professionals in the building sector, representatives of various unions that the project is said to be focusing on, among other relevant groups. Therefore, to take the Minister of State serious on this issue, Nigerians, especially, the actors in the sector will need a comprehensive and documented explanation over the proposal,” argued another commentator, Moses Obaje-Odje, an Abuja-based project consultant with Odey-Simon consulting firm.
Judith Osaren, a member of Crown Shelter Initiative, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), based in Abuja, wants clarification on why the project emanates from the office of Vice President and how would contractors be selected for the project.
“My question is whether office of the VP has a special budget for capital project of this magnitude. Again, what if government changes and the current VP is out of office and the incoming one does not share the same vision with him, what becomes of the project?, she queried.
Another important question raised is how contractors would be selected and payment modalities by the prospective home owners in the radar of the office of Vice President?
The minister, who is also the Chairman, Presidential Initiative on Family Home Fund, recently during his visit to the Lafia, Nassarawa State National Housing Programme (NHP) site stressed that the scheme would be beneficial to the people.
“The 100, 000 houses is family home fund that is purely social housing programme. The cost will not be as high as this, it will be much lower. We are thinking of a one-bedroom that will cost N2 million and a three-bedroom that will cost maximum amount of N5 million,” he explained, the cost observers believed was not realistic considering the economic condition of average Nigerians.
The minister, who also paid a courtesy visit to the Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, pleaded for more lands for second phase for the NHP, stressing that the state will largely benefit from the scheme.
Al-Makura, who was represented by his Deputy, Silas Agara commended the Federal Government for infrastructure projects in the state. He described the projects as evidence of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to delivering on his campaign promises.
He said about 13.8 hectares were donated to the Federal Housing Project and restated his commitment to provide additional land for second phase of the project. He noted that over N65 million was paid to communities as compensation for the lands donated to the federal government.
He emphasised that the various road projects in the state will change face of the state.
However, the governor noted that the Toto–Nasarawa–Abaji road has become a “den of kidnappers”, thus necessitating urgent attention of the federal government for rehabilitation.
The governor emphasised that the state deserves more in terms of infrastructure development, adding that the Lafia–Keffi 65 kilometres road had attained more than 40 percent completion. The Tribune
