BY NASEER MIJINYAWA
The Niger State Governor, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago has promised to provide land to the Federal Housing Authority for the construction of an affordable housing scheme for Nigerians in the State.
Governor Umaru Bago made the promise when he played host to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, of Federal Housing Authority Mr Oyetunde Ojo at the Government House, Minna.
The Governor who described the Federal Housing Authority as a very significant agency to partner with, said the State Government will provide the needed land for the Authority in any part of the State at no cost.
He noted that the State would need the collaboration of the Federal Housing Authority in achieving some of its ambitions such as a tripartite arrangement for the construction of many housing estates between now and 2027 in order to relocate communities affected by the activities of hydro dams in the State including construction of houses in farm estates and housing for workers at the Special Agro-Processing Free Zone, among others.
The Governor also observed that Niger State is a gateway between the Northern and Southern parts of the Country hence it would utilize its potential maximally.
He then disclosed that discussions were on between the State and Chinese Governments for a rail line partnership worth 5 billion dollars to link up the State with Abuja, adding that when the project be completed, it would depopulate the Federal Capital by 5 million people by the Year 2030.
The Governor said it is time to allow public interest to override personal aggrandizement, hence he directed the Ministries of Lands and Survey; Housing and Urban Renewal; Power and Renewable Energy, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs among other related Ministries to work closely with the Federal Housing Authority to ensure that the partnership with the State comes to fruition.
He said with the present leadership at the Federal Housing Authority, the agency would no doubt experience a positive change adding that the MD was his colleague at the National Assembly and he is known for hard work, honesty and commitment to duties.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Housing Authority, Mr Oyetunde Ojo said their visit was for his team to familiarize itself with the State government and to inform the Governor of their desire to partner with his administration towards realizing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu in terms of affordable housing scheme for Nigerians living in the State.
He said the State government would assist with the provision of land and that it would be involved in the entire process of the housing scheme so that the project would achieve the desired objective.
The Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority explained that the housing project would be in three layers for the low, middle and upper class pointing out that the State government would provide data on beneficiaries and also guarantee that the they would pay for the houses instalmentally between five and ten years.
He disclosed that the Federal Housing Authority would build and fix only the exterior and allow every beneficiary to fix the interior according to his or her capacity.
Mr Ojo further stated that the Housing Authority would use local contractors in the State to boost its economy pointing out that the Housing Authority also intends to have a Diaspora City project while providing security wherever their projects are sited.
He commended the Farmer Governor for taking the lead among other States to actualize the food security agenda of President Tinubu and the numerous infrastructural projects ongoing in the State which he said have created lots of job opportunities with a positive effect on the Economy of the State.
The development of Mariga Local Government Area remains my priority
Executive Chairman, Mariga Local Area.