Beneficiaries of the National Housing programme who have met the requirements and completed payment, have formally received keys to the houses they applied for by the Imo State government in south-east Nigeria.
The Federal Controller of Housing, Imo State, Dania Denis Abu-Azebokhai performed the handover event on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN.
The ceremonial handover took place on the premises of the National Housing Estate, Avu, Imo State.
In an address read by the Federal Controller Housing, the Minister reiterated the commitment of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to making sure that the citizens are provided with decent and affordable houses by gradually easing the housing deficit in the country.
“As part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s developmental agenda of addressing Housing needs in Nigeria, the Federal Government inaugurated a pragmatic National Housing Programme (NHP) for the construction of acceptable and affordable houses nationwide. It is a Programme borne out of the present Government’s desire to provide affordable housing for its citizenry” he said.
Fashola emphasized that the allocation of the houses is for every citizen and there is fairness and equity in its allocation as it is on first come first serve basis.
The Minister disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure has entered a season of completion and handover of keys to beneficiaries of houses in 35 States and the FCT who have successfully subscribed through the open Ministry’s website marks some of the administration’s successes.
“We have therefore offered all these housing units to members of the general public in a non-discriminatory way by opening the Portal to ensure fairness and equity” He said.
Fashola also encouraged all Nigerians to avail themselves of the opportunity of owning a house in the 36 States and the FCT except for Lagos State.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Work and Housing, Bashir Nura Alkali who was represented by the Deputy Director, Planning Research and Statistics, Housing, Onyetenu Joseph Emeka particularly welcomed the beneficiaries of the sales of the houses built under the first phase of the programme.
He stated that the philosophy behind the National Housing Programme is the provision of a pilot scheme that is affordable, accessible and acceptable as contained in the policy.
He added that the approach to the design and use of materials takes cognizance of the cultural and climatic peculiarities of the regions, while responding also to the tenets of the Building Energy and Efficiency Code being championed by the Ministry.
In a response after collecting her keys, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Rosemary Onyeneke appreciated the Federal Government immensely for the allocation.
She said “this shows that the government has the interest of the poor masses at heart. I got to know about it online and applied, I followed all the steps and approval was given to me”
Mrs Rosemary urged other Nigerians to key in to the scheme, pointing out that there was no backdoor business in the process.
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