The Federal Government has announced plans to construct 500 housing units in Kaduna State, aimed at addressing the housing deficit in Nigeria.
This development was disclosed by the Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Oyetunde Ojo, in Kaduna on Tuesday.
Ojo received the Right of Occupancy (RoO) for 157 hectares of land, which was allocated to the FHA by Gov. Uba Sani.
Ojo revealed that the housing project, set to commence before the end of 2024, wouldl be delivered in phases.
“With 157 hectares of land, we can assure the residents of Kaduna that we will build more than 500 housing units in different categories,” he stated.
Ojo explained that the land spans three locations and the plan includes the creation of ‘diaspora cities’.
“Our primary focus is on the people. We will ensure we build massively, aligning with Mr. President’s directive to provide affordable housing for Nigerians,” Ojo added.
He emphasized the importance of patience, noting the progress made since their last visit to Kaduna two months ago.
The managing director expressed gratitude to Sani for ensuring the availability of the land.
“We are about to start the groundbreaking in Kaduna, and in less than a month, you will begin to see the results of this initiative,” he said.
Ojo highlighted the broader scope of the housing projects, stating, “We are planning massive housing projects across Nigeria.
”The Federal Housing Authority, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and private developers are all contributing.
”Additionally, Ojo mentioned that the Federal Executive Council has recently approved an infrastructural fund, with the FHA set to be a major beneficiary.
“We assure Nigerians that within a year, we will deliver a significant number of housing units.” .
The housing units will be available through a 25-year mortgage, making them affordable for both the formal and informal sectors, especially since the land is being provided free by state governments.
While presenting the land documents to the FHA managingdDirector, Sani reiterated that building affordable housing was a key focus of his administration.
He said that his government had allocated over 1,000 hectares of land to both private and government developers willing to build affordable housing for the people of the state over the past year.
Sani stressed that housing was not a luxury but a necessity and a fundamental human right.
He said, “In Kaduna, we are committed to ensuring that underserved and poor individuals have at least a roof over their heads.”
The governor acknowledged the contributions of organisations like Qatar Charity Foundation, which is building hundreds of houses for the underprivileged in Kaduna for free.
“Their focus on Kaduna is due to the state’s serious commitment to providing affordable housing,” he noted.
Sani expressed confidence in the FHA boss and his team, reaffirming the state government’s support for the project.
He encouraged them to reach out for any assistance required to facilitate the groundbreaking of the project within the next two weeks. (NAN)
