Over 252,800 Jobs Created Through FG’s Housing Projects, Says Minister

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Dangiwa, has disclosed that the housing projects embarked upon by the current administration have provided no fewer than 252, 800 jobs for Nigerians in the last 15 months.

Dangiwa, who spoke in Abuja Saturday night during the 6th Africa Housing Awards and Industry End-Of-Year Dinner, said the FG was constructing 12 Renewed Hope Estates, comprising 250 housing units each, across 12 states, with two states from each geo-political zone.

He explained that with an average of 25 jobs per house, the ongoing projects had directly and indirectly generated over 252,800 jobs for Nigerians, including skilled and unskilled workers.

“Through the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, we currently have 14 active construction sites nationwide, for a total of 10,112 housing units.

“We are currently constructing 12 Renewed Hope Estates, comprising 250 housing units each, across 12 states, with two states from each geo-political zone.

“The cities are larger urban projects being developed in the FCT (3,112 units), Kano (2,000 units), and Lagos (2,000 units), with additional cities planned in Enugu, Borno, Rivers, and Nasarawa.

The housing sector’s potential as a driver of economic growth is evident in the job opportunities that the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme has created.

”At an average of 25 jobs per house, the ongoing projects have directly and indirectly generated over 252,800 jobs for Nigerians, including skilled and unskilled workers”, he said.

Dangiwa, who admitted that there were many unfilled gaps in the country’s housing sector, said the FG had commenced reforms in land administration, social housing and building materials manufacturing, housing data and several other aspects of the housing and urban development value chain.

He said, “We have commenced reforms in land administration, social housing and building materials manufacturing, housing data, and several other aspects of the housing and urban development value chain.

“As we move into the new year, we are optimistic of more progress and practical results. As we gather today to give ourselves a pat on the back, let us remember that there is still so much to do as we have only just begun to scratch the surface.

“This shouldn’t be a moment to become complacent, but to reflect on the so many gaps we still have to fill to better the lives of Nigerians”.

Earlier, the former Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals, Architect Musa Sada, who chaired the event, had advocated social housing and called on the Federal Government to make the housing sector ‘pleasurable’ with stronger policies.

Sada said, ” For the regulators of the sector, the government, we have to start looking at issues with very strong policies and regulations. The policies need to be made stronger, and we need to come up with regulations that will give us the pleasure and the comfort to be able to operate in the sector.

“Let us start thinking of commodifying our houses. Let there be commodities that we can trade with. These are some of the ideas we need to throw out at ourselves. We need to chew and we need to come up with additional ideas and things that we can do.

“Of course, one of the issues very close to my heart is social housing. We need to start a discussion if we want to solve the housing problem in the country. Social housing is key. 80 per cent of the Nigerian population rely on social housing for us to be able to solve the housing problem of the country.”

Over 252,800 Jobs Created Through FG’s Housing Projects, Says Minister is first published on The Whistler Newspaper