The Federal Government has developed over 100 slums and upgraded several urban renewal projects across the country in the past two years, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has said.
Dangiwa revealed this while receiving the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba M. Ahmadu, in Abuja. He explained that the projects include water supply, drainage systems, roads, sanitation, street lighting, and interventions in schools and hospitals.
He stressed the need for collaboration between the two ministries to enhance their service delivery.
“With this type of collaboration, we can exchange ideas and leverage certain privileges that one has, and find a way of enhancing our ministerial service delivery that we have sworn to deliver,” Dangiwa stated.
The minister said the government is also developing over 1,000 housing units and hopes to build more through partnerships with commissions and agencies. He added that their goal is to provide affordable housing, drive urban renewal, and foster development.
According to him, the Renewed Hope Cities project will feature blocks of flats, duplexes, and terraces in each geo-political zone and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Dangiwa further explained that the Renewed Hope Estates project will cover the remaining 30 states, with 250 units of one-, two-, and three-bedroom flats planned for two locations in each geo-political zone.
Highlighting the National Social Housing Programme, he said it targets low-income earners, the vulnerable, and underprivileged citizens, with plans to build 100 houses in each local government area.
Dangiwa noted the job creation potential of housing projects, stating that the ministry’s 10,112 ongoing constructions could generate about 250,000 jobs, with each house creating at least 25 job opportunities.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, added, “Currently, Mr. President has performed the groundbreaking of 3,112 houses funded under PPP in Abuja, 2,000 houses in Lagos, and 2,000 units in Kano.”
Earlier, the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba M. Ahmadu, explained that his ministry was created to take development to grassroots levels through commissions under its supervision.
Ahmadu acknowledged housing as a key focus for his ministry and expressed the desire to align with the Housing Ministry to avoid project duplication.
He informed Dangiwa of a 1,000-housing-unit estate at Mafa Local Government Area in Borno State, adding that collaboration between the two ministries would ensure better execution.
“Our goal is to undertake urban renewal, infrastructure development in selected cities, smart housing, and explore financing models to fund these projects,” Ahmadu said.
Dr. Belgore expressed hope that the meeting would lead to a strong partnership between the two ministries, ensuring positive impacts for Nigerians.
