- FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WORKS AND HOUSING
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NATIONAL HOUSING PROGRAMME: NIGERIANS INVITED TO APPLY AS FASHOLA LAUNCHES PORTAL FOR SALE OF HOUSESĀ Ā
- Over 5,000 houses up for sale across 34 states of the Federation, which construction generated jobs, economic growth, says Minister
- Online sale to ensure credibility, openness and reduce human intervention, underhand practice
- Encourages FHA, FMBN, to use portal, states to adapt portal for sales of their housesĀ
- President of NGE, Permanent Secretary, commend FG, Minister for commitment to housing delivery, innovativeness
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Nigerians can now apply for houses built under the current Federal Governmentās National Housing Programme (NHP) in 34 states of the country following the launch, Friday of the portal by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN through which interested members of the public could apply for allocation.
The formal launch of the portal,Ā https://Ā nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng,Ā which took place at the Conference Room of the Ministry in Mabushi, Abuja, throws open the door for Nigerians to apply online to buy the available 5,000 plus housing units, ranging from 1, 2 to 3 bedroom bungalows and blocks of flats in any location of their choice.
In his remarks at the ceremony, which was attended by prominent stakeholders and media executives including the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors, Mr. Mustapha Isah, Fashola said the decision by the Ministry to sell the available houses online was to bring credibility to the exercise and reduce human intervention as well as give all categories of buyers a level playing field.
The Minister told his audience, āWe converge here just to introduce a portal on which the National Housing Programme pilot will be offered for sale to the public.Ā Ā What that means is that we will not be selling printed forms, the forms are online and this allows for more openness, limits human intervention and any disposition to any underhand practiceā.
Clarifying that the decision to adopt online sale of forms and limit human intervention was not an indictment of the staff, he added, āIt is just to make the system more accountable and people seeing credibility if they win and if they are not successful they will equally know that the system has at least given them a fair chanceā.
Fashola, who described the launch of the portal as āthe end game of our economic objectiveā, explained that the government did not just set out to build houses, adding that the project has served many purposes, the first of which was to test what sort of houses Nigerians would like to live in so as to make policies to guide its agencies and parastatals, as well as other stakeholders, to build what could be acceptable in the markets.
āWe are the policy head of those parastatals like the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and so on. We are saying that the National Housing Programme had not succeeded in the past and some of the houses built then still remain empty. So we conducted a national survey across the zones just to find out what is acceptableā, the Minister said.
The findings, he said, were that while in the Northern part of the country there was preference for bungalow and large expanse of land which encouraged building horizontally, in the Southern part, there seemed to be acceptance for blocks of flats and lack of space which made building vertically necessary.
Emphasizing that the current National Housing Programme is a pilot or demonstration scheme meant, among others, to galvanize private sector participation, Fashola explained further, āWe applied for land from the states and we set out to do a demonstration or a pilot programme because we then wanted to validate what we saw and build a pilot schemeā.
āSo as at today we have built 5,000 plus units in different stages of completion. We have done in Phase 1
and we have done in Phase 2 and some have started in Phase 3ā, the Minister reiterated adding that the other purpose the scheme has served was to fulfill part of the objectives of the administrationās Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).
He added, āIt was also a way to implement our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) because as at the time we conceived this programme, the country was in recessionā, expressing delight that it has fulfilled that objective because over 1,000 contractors were engaged on the building sites; ābusinesses owned by Nigerians and Nigerian contractorsā.
Pointing out that no foreign contractor was engaged in the project, Fashola added that it was not only an opportunity for nation building but an opportunity for the contractors to sustain their staff.
In his goodwill message after the launch, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Mustapha Isah, commended the Federal Government for its commitment to housing delivery. He also commended the Minister for the innovations he has brought to bear at the national level, which, according to him, was a replication of his development initiatives as Governor in Lagos State.
Also in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Babangida Hussaini commended President Buhari and the Minister for their commitment to programmes and projects that promote prosperity for the citizens and grow the nationās economy.
Aside the NGE President, other media personalities present were the Special Assistant, Digital/New Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Tolu Ogunlesi, the Secretary General of the NGE and Editor, Nationās Capital, THISDAY Newspaper Group, Mr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren and the Deputy-Editor, BusinessDay Newspaper, Abuja Bureau Office, while from the Ministry, were Directors, Special Advisers and other top officials as well as Media Correspondents.
Boade AkinolaĀ
Director Press and Public Relations
Friday, November 12th, 2021
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PRESS RELEASE
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SANWO-OLU COMMISSIONS ISE POLICE STATION IN LEKKI
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- Reiterates Commitment to Security of Lives, Property of Lagosians
In line with his administration’s commitment to the security of lives and property of the people of Lagos State as articulated in the Security and Governance pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S. development agenda, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday commissioned Ise Town Police Station in Ibeju-Lekki of Lekki Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the State.
Speaking during the commissioning of the newly constructed Ise Police Station, Governor Sanwo-Olu said his administration remains unflinching in its resolve to boldly and efficiently deploy cutting-edge thinking and technology to prevent crime and criminality, with the hindsight that prevention is always better than cure.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, disclosed that in a situation where crime has been committed, his administration would ensure that no stone is unturned in ensuring that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice.
He said: “Our Lagos is safer and more secure today because of the improved operational capacities of our security agencies. Note that individuals and corporate organisations have made this possible largely through the financial and material donations to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund. The effectiveness of this initiative as a strategy to fight and prevent crime has been widely acknowledged through its replication by other subnational governments, and even at the national level.
“Therefore, the construction of this Police Station is another fulfilment of our strong commitment to safer and secure clime that will engender confidence of investors considering the fact that this area is within the precinct of Lekki Free Trade Zone, the emerging industrial hub of not only Lagos State but also Nigeria.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu while stressing the need for synergy between the security agencies and the people to curb crime, urged the people of Ise community to fully cooperate and collaborate with the Security personnel that would be deployed to the new Police Station to assist and strengthen the security in the environment so as to ensure the full realisation of the objectives behind the construction and equipping of this Police station.
The Governor, who encouraged the Police formation to deploy the best of their professionals to Ise Police Station, promised that his administration would not relent in prioritising the needs and wellbeing of the men and officers of security agencies in Lagos State.
“In furtherance of our commitment, work will commence before the end of this year on the construction of two other Police stations at Elepe in Ikorodu and Lekki. In addition, we will be constructing a modern office facility for Area āNā Police Command Headquarters in Ijede, as well as the reconstruction of Alimosho and Ikeja offices of Department of State Security Services.
“All of these projects, when completed, will provide a conducive environment for our security operatives to perform optimally,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended the Onise of Ise, His Royal Highness, Oba Ganiu Adegbesan for his firm commitment to the safety and socio-economic development of his people and community as demonstrated by his request for government intervention in providing the Police Station to address the spate of kidnapping and activities of land-grabbers, among other criminal activities within the community and its environs.
Speaking earlier, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operation), Mr. Ahmed Kontagora, commended the Lagos State Government for the newly constructed Ise Police Station.
He said building of the Police Station in Ise would reduce crime among the people of the community and Lekki LCDA at large.
Also speaking, Oba Adegbesan praised Governor Sanwo-Olu for delivering the dividends of democracy to Lagosians, especially the ongoing construction of Lagos-Epe Expressway and other infrastructure, which have turned many parts of the State to construction sites.
The traditional ruler commended the role played by Mr. Tayo Ayinde toward the building of the Ise Police Station, stating that the government gesture would contribute immensely to reduction of crimes in the community.
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SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
NOVEMBER 11, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
SANWO-OLU CONDOLES WITH PASTOR TAIWO ODUKOYA OVER WIFEāS DEATH
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has condoled with Pastor Taiwo Odukoya over the death of his beloved wife, Nomthi.
The Governor described the unfortunate death of the late Pastor Mrs. Odukoya as a painful and sad occurrence.
The Governor urged Pastor Odukoya to take heart and not lose the strength of his mind, believing that his wife had gone to be with her maker.
The Governor said that death is one of those harsh realities of life that we have to accept, adding that the wonderful children and other family members she left behind have a long life ahead.
The Governor, on behalf of his wife, Dr. Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and the people of Lagos State, prayed for the soul of the bereaved.
He also prayed for her family members, the Fountain of Life Bible Church and the entire Christian faithful over the loss of Pastor Mrs. Nomthi Odukoya, asking God to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
NOVEMBER 10, 2021
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Akeredolu lauds the initiative of Yoruba World Centre at University of Ibadan
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has extolled the initiative to establish a Yoruba World Centre inside the University of Ibadan by the International Centre for Yoruba arts and Culture (INCEYAC), saying it is a project that must be supported by all. “A project of this nature must be supported by all, for it is a project for the good of the people”, the Governor emphasised.
He was speaking in his Akure office when he received an INCEYAC team led by Mr Alao Adedayo, the publisher of Alaroye and the initiator of the project. The team that went to brief the Governor on the coming presentation and turning of the first sod of INCEYAC by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, also had Mr Tunde Kelani, the renowned cinematographer and Mr Gabriel Sosanya.
Mr Akeredolu said the collaboration of INCEYAC and the University of Ibadan is a development that must be encouraged, so as to allow developments in many fields. He lamented that the language, arts and culture of Yoruba continue to go down by the day, and it is the duty of concerned personalities to save the situation.
“This problem starts from our various homes, and this involves all of us. We refuse to use or encourage our children to use our language, or learn about the arts and culture of our people, and it is something that must be stopped. We in the Southwest Governors’ Forum are working hard on this to see that every state makes the study of Yoruba compulsory up to secondary level. It is one of the ways we plan to address the situation.”
The Governor not only promised to attend the UI-INCEYAC programme on Tuesday, 23 November, 2021, he also assured the team that he would personally speak with his colleagues in the region to also grace the occasion. “Yes, I will personally come, and I will send words round to my colleagues that it is a programme we must attend, to show our support for this collaboration that’s meant for the preservation and protection of our history, language, arts and culture!”
The initiator of the project had earlier told Governor Akeredolu that the Centre which will be filled with books, documents, artefact, records, art works, etc. is being put together by the Institute of African Studies, Yoruba Language Centre of University of Ibadan and INCEYAC.Ā Ā It is expected to be a one-stop shop where researchers, journalists, writers and members of the general public interested in Yoruba history, arts and culture can approach to source for all materials needed.
“Not only this,” says Adedayo, “the Centre will locate lost or forgotten Yoruba historical materials, music and arts, and make same available at the Centre for general usage. It will also digitise and reconstruct historical facts through documentary and films on all subjects relating to the Yoruba people, thereby making search by researchers and others easy, and needed materials ready.”
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Rt. Hon. Dekor Justifies Why Gov Wike Should Lead Consultative Meeting With FG
ā¦Lambasts Those Opposed To The Unanimous Position of Ogoni Stakeholders
ā¦Pays Tribute To Ogoni People On Heroes Day Anniversary
The member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dumnamene Robinson Dekor insists Governor Nyesom Wike is the right person to lead the planned Multi-Stakeholder Consultative Meeting between the Ogoni leaders and the Federal government over resumption of oil production in OML 11.
Rt. Hon. Dekor said the controversy triggered by the choice of Governor Wike among sections of Ogoni people is unnecessary, arguing that as the Chief Security Officer of the State, there is hardly any such high level meeting with the federal government as was the tradition in the past without involving the State governor.
The Federal lawmaker who is a former Deputy Speaker, and one time Commissioner for Works in the State recalled similar occasions when past Governors including former Rivers State governor, and now Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and his Minister for Niger Delta Affairs counterpart, Godswill Akpabio among others had been on Ogoni peopleās delegation to the Presidency on issues concerning Ogoni nation.
Sensing partisan politics as the reason for opposing Gov Wikeās leadership of the Multi- Stakeholder Consultative Meeting, Rt. Hon. Dekor said this is one issue that must not be politicized.
He accused members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as architects of the seeming controversy on who should and should not lead the Ogoni delegation to the planned Multi- Stakeholder Consultative Meeting.
Rt. Hon. Dekor described those opposed to the unanimous decision of Ogoni stakeholders that Gov Wike should be at the head of the delegation as enemies of Ogoni people.
The federal lawmaker said inclusion of the Governor who is the Chief Security Officer of the State is in the interest of the Ogoni people, because it would enhance deeper and meaningful consultation with an impactful and meaningful outcome.
On the 26th Ogoni Heroes Day Anniversary, November 10, 2021, Rt. Hon. Dekor believes the Ogoni martyrs did not die in vain, positing that their blood is the seed of democracy in Nigeria and connotes respect for human dignity.
Congratulating the Ogoni people on the occasion of the death of the internationally acclaimed environmentalist, and Ogoni hero, Ken Saro-Wiwa and others who lost their lives for the sustainanceĀ of democracy in Nigeria, the House Committee Chairman on Host Communities said though Ken and his kinsmen are gone, they still live on having left lasting legacies and everlasting memories in the heart of people.
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RIWAMA Sole Administrator, Obuah Takes Campaign Against Indiscriminate Dumping Of Wastes To Elelenwo, Aba Road, Woji, Others
In order to ensure that no part of Port Harcourt the state capital and its environs are Ā left out in its sensitization and enlightenment campaign against indiscriminate dumping of wastes outside the approved time and government approved receptacles, the Rivers State Waste Management Agency, RIWAMA, has taken the campaign to Elelenwo, Aba Road, Woji Town and the Slaughter axis of the city, all in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State, Tuesday, November 9, 2021.
At the vanguard of the sensitization/enlightenment team was the Director of Environmental Health and Operations of the Agency, Mrs. Helen Ohaka who represented the Sole Administrator, Bro Felix Obuah.
The campaign by RIWAMA is geared at keeping residents and those doing business in the State constantly aware and alive to their obligation of not only keeping their homes, offices, markets and other surroundings clean at all times but also adhere to the sanitation laws of the State by dumping all wastes at government approved receptacles between the hours of 6pm ā 12midnight daily.
The RIWAMA team emphasized the efforts of the State government through the Agency in both financial and infrastructural terms to show the seriousness of government in creating no room for dirts in any part of the State capital.
Not complying with the laws and acting in contradiction to the Agencyās simple demands therefore, will attract dire consequences, the RIWAMA boss warned.
āWe therefore plead that you help the Agency and help yourselves live a health lifeā, he further appealed.
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Jerry Needam
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to
Bro. Felix Obuah, Sole Administrator,
Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA).
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Wednesday, November 10, 2021
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FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WORKS AND HOUSING
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Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā PRESS RELEASE
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NATIONAL HOUSING PROGRAMME: NIGERIANS INVITED TO APPLY AS FASHOLA LAUNCHES PORTAL FOR SALE OF HOUSESĀ Ā
- Over 5,000 houses up for sale across 34 states of the Federation, which construction generated jobs, economic growth, says Minister
- Online sale to ensure credibility, openness and reduce human intervention, underhand practice
- Encourages FHA, FMBN, to use portal, states to adapt portal for sales of their housesĀ
- President of NGE, Permanent Secretary, commend FG, Minister for commitment to housing delivery, innovativeness
Ā
Nigerians can now apply for houses built under the current Federal Governmentās National Housing Programme (NHP) in 34 states of the country following the launch, Friday of the portal by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN through which interested members of the public could apply for allocation.
The formal launch of the portal,Ā https://Ā nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng,Ā which took place at the Conference Room of the Ministry in Mabushi, Abuja, throws open the door for Nigerians to apply online to buy the available 5,000 plus housing units, ranging from 1, 2 to 3 bedroom bungalows and blocks of flats in any location of their choice.
In his remarks at the ceremony, which was attended by prominent stakeholders and media executives including the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors, Mr. Mustapha Isah, Fashola said the decision by the Ministry to sell the available houses online was to bring credibility to the exercise and reduce human intervention as well as give all categories of buyers a level playing field.
The Minister told his audience, āWe converge here just to introduce a portal on which the National Housing Programme pilot will be offered for sale to the public.Ā Ā What that means is that we will not be selling printed forms, the forms are online and this allows for more openness, limits human intervention and any disposition to any underhand practiceā.
Clarifying that the decision to adopt online sale of forms and limit human intervention was not an indictment of the staff, he added, āIt is just to make the system more accountable and people seeing credibility if they win and if they are not successful they will equally know that the system has at least given them a fair chanceā.
Fashola, who described the launch of the portal as āthe end game of our economic objectiveā, explained that the government did not just set out to build houses, adding that the project has served many purposes, the first of which was to test what sort of houses Nigerians would like to live in so as to make policies to guide its agencies and parastatals, as well as other stakeholders, to build what could be acceptable in the markets.
āWe are the policy head of those parastatals like the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and so on. We are saying that the National Housing Programme had not succeeded in the past and some of the houses built then still remain empty. So we conducted a national survey across the zones just to find out what is acceptableā, the Minister said.
The findings, he said, were that while in the Northern part of the country there was preference for bungalow and large expanse of land which encouraged building horizontally, in the Southern part, there seemed to be acceptance for blocks of flats and lack of space which made building vertically necessary.
Emphasizing that the current National Housing Programme is a pilot or demonstration scheme meant, among others, to galvanize private sector participation, Fashola explained further, āWe applied for land from the states and we set out to do a demonstration or a pilot programme because we then wanted to validate what we saw and build a pilot schemeā.
āSo as at today we have built 5,000 plus units in different stages of completion. We have done in Phase 1 and we have done in Phase 2 and some have started in Phase 3ā, the Minister reiterated adding that the other purpose the scheme has served was to fulfill part of the objectives of the administrationās Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).
He added, āIt was also a way to implement our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) because as at the time we conceived this programme, the country was in recessionā, expressing delight that it has fulfilled that objective because over 1,000 contractors were engaged on the building sites; ābusinesses owned by Nigerians and Nigerian contractorsā.
Pointing out that no foreign contractor was engaged in the project, Fashola added that it was not only an opportunity for nation building but an opportunity for the contractors to sustain their staff.
In his goodwill message after the launch, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Mustapha Isah, commended the Federal Government for its commitment to housing delivery. He also commended the Minister for the innovations he has brought to bear at the national level, which, according to him, was a replication of his development initiatives as Governor in Lagos State.
Also in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Babangida Hussaini commended President Buhari and the Minister for their commitment to programmes and projects that promote prosperity for the citizens and grow the nationās economy.
Aside the NGE President, other media personalities present were the Special Assistant, Digital/New Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Tolu Ogunlesi, the Secretary General of the NGE and Editor, Nationās Capital, THISDAY Newspaper Group, Mr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren and the Deputy-Editor, BusinessDay Newspaper, Abuja Bureau Office, while from the Ministry, were Directors, Special Advisers and other top officials as well as Media Correspondents.
Boade AkinolaĀ
Director Press and Public Relations
Friday, November 12th, 2021
