Tinubu promises Renewed Hope Housing Estate for states yet to get

 By Ijendu Iheaka 

Umuahia, June 27, 2024.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday assured states yet to get Renewed Hope Housing Estate that they would get theirs in 2024 after providing free land.

He promised that such states not covered under the 2023 Supplementary Budget for the project will be included in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development's 2024 Budget.

The president made the promise while performing the groundbreaking ceremony of the 250,000 Units Renewed Hope Housing Estate at Umuoche in Bende LGA of Abia.

Tinubu charged the developers of the Estate, Messrs Camp David Global Synergy Ltd, and Messrs Finuch Investment Ltd, to build according to specifications to ensure durability.

Tinubu was represented at the event by the Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa.

He said the government will not tolerate substandard work hence the need for the developers to be committed to delivering quality work according to contractual terms.

He further tasked them to ensure the project would be ready within three months, to enable indigenes begin purchasing and occupying them.

"We have created different options to enable everyone who has a source of income and livelihood to own these homes when they are completed.

"These include single-digit mortgage loans that beneficiaries can repay over 30 years.

There is also the rent-to-own schemes provided by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, and outright purchase options for people  who pay upfront", he said.

The president said that according to statistics, the construction of one housing unit would create an average of 25 direct and indirect jobs. 

He said that these 250, 000 housing units would hopefully create jobs for over 6,500 people in various trades.

"The value chain effect of construction work on this site is significant and creates a positive economic impact", he said.

He appreciated Gov. Alex Otti, for promptly granting the request for the provision of land at no cost.

He said that this singular action had reduced as much as 30 percent of the cost of the units in the estate for the benefit of potential homeowners.

Tinubu also later commissioned the construction of a Fnederal Secretariat at Ekeoba, Ohuhu in Umuahia North LGA in Abia.

He said the initial preparatory work for the construction of the secretariat is ongoing, adding that the actual construction work would begin soonest at the site.

He said the contract for the Secretariat was awarded in line with plans of the government to have a strong presence in each state of the country. 

The State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti in his speech applauded the project stressing that the state policy on housing was in agreement with that of the federal government for the country.

"We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this laudable project; this project will create jobs for Abia people and keep our youths busy. 

"We are trying our best to create the ease of doing business in Abia State. 

"We assure you as a government that everybody working in this very project would be secured to enable its timely delivery and that our people take possession of this estate", he said.

Otti thanked the president for seeking to give Nigerians roofs over their heads and promised his administration would continue to promote the importance of shelter.

The Abia Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije said the government's housing sector strides aligned with President Tinubu’s vision of provision of affordable housing to Nigerians.

 Mr Ugochukwu Otti, an architect, while speaking on behalf of the contractors said the Estate comprised 50 units of 1-bedroom semi-detached bungalows.

He also said that it has 150 units of 2-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, and 50 units of 3-bedroom semi-detached bungalows.

He said that project was designed to them affordable by using organic designs to allow for future expansion as the income of beneficiaries increased.

According to him, the estate would be well serviced with network of roads, articulated water system and electricity.

Eze Anthony Chukwu, the Ohuga IV of Bende, who spoke on behalf of Bende Community expressed delight that the project will stimulate the economy of the area.