FG completes national housing scheme audit, retains selling price

• Targets 62,000 houses in new housing scheme • Ministry plans task teams on housing, land reforms

THE Federal Government has completed an audit of the National Housing Programme ( NHP) and reviewed the allocation process, while retaining the controversial selling prices for housing units fixed by the Muhammadu Buhari Administration across the country.

The scheme, an initiative of the Federal Government is being implemented by the Ministry Housing and Urban Development and promoted by the former Minister, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and targeted at providing affordable housing for citizenry.

In November 2016, the ministry awarded N27, 448,884,281.64 worth of contracts to 542 contractors for the construction of various categories of onebedroom, two- bedroom, three- bedroom semidetached bungalows and condominiums comprising of one- bedroom, twobedroom and three- bedroom apartments nationwide. The ministry undertook construction of 6,000 housing units in 45 sites, out of which over 2,665 units had been completed in 35 states and Federal Capital Territory ( FCT).

The web portal under the scheme, launched in 2021 received over 12,387 applications from Nigerians before the scheme was partially halted. The Guardian gathered the Federal Government has opted to retain the prices of the houses introduced by the last administration due contract variations and inflation in the building materials market.

The prices of the houses are as follows: One- bedroom unit in a condominium block N7.222, 404 million, one- bedroom semidetached bungalow N9, 268,751, two- bedroom unit in a condominium block N9, 148,378, two- bedroom semi- detached bungalow ( type A) N12, 398,460 and two- bedroom semidetached bungalow ( type

B) N10, 833,606. Others are a three- bedroom unit in a condominium block N13, 241,748, three- bedroom unit in a semi- detached bungalow N16, 491,155.

Already, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has announced changes in the sale of houses under the National Housing Programme ( NHP), calling on interested Nigerians at home and abroad to apply.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mahmuda Mamman said interested applicants are to obtain Expression of Interest forms. It further stated that interested applicants, interested subscribers, who were offered a provisional offer of allocation that elapsed between March 10, 2022 and October 18, 2023 are free to re- apply by completing the Expression of Interest form.

“All interested subscribers are to obtain their Expression of Interest forms from the office of the Federal Controllers of Housing and Urban Development in the 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) at no cost. Nigerians in the Diaspora, who are interested in subscribing to the Houses, are to obtain their Expression of Interest forms from the office of the Chairman/ CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.”

However, The Guardian learnt the Bola Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Cities scheme may attract more changes to favour the low- and medium- income earners, such as incorporating ecofriendly designs, embracing technological advancements, and catering to the diverse needs of society.

The first phase of the New City Development Plan aims to deliver 22,000 units, comprising 1,000 housing units per site in one location in each of the six geo- political zones of the country and FCT namely: Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Borno, Nasarawa, Rivers, and Enugu States, while the remaining thirty ( 30) States will have Renewed Hope Estates each with a minimum of 500 housing units.

The Renewed Hope Cities will include multi- level flats to cater to low- medium income earners; terrace and detached bungalows and duplexes for the high- income earners, while the Renewed Hope Estates will have one, two and three- bedroom affordable bungalows. The phase 1, will deliver a total of 40,000 homes from a mix of sponsors, comprising the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s budgetary allocation, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria ( FMBN), and through Public Private Partnerships with reputable developers in the delivery of the new cities.

Under the scheme, ownership options include mortgage loans, Rent- to- Own and outright purchase. The first phase of the project will create direct and indirect 1,000,000 jobs at 25 jobs per unit, helping to achieve the target to lift one million Nigerians out of poverty.

The Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, told The Guardian that the soaring cost of building materials is closely tied to the broader macroeconomic environment, including rampant inflation. He is yearning for an affordable house that is reasonably priced and within the financial means of individuals and families with lower incomes.

He said that such a house should not cost more than 30 per cent of a household's income. This includes rent or mortgage payments, as well as utilities and maintenance costs. This puts the preferred cost of a house that an average Nigerian can afford at within the range of N4 to N7 million.

“However, I am dedicated to seeking innovative measures to reduce building material costs, enabling more Nigerians to secure housing. “I plan to foster the growth and sustainability of the Building Material

Producers Association of Nigeria ( BUMPAN) and similar institutions by offering fiscal incentives to small and medium- scale local manufacturers of building materials. This strategy aims to boost local production and gradually reduce dependence on imported building materials as part of a medium and longterm strategy.

“I will also encourage the adoption of appropriate and cost- effective house designs tailored to various regions of the country, addressing local considerations and preferences. I will support partnerships between research institutions and private organisations. This includes encouraging private sector organizations and other entities to fund research related to innovations in design, local materials, and their applications, as part of their corporate social responsibility.”

MEANWHILE, to sanitise the sector and ensure greater efficiency in the housing delivery process, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has moved to establish task teams such as housing, multi- agency project delivery, land reforms, and building materials manufacturing hubs. The teams, chaired by Adedeji Adesemoye, Brig. Gen. PMO Reis ( Rtd), Ugochukwu Chime, and Nuhu Way respectively will be inaugurated tomorrow in Abuja.