FG to build 1,000 low-cost houses in Ibadan, partners Oyo govt

The Federal Government through the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) is to construct over 1,000 lowand medium- cost houses in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

The houses will sit on 1,000 hectares of land at Ajoda New Town, along Ibadan-ife expressway.

The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, FHA, Gbenga Ashafa, after a familiarisation tour of the project , said the housing scheme was aimed at providing affordable homes for Nigerians, which is part of the promise of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Ashafa, who was accompanied by some FHA directors, said the builders are already doing due diligence before erecting the buildings in line with the standards of FHA.

Describing Ajoda New Town project as a “work-inprogress,” pointed out that the estate is open to all Nigerians regardless of wherever they live.

According to him, what the Federal Government through the National Housing Scheme (NHS) has done is to get some Nigerian developers to put in their expression of interest. We gave them the land to build. With that, we became partners. And then through the quantities, they determine the terrain of the land. They have said that there are some portions of the land which used to be dump sites. This shows the thoroughness of our approach. When we are about to undertake a project, we do the needful by looking at the soil type. Our engineers will design. In this case, the houses built so far have reinforced foundation.

Ashafa however seized the opportunity to seek the partnership and support of the Oyo State Government in the area of provision of infrastructure, so as to open up the area (new site) for more development opportunities for Public Housing.

“We are partnering with the Oyo State Government. We have requested the governor to please intervene in the area of the major road in the community. If it is expanded and tarred it will open up the estate. The road will also extend to the police formation. All those informed the sense in choosing this location. The security of our people is germane to us. The bottomline as far as President Muhammadu Buhari and minister Babatunde Fashola are concerned is that the final product must be affordable to an average Nigerian.

“I have gone through the project and I have seen that the amount being quoted is affordable to the middle and upper low income earners. When you compare that to what you get outside, you will know that this government is trying.”