President Bola Tinubu has approved the construction of at least 2,400 housing units across Nigeria before December 2024.
The president issued the directive to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to kickstart work immediately in the country’s six geopolitical zones.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Thursday.
President Tinubu gave the go-ahead at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of 3,112 housing units of Renewed Hope City in Karsana, Abuja.
A World Bank organization, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, reports that there are presently around 28 million housing shortages in Nigeria.
He reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to give Nigerians access to excellent and reasonably priced housing.
“I am happy to hear that the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has already awarded contracts for the construction of 2,000 housing units in 12 states (two per geo-political zone) as Renewed Hope Estates.
“In this regard, the minister is to proceed with the groundbreaking ceremonies in the 12 locations and the estates must be completed before the end of 2024,” Tinubu said.
According to the president and ECOWAS chair, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development will be given the political will needed to ensure that historic difference is made by his administration in the area of housing.
The project is the Federal Government’s target of 20,000 housing units to be constructed under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He affirmed that his government had “resolved to face the housing challenge with the clarity of purpose and determination that is required to break all the barriers that stand in our way of success”.
“That is why I took the historic decision of separating the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development from Works so it can be fully aligned towards tackling the nation’s massive housing problem.
“That is also why I have appointed experienced professionals with proven track records of delivering in the housing sector to lead the Ministry,” Tinubu said.
He said his vision was to use the plan to construct dynamic, self-sustaining, and integrated communities that were equipped to improve living condition for Nigerians.
“This includes well-connected access and internal roads, provision of reliable and uninterrupted electricity, healthcare facilities to offer accessible and quality medical services and educational institutions to provide learning environments that nurture knowledge and skills.
“Our goal is to increase the sense of togetherness, improve the health and productivity of our citizens and reduce pressure on city centres.
“On this note, I am today directing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the Minister of Works to provide access roads to all Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Projects to increase accessibility and livability, starting with this site in Karsana.”