... As the MD, Federal Housing Authority, Hon Oyetunde Ojo commences his visit to the South East.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive, Federal Housing Authority, Hon Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, in continuation of his consultation of all the States in the country, Tuesday 10th May, 2024 led his Management Team on a visit to the Abia State Governor, His Excellency Dr. Alex Oti (OFR).
The FHA Chief Executive, in his opening address, informed the Governor that he has come to pay him a courtesy visit, and to also bring the Renewed Hope Agenda programme of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) to Abia State on Housing.
Hon Ojo commended Dr Oti for the land mark achievements his administration has recorded within a very short time. He specifically outlined such feats as: the Geometric Power Generating Station, the Cleaning of Aba township, as well as the State Government initiated Medical Mission among others.
On Mr President's Renewed Hope Agenda on Housing, the FHA Managing Director reiterated the message he has taken to the 11 other governors the Authority had earlier visited. He informed the governor that part of Mr. The president's mission is the need to provide shelter to Nigerians, which is one of the essential needs of man.
According to Hon Ojo, "Shelter is very essential in Mr. President's mission in Nigeria. That is why Mr. President, in his Renewed Hope Agenda, recognized housing as crucial to Nigerians. "
The MD therefore told Governor Oti that FHA has come to Abia State to ask for land to enable it to deliver President Tinubu's Agenda on Housing to the people of the state. In his words, Hon Ojo told the governor; "We want land. In doing this job, we have decided to move round to consult with the State Governors, who are the real owners of the land. "
The FHA boss stated that the days are gone when the Authority would take land and build without consulting with the states. He reeaffirmed the management's end-user driven policy of consulting the states for input in concepts and designs before projects are sited by the Authority in any state. "That is why we have come to you for land, to consult you for input and design. It is not people from Abuja or Lagos who will live here. It is people from Abia that will live here. We want to meet with your team to design what your people
want. " He added.
Hon. Ojo also said that FHA intends to capitalise on the value chain effect of construction to fight inflation and stimulate the economy. He pointed out that Mr. President has shown so much interest in this sector because of the impact building and infrastructure provision can have in the creation of jobs and revamping the economy." ... we will use contactors and workers from Abia State for this project. " He pointed out.
The MD further revealed the Authority’s plan of developing Diaspora cities, where Nigerians living abroad can live comfortably with standards comparable to anywhere in the world. This, he said, would save a lot of people in diaspora from the antics of fraudsters who have always defrauded them. He equally noted that with the full digitisation of the Authority, diasporians can transact with FHA from any part of the world from the comfort of their homes and even monitor their investments.
On some of the house types to be adopted, Hon. Ojo said that FHA would show considerable interest in Studio, One Bedroom apartments, and Carcass. The Authority, he said, is considering those in the lower rung of the economy ladders.
He pointed out that it is needless imposing such expensive and other luxurious finishing like tiles, ceilings, electrical / mechanical fittings, painting, etc, on people that make the cost of houses out of reach. Carcass, he said, will enable allottees to finish to their pockets capacities and taste, while FHA will provide basic plastered and floored prototype houses with plumbing and electrical reticulation
The FHA CEO finally requested for off - takers from the governor. He noted that the state has the data of her workers from which it can create an off-takers base.
The governor, in his response, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) for his vision to house Nigerians. While congratulating the MD and his team on their appointments. He also thanked the president for appointing them to executive positions they occupy.
According to His Excellency, Dr Oti, "Let me profoundly thank the President for his decision that Nigerians should have roofs over their heads." Continuing, he said, "I congratulate you on your apportionment. I thank Mr. President for making such a sound choice. Listening to you shows you know what you have come to do in FHA. "
Governor Oti noted that the housing programme of his government aligns with the vision of President Tinubu for Nigerians. He informed that the Abia State Government has only recently identified locations for Diaspora villages in the state. The governor said Abia State would partner with FHA and commended Management's decision to consult with the people before embarking on any project.
He also described the idea of using local contractors and workers for projects as commendable and a welcome development and promised to give FHA the best.
On the issue of off - takers, he noted how critical it is and pledged the state's support to FHA in that regard. According to him, "off - takers is very critical, but be sure you will not lack it. We can even decide to off - take and lift you off the burden. We agree with you on the model. We agreed with you on the joint venture, " he concluded.
The State Government finally announced that it has about 54 hectares of land ready for the Authority to take for immediate commencement of housing development.
The Managing Director and his team later were guests of His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.
Hon Ojo relayed the same President Tinubu's message to the governor. He informed the Governor Uzodinma of the Iron cast resolve of the President to tackle the country's Housing deficit by providing affordable and livable houses to Nigerians.
The MD told His Excellency, Governor Uzodinma, that Imo was the 12th State he is visiting with his team, which has cut across all politcal divides, ranging from APC, PDP, NNP and the Labour party states. This he noted under pins the apolitical stance of the Renewed Hope Agenda programme of the President, which is purely a Nigerian project that seeks to provide roof over the people's head irrespective of their political leanings.
Similarly, the FHA boss requested land and off takers from the state.
In his response, Governor Uzodinma, who described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian, pledged to support the Renewed Hope programme of the President. He also pledged that Imo State government would partner with the Federal Housing Authority in providing affordable houses for the people of the state and profiling of the needed off takers for the project.
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