Government on Thursday announced that it had commenced the construction of mass
housing projects in 33 states across the country. It also called for an upward
review of up to 50 per cent as mobilisation funds for contractors, especially
emerging contractors operating in the industry, in order to enable them deliver
their projects satisfactorily.
Minister of Power, Works
and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who disclosed this at the sixth meeting of the
National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, told delegates at the
event that with ongoing housing projects, the government had fulfilled the
commitment it made at the 2016 council meeting by 90 per cent.
Commenting
on the progress report on the National Housing Programme , which was discussed
at last year’s meeting, Fashola said, “At the time of the council meeting in
August 2016, I reported that we were finalising designs to accommodate our
cultural, climatic and other diversities.
“I had explained that when the
designs were completed, we would commence construction to pilot the designs and
test them for affordability and acceptability. I am pleased to report that
construction has started in 33 states where land has been made available.” He
added, “This is in fulfilment of another commitment made at last year ’ s council
by at least 90 per cent.”
The minister said he had personally visited
project sites in Taraba, Gombe, Ekiti and Oyo states, adding that “what I saw
demonstrates to me very clearly how impactful the National Housing Programme has
been, even at the pilot and inception stage .”
