By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The federal government and Shelter Afrique Development Bank has signed a development partnership to finance the construction of over 5,000 pilot housing units in Nigeria.
It was gathered that the initiative is to boost efforts to close the country’s housing gap to improve standards of living in the country .
The signing of the Memoranda of Understanding ( MoU) took place in in Abuja, a ministerial press briefing to mark the one year in office, of the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.
Dangiwa said this marked the first time the ministry would engage in such a direct and practical partnership with a multilateral institution.
“We are set to sign a Housing Development Partnership with Shelter Afrique Development. Under the Partnership, the Pan-African housing institution will support the Renewed Hope Programme with advisory services and financing of competent developers”, he added.
The minister, who spoke about Nigeria’s significant stake in Shelter Afrique, noted that the country is the second-largest shareholder in the institution, following Kenya.
“Nigeria holds over $29m in share subscription in ShafDB. This partnership is not just timely but necessary as we work towards bridging the massive housing deficit that our nation faces”, he said.
He lauded the commitment of Shelter Afrique’s leadership, particularly acknowledging the presence of the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Thierno Hann, who travelled from Kenya to attend the event.
“This initiative is a component of the broader Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which seeks to increase the stock of affordable housing in Nigeria.
“I want to especially thank the Managing Director of the Bank, Mr. Thierno Habib Hann, for coming from Kenya to be a part of today’s event. His presence underscores the importance of this partnership”, he stated.
On the progress made in the last one year, Dangiwa said his ministry recorded groundbreaking of 6,612 housing units across 13 locations nationwide under the Renewed Hope Cities Initiative.
He stated that the 6,612 housing units are expected to employ over 165,000 skilled and unskilled Nigerians.
The minister, however, announced plans for additional housing projects in Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Borno, Nasarawa, and Rivers under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme.
“We plan to do groundbreaking for 2,000 housing units Renewed Hope Cities in Lagos and 1,500 housing units in Kano next month”, he said
Dangiwa, however, called for increased budgetary allocations to sustain the momentum, adding that more funds would assist the ministry to implement its ambitious housing projects.
According to him: “We made a solemn request for the budgetary allocation of a minimum of N500bn per annum for the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme. Our request was well-received by the National Assembly.”
Speaking earlier, Thierno Hann, who commended Nigeria for its contributions to the growth of Shelter Afrique, announced the readiness of the housing investment bank to support the country with a 5000-housing unit.
He said: “The Land of Intent and Roadmap that we are about to sign today represent a landmark and historical milestone in Shelter Africa Development Bank’s partnership with Nigeria for advisory services and financing of developments and PPPs towards the construction of 5,000 affordable housing units to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Ministry for Housing and Urban Development.
“We want to reiterate our commitment to doing all within our powers to make a difference and justify the confidence that His Excellency reposes in us.”
On his part, Chairman, Committee on Housing and Habitat, Abdulmumin Jibrin, who congratulated the minister on his one year anniversary said they are looking forward to the land commission.
“We’re really, really looking forward eagerly towards that. I’ve seen the ministry focus on the social housing funds. I’ve seen a lot of efforts being pushed towards that.
“I also understand that a bill is coming and be rest assured that we will treat that bill with dispatch by the time it comes. And it will be a major game changer in the housing sector”, he said.
Not left out, Chairman House Committee on Urban regional development, Hon. Abiante Dagomie applauded the housing ministry for their achievements thus far.
He also urged the ministry to adequately paid attention to the very fundamental aspects of planning, integration and delivering the houses to solve problems and not creating more.
