Taskforce on projects monitoring coming soon, says Gov. Bala

From Ahmad Mohammed, Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has pledged to establish a task force in his office for monitoring and evaluation of projects as he performed the ground breaking ceremony of the construction of 2,500 affordable housing units in collaboration with Family Homes Funds Limited.
Speaking at the ceremony held at Dungal Village of Bauchi Local Government, Governor Bala Mohammed said the project was designed to be completed within 12 months.
The governor said the houses are coming in a period when the state’s demographics have changed dramatically due to internal displacement caused by insurgency as many people within the region came to the state thereby creating a significant imbalance especially in respect of existing facilities.
He assured that, quality assurance mechanism has been established with a corresponding compliance arrangement to drive the project to effective delivery as that will protect the goodwill of the government and people of the state as well as the federal government.
Governor Bala Mohammed said in compliance with the government intention of providing opportunities to the people, his emphasis on the local content and community engagement is very clear.
The governor therefore called on the contractors of the housing project in all the emirates to patronize local suppliers to enrich the value chain that this project will create for the benefit of the host communities.
On her part, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed Shamshuna applauded Governor Bala Mohammed for recognizing housing as a major need of his people by going into partnership with the Family Homes Funds.
Represented by the Ambassador Adamu Jumba, the Minister said the flag off of the construction project was not just witnessing the ground breaking of the 2,500 houses, but also the beginning of milestones that will bring great development to the state.

The Managing Director of the Construction Company, Family Homes Funds Limited, Mr Femi Adewole said affordable housing project was part of the efforts of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to improve the well-being of Nigerians.

The Managing Director said over 20 thousand youths in the state are expected to be engaged for the work and applauded the governor for ensuring the actualization of the project.

In a welcome address, the State Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Honourable Hamisu Muazu Shira explained that the state affordable housing project has a moratorium span of about 4 years while the period of repayment is in the bracket of 12 years and 15y years as the building provides expansion spaces as family grow.

The Houses will be distributed as follows: Bauchi Emirate Council, 1,500 units, Azare in Katagum Emirate, 350 units, Misau in Misau Emirate, 250 units, Ningi in Ningi Emirate, 200 units, Jamaare in Jamaare Emirate, 100 units and Dass in Dass Emirate, 100 units.