CITIZENS COMPASS —The federal government says plans are underway to build 1, 000 units of low-cost houses in Ondo State as part of the first phase of its affordable housing initiative.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Housing Authority, Mr Oyetunde Ojo, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Ondo State, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, in Akure.
He was accompanied on the visit by the FHA’s Executive Director, Business Development, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi Dankane, Executive Director, Estate Services, Arch. Ezekiel Ntok, the General Manager, Legal and Secretary to the Board, Barrister Aliyu Kaura and the General Manager, Partnership, Arch. Peter Okpanachi.
Hon. Ojo said the visit was to seek the partnership of the State government towards the project which he said will take off before the end of the year.
According to him, the initiative is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and will be implemented across the country.
Ojo, who commended the administration of Governor Aiyedatiwa for what it has achieved in little time in office, added that the project will complement the efforts of the administration in promoting the welfare of the residents.
He said: “We at FHA decided that before we embark on any project in a State, we must visit the State and consult with the government. This is also to ensure that we do not impose our designs on any State, rather we build according to the peculiar needs of each State.
“So, this is why we want to partner with the Ondo State Government, not only for you to provide us with land, but so that you can guide us on how best to satisfy the housing needs of the people of the State.
“There will be studio rooms, one-bedroom and the rest so that many low income residents, especially young people, can afford them just like it is applicable in advanced countries.
“We are also looking at carcass. We can build the structures and do the exterior but leave the finishing to be done by the occupant. Let the person do the finishing according to their taste or finance.”
Responding, Governor Aiyedatiwa thanked Hon. Ojo and the FHA for picking Ondo as one of the earliest beneficiaries of the scheme, promising that his administration will give the needed support for the success of the project.
The Governor, who congratulated Hon. Ojo on his well deserved appointment into the FHA, commended his decision to embark on such a visit to dialogue with host states before implementing such a project.
He said: “We have members of our team here to interact with your team to ensure that we give you all you need to make a success of this project because we are happy this is coming to us at this time.
“I want to assure you that we will key into this laudable initiative and play pivotal role because we want to be part of progress in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President and to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people.
“Shelter is one of the major provisions a government can give to its people and housing is in short supply in the State. So, this is a welcome development for us and we are ready to partner with you on the project.”
Those who attended the meeting included the Deputy Governor, Chief Olayide Adelami, Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Tayo Oluwatuyi, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Segun Omojuwa, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN, Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Akogun Akinwumi Sowore, Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Pastor Babalola and Special Adviser on Information, Hon Olugbenga Omole.
