By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Federal Government of Nigeria has disclosed that it plans to embark on a full scale housing economy at the end of National Housing Programmes (NHP) pilot scheme which is bound to create more than the 1,000 workers presently employed at each site in the 33 states where the NHP is currently active.
At the pilot scheme of the NHP in both states which had a total of 38 Blocks of 76 flats each, comprising 3, 2 and 1 bedroom flats, with some already completed and delivered by the contractors and others at different stages of completion, it was stated that the scheme will also triple the ecosystem of trade and commerce at the sites which has improved the economies and financial capacities of the locals and communities around the NHP sites nationwide.
This information was revealed by Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, the Government House in Kebbi and Jigawa States.
During his visit to the two states, the Minister said Federal Government has no objection in state governments assisting to develop the road infrastructure located within their domains provided the terms of reference are respected.
According to him, this collaboration will even go a long way in deepening the dividends of democracy at the grassroots.
During his two-day inspection tour, Mr Fashola met Governor Atiku Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State and Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State.
The Minister was impressed with the standard of work and noted that the Federal Government remains committed to partnering with any state government that showed concern in providing critical infrastructure for the benefit of all citizens.
Mr Fashola inspected the National Housing Programmes in the two states as well as the 108km Kalgo-Bunza-Kamba-Peka Road which terminates at the nations border with Niger Republic.
A total of 93km stretch of the Kalgo-Bunza-Kamba-Peka-Niger Republic Border Federal road was rehabilitated with asphalt overlay by the Kebbi State Government at the sum of N1,041,753,716.17 awarded to Messrs. CGC Nigeria Limited and this has since been reimbursed by the Federal Government while 15km of the road is still outstanding.
While still in Kebbi, Mr Fashola also inspected the on-going rehabilitation of Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birnin Yauri (Sokoto/Kebbi/Niger States) phase 1 Section 11: Jega-Birnin Yauri Road (186km) which is only 22.84% completed.
The Governor of Kebbi State, Mr Artiku Abubakar Bagudu, in his remarks during the inspection, said the state government will offer Federal Government land required for the full take-off of the programme.
He also thanked the Federal Government for the speedy response at reimbursing the State for the Kalgo-Bunza-Kamba-Peka-Niger Republic Border road.
He noted that the Federal Government will seldom use the road but the indigenes of the state, surrounding states, border nations and other road users will enjoy the road.
Also responding, his Jigawa State counterpart, Mr Abubakar Badaru, invited the Minister to help commission 8 of the 10 completed state infrastructures stating that Mr President had offered to commission two of the projects.
He invited the Minister to also inspect the 1,300km road projects completed by his administration as a way of boosting transportation of agricultural products in the state.
Mr Fashola concluded his 2-day tour by inspecting the on-going rehabilitation of 32.8km Hadeja-Nguru Road Phase 11 in Jigawa State by Messrs Mothercat Nig. Ltd. which is currently at 84.93% completion.
