The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, announced yesterday that the federal government will not tolerate substandard work in the ongoing Renewed Hope Estates being constructed under the Bola Tinubu administration across the country.
Dangiwa delivered this warning in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, during the groundbreaking ceremony for 250 housing units as part of the program. He urged developers to adhere to specified standards to deliver quality housing.
According to a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the ministry, Badamasi Haiba, Dangiwa emphasized the importance of contractors adhering to the approved terms and standards to benefit Nigerians.
The flag-off in Ebonyi State marked the first of eight states in the second phase of groundbreaking ceremonies for the program launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in February 2024. This phase covers six Southern states and two North-central states.
The initial phase began with the groundbreaking of 1,500 housing units in northern Nigeria, including 250-unit Renewed Hope Estates in Katsina, Yobe, Gombe, and Sokoto, and a 500-unit Renewed Hope City in Kano.
“Work is currently ongoing at each of these sites, and our plan is to have them all completed within the next couple of months and made available to Nigerians in line with Mr. President’s desire to provide quality housing for all Nigerians,” Dangiwa stated.
The project in Ebonyi is being developed by Jephthah Global Investments Ltd, Proportion Construction Works Nigeria Limited, Ideal Shelters Limited, and KLYN Construction Works Ltd. It will include 50 one-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, 150 two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, and 50 three-bedroom semi-detached bungalows.
“We have designed these housing units in a way that makes it easy and affordable for people to acquire by using organic designs to allow for future expansion as the income of beneficiaries increases. One-bedroom units can be expanded to two bedrooms, and two-bedroom units can be expanded to three bedrooms as the owner’s financial situation improves or their family grows,” Dangiwa explained.
READ ALSO: 8,925 Nigerians Apply for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Housing Scheme
The minister urged developers to complete the project within the stipulated three-month timeframe and highlighted the economic benefits of housing construction.
“Statistics show that the construction of one housing unit creates an average of 25 direct and indirect jobs. For these 250 housing units in Ebonyi, we aim to create jobs for over 6,500 people in various trades, from professionals like architects and engineers to masons, plumbers, tilers, and electricians. This is besides the economic activities involving food vendors, block suppliers, and building materials providers. The value chain effect of construction work on this site is significant and creates a positive economic impact,” he said.
Representing the Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, Deputy Governor Patricia Obila described the project as a remarkable federal government initiative to provide affordable housing for Nigerians.
