The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola on Monday declared that the Federal Government’s National Social Housing Programme,(NSHP) has created 54,720 jobs.
The Minister gave the hint in his keynote address, at the opening ceremony of the ongoing 15th edition of the Abuja International Housing Show with the theme: Sustainable and Resilient Housing Solutions for a Post Pandemic World.
According to Fashola, the national housing programme which started in 2016 has been able to generate 13,680 and 41,040 direct and indirect jobs.
Fashola, who was represented at the occasion by the Minister of State in the ministry, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, also added that a total of 1,021 Building Contractors have been engaged under Phases 1and Il of the Programme while 2,249 units have been completed in 34 States and FCT.
“A total of 1,021 Building Contractors have been engaged under Phases | and Il of the Programme since the inception in 2016 and 13,680 and 41,040 direct and indirect jobs have been generated. During this period, the Ministry has undertaken the construction of 4,694 housing units, out of which 2,249 units have been completed in 34 States and FCT with a total of 41 sites spread over the 34 States and FCT” he said.
Fashola stated that his ministry is promoting local content in line with Executive Orders 3 and 5, adding that the use of available local building materials in the NHP has stimulated the nation’s economy.
According to him, the overall economic value chain arising from the housing construction activities is mostly beneficial to the Nigerian youths who are directly involved in the physical production of the houses.
Also, Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to Government of the Federation, (SGF) while commending the organizers of the Show, noted that Federal Government has taken a collaborative approach to address the nation’s challenges by establishing the N200 billion housing intervention in the form of the NSHP as part of the recently approved National Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP).
Represented by Mr Anthony Obioha, the SGF, said the programme has an implementation plan to deliver over 300,000 houses for those on a low income, and address the issues with housing affordability on an annual basis.
According to Mustapha, the programme is also intended to create about 1.8 million jobs while making an impact on housing growth and provision.
“It has an implementation plan to deliver over 300, 000 houses for those on a low income, address the issues with housing affordability on an annual basis with the intent of creating about 1.8 million jobs, while making an impact on housing growth and provision” he added.
Barrister Festus Adebayo, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the annual Abuja International Housing Show, noted that this year’s event has a lot in store for stakeholders in the housing and construction sector.
He noted that the 15th edition was designed to include a youth housing design competition which is the first of its kind since the inception of the programme.
Adebayo noted that this year’s conference will also focus on addressing the matter of housing data for effective planning and delivery”
“Also, part of the issues to be addressed at this year’s conference will be the matter of housing data for effective planning and delivery” he added
Source: Independent Ng
