RENEWED HOPE HOUSING

… GOVERNOR UMAR BAGO OF NIGER STATE HANDS OVER CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY TO FHA.

The Governor of Niger State, His Excellency Mohammed Umar Bago, Tuesday 11^th February 2025 handed over the Certificate of Occupancy of the 31 hectares of land the State Government gave to Federal Housing Authority for the Renewed Hope Housing programme in the state.

In a brief ceremony in the Niger State Government House attended by The Secretary to State Government, the Chief of Staff to the Governor and other members of the state Executive Council, the governor expressed his happiness at collaborating with Federal Housing Authority in providing houses for the people of Niger State.

The State Chief Executive made it known that provision of houses for the people of the state is one of the top priorities of his government.

In his words, “Before you came in, we have been planning to develop about 3000 housing units. Niger State has the land and we are very ambitious to resettle all those in IDP camps. That is why we have engaged many development partners”

The Governor charged FHA to deliver the project and declared that the State Government would off take 100% of all the buildings FHA will construct. He noted that his government already has set aside a sinking fund for that purpose to help the civil servants in the state.

Governor Bago who said the land given to the Authority is a prime place within the New Mina City, advocated for the incorporation of Site and Services. He noted that the state government would give every support it could to help extend some amenities to the project.

Earlier on in his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo was full of gratitude to the government of Niger State, under the leadership of His Excellency Umar Bago. The MD noted that when the management of Federal Housing Authority visited the governor in March, 2024 seeking for land, His Excellency not only graciously granted the Authority the land, but reminiscent of the performing governor he is, who has the interest of his people at heart, he also offered to assist the FHA to make the project a success by offering the land free of charges and also pay the compensation.

Hon Ojo therefore described it as amazing to be invited back to collect the Certificate of occupancy of the land. The FHA bos said the Authority has not come to collect the C of O and keep, but that all arrangements are being made to get to site in the next couple of months.

The MD reiterated his earlier position that FHA must work with the government from the conceptualization to construction because the State Government is in a better position to know what the people want. He also stated that the governor’s gesture and assistance which has greatly reduced the cost the Authority would have incurred, would be reciprocated in reduction of the disposal prices.

He also disclosed that about 60% of indigenes would be considered during the procurement process. This he said is to ensure sense of ownership and accountability in the indigenous contractors.

The Governor afterwards went on a tour of the 3 Arms Zone of the state in the New Mina city where the land allocated to the Authority situates.