The Managing Director and Chief Executive, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, has affirmed that the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) is now ready to commence the construction of the Renewed Hope Housing Estates across the country.

This assertion was made on Tuesday, 21st April 2024, during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Renewed Hope Housing Estate in Umuahia, Abia State.

According to Hon. Ojo, “This event is our way of cementing our commitment to realizing the construction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s initiated Renewed Hope Housing Programme in all the states of Nigeria.”

The FHA boss said that management’s decision to kick-start the programme in the South-East, beginning from Abia State, was very deliberate because of the encouragement, assurance, and enthusiasm the people of Abia have shown towards achieving the project.

The MD described the state governor, Dr. Alex Otti, as a natural leader who is deeply interested in the welfare of his people.

Hon. Ojo recalled that upon assumption of duty, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu charged his management to provide livable and affordable houses to Nigerians under the Renewed Hope Housing Initiative. He said the mandate was very clear, unambiguous, and apolitical, irrespective of party affiliation.

This clear charge, he said, took the management to 28 states of the country in search of land, and on the 9th of May 2024, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, received his delegation and magnanimously provided the Authority with 100 hectares of land.

The MD noted that since acquiring land from state governments, the Authority has been working tirelessly to bring the project to fruition, having received tenders and carried out groundbreaking ceremonies in both Akwa Ibom and Kaduna States.

According to him, management had to double-check before commencing the project to ensure that there would be no interruptions once work begins.

In his words, “Situational contingencies have made us double-check before starting the project so that we will not encounter any major challenges that could stall the work once we start, in keeping with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s charge that the days of abandoned projects are over.”

Hon. Ojo promised the people of Abia State that FHA would not fail them. He said that the Authority’s mandate is hinged on the mantra of Renewed Hope, which is embedded not only in the provision of affordable and livable houses to Nigerians, but also in the provision of facilities that would make life easier for allottees and residents of FHA estates.

To this effect, he promised the governor that FHA would not only develop the land but would also create an environment that is the trademark and signature for which the Federal Housing Authority is known.

He called on the host community to give the Authority maximum cooperation to enable it achieve the project.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Groundbreaking Committee and Executive Director of Estate Services, Arc. Ezekiel Nya Etok, in his address, thanked Governor Otti for his hardworking disposition and love for the welfare of his people.

He congratulated the governor for being the one to bring the Federal Housing Authority into Abia State, reiterating the Authority’s commitment to delivering the project.

The General Manager, Partnership, Arc. Peter Okpanachi, while giving an overview of the project, said the Authority is set to construct about 1,200 units of various housing types that would cater to all strata of society.

He said the house types would range from bungalows, blocks of flats, terraces, and detached duplexes.

Speaking further, he noted that the Authority would adopt various delivery models such as Direct Construction, Partnerships, and Site and Services.

In his remarks, the Abia State Governor, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, thanked the MD and his team for their continued interest in partnering with Abia State.

He described Hon. Ojo as honest, upright, and hardworking.

Governor Otti admonished Nigerians to eschew politics and religion when pursuing development and welfare, describing them as distractions.

The governor stated that his passion to deliver the project made him ensure that all the required compensation on the land was paid. He said all the families that donated the land have been compensated.

He urged the few who are yet to receive theirs to clear whatever issues they may have, since their money is already in the bank, noting that his government ensures that compensation is settled before groundbreaking.