FG plans 100,000 units annual housing for low income earners

The Federal Government (FG) on Wednesday, unfolded plans to kick-start an annual 100,000 affordable homes for low income earners in the country.

It said this is part of the social housing scheme, which is completely different from the National Housing Programme(NHP) initiated by the current administration.

Minister of State for Power Works and Housing II, Surv Hassan Zarma disclosed this during an inspection of Lafia, National Housing Programme (NHP) among other Power and road projects.

According to him,the houses will be at the sum of N2 million and N5million for one-bedroom and Three-bedroom flats respectively.

As a result, he said low income earners such as artisans, commercial vehicle operators among others would have access to the proposed affordable houses.

He stressed that the housing project initiated by Office of the Vice President will be supported by the Federal Ministry of Finance but entirely different from the current NHP being executed in the 34 states across the Federation.

The  Minister, who is also the Chairman, Presidential Initiative on Family Housing Scheme emphasised on a commitment of the current administration to end housing deficits.

His words: “The 100, 000 houses is family home fund that is purely social housing programme. The cost will not be as high as this, it will be much more lower.

“We are thinking of a One-bedroom that will cost N2 million and a Three-bedroom that will cost maximum amount of N5 million.”

The Minister added that, “It will be as simple as possible, as simple as it can be affordable and as simple as it can adapt to our cultural backgrounds.

He applauded progress of work at the Lafia NHP stressing that it will be beneficial to the people.

Earlier, at his visit to the Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, he said the 22.5MVA Capacitor Bank in Keffi will increase power in the state while the Loko road and Loko bridge of N51 billion are expected to boost social economic well being of the people and state.

He noted that the usual movement of people and goods through Jos to the South East will cease and it will be from Nasarawa into Taraba State.

He pleaded for more lands for second phase for the NHP, stressing that the state will largely benefit from the scheme.

“As chairman of the Family Homes Fund, directly under the Ministry of Finance, we are appealing for more lands for the project which will benefit your people and Nigerians at large.” He stated.

Al-Makura, who was represented by his Deputy, Silas Agara, in his remarks commended the Federal Government for infrastructure projects in the state.

He described them as an attestation to President Muhammadu Buhari commitment to delivering on his campaign promises.

He said about 13.8 hectares was donated to the Federal Housing Project and restated his commitment to providing additional land for the second phase of the project.

He noted that over N65 million was paid to communities as compensation for the lands donated to the federal government.