Mr Chiambe Felix, the Controller, Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing in Jigawa, on Friday, said that no fewer than 500 people had been employed through the Federal Integrated Housing Scheme (FISH) in the state.
Chiambe, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse, said that 15 contractors were currently handling the project in the state.
‘’No fewer than 500 people, including professionals, labourers and artisans have been gainfully employed through this programme.
“Also, local food vendors, sachet water and soft drink sellers as well as barbers, clothes and hats sellers, commercial motorcyclists and even photographers, are making money out of this project.
“People from the Niger Republic are being employed by some contractors, as security men while cart bull operators are not left behind.
‘’They are sometimes being engaged to transport sharp sands and other goods to the site due to the sandy nature of the environment.
‘’This is because some of the available vehicles cannot pass through such sandy areas.
“So there has been a cash flow, I mean money is changing hands among all categories of people and everyone is happy about it,” Chiambe said.
He added that the project is seriously stimulating the micro-economy of the people of Dutse, where the project is being undertaken.
“There have been serious activities going on in the economy of the area, as almost every facet of life is being touched.
“Block and cement dealers are also making brisk business; in fact, even fruit sellers are not left behind,” he added.
According to him, more people will be employed when the Federal Government begins similar project across the 774 Local Government Areas of the country.
NAN reports that the Federal Government is currently constructing 48 units of two bedroom semi-detached bungalows and 24 units of three bedroom semi-detached bungalows in Dutse.
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