KADUNA- The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) says it will launch the construction of its ‘Renewed Hope Housing’ with a groundbreaking ceremony in Kaduna State in August 2024.
The Managing Director of FHA, Mr Oyetunde Ojo, announced this during a three-day retreat for its staff held in Kaduna.
The retreat, themed “Enhancing the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) for Improved Housing Solutions in the Era of Renewed Hope”, highlighted the authority’s new direction and objectives.
Ojo expressed gratitude to Gov. Uba Sani for providing 157 hectares of land free of charge, a gesture that has garnered goodwill towards the authority.
He said that since their appointment by President Bola Tinubu, the management has been working to reposition FHA to its full potential.
Ojo said, ”A key observation was that FHA’s operations were previously limited to Abuja and Lagos, a situation we aim to change under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
”The initiative seeks to extend FHA’s presence nationwide, regardless of political, religious, or ethnic differences.”’
Ojo emphasised the need for reorientation among the staff to align with the new goals and work ethics required by the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda.
He said, ”The retreat is aimed at brainstorming and finding possible solutions to the housing deficit and associated challenges.
”It is also intended to motivate the staff, as the FHA has not held such a retreat in the past 30 years.”
Ojo emphasized the importance of having a framework for any undertaking, identifying funding as one of the primary challenges.
He said that the organisation relied heavily on internally generated revenue (IGR), which has increased compared to the past.
“With adequate funds, we can develop effectively. Ensuring staff welfare is crucial, as working in hazardous conditions without proper compensation leads to low productivity,” Ojo said.
He announced that the FHA would soon inaugurate two projects in December; a 375-unit project in Bwari and a PPP-arranged project in Apo Gusape, both located in Abuja, with nearly 1,000 housing units.
According to him ,next month the FHA will commence projects in various geopolitical zones.
Ojo commended the authority’s Executive Directors for their sacrifices and capital expenditure efforts to ensure project delivery.
He added that by September and October, the FHA would roll out more projects in phases.
Ojo said, “There’s no point in starting a 500-unit project if you can’t complete it.
”It’s better to complete phases of 50 or 100 units first, allowing people to move in before starting the next phase.
“This strategy ensures progress. If we can complete 100 units in each state in phase one, we will have built 3,600 units across 36 states by the end of the year, significantly addressing the housing problem.”
According to the managing director, FHA is now very strategic in its approach and it will never compromise.
Sani, the Special Guest of Honor at the retreat, reiterated the importance of addressing housing deficits to restore collective dignity.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, the governor commended Tinubu for selecting a capable team to lead the housing sector.
He highlighted the need for strategic collaborations between federal and state governments to tackle the housing challenges effectively.
Sani said that the retreat aimed to explore housing development initiatives, emerging technologies, and practical solutions to Nigeria’s housing issues.
Sani emphasised that providing affordable housing was a priority for his administration, aligning with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
”The FHA’s renewed focus includes partnerships with local and international investors, social housing schemes, development lease agreements, public housing corporations, site and services initiatives.
”This collaborative approach is seen as crucial for addressing developmental challenges in the housing sector, ” Sani said. (NAN)