Housing deficit: Niger State govt targets 100,000 mass housing units

Niger State Governor, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, has announced plans to launch a mass housing project aimed at providing adequate accommodation for workers and interested citizens.

Farmer Bago disclosed this when he received the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Director, Ministry of Finance Incorporated MOFI at the Niger State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja.

The Farmer Governor who explained that the State Government has a 30-year development plan with focus on both agriculture and housing scheme, expressed optimism that the new layouts will be created to bridge the housing gap among citizens.

He said the need to construct more houses is imperative in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu stating that, his administration remains poised to create 100 farm estates with 100,000 houses to be built.

Farmer Umaru Bago said, the State Government and Federal Ministry of Finance Incorporated will figure out ways to make use of the 75 percent coverage Niger State has within Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to him, no fewer than 64,000 plots of land have so far been identified for development in that regard.

He also hinted that the State Government is working with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other Development Partners to find a way to open new settlements and close all IDP Camps.

In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Dr. Armstrong Takang described Farmer Governor as an exemplary leader who is doing remarkably well in marketing his State.

He expressed optimism that the existing partnership between Niger State and MOFI which serves as the Investment and Asset Managers of the Federal Government will yield positive results.

He said the Institution will explore opportunities in Niger State as it aims to discuss ways forward on abounding Investment opportunities in the Agric space, including support for small holder farmers while also looking on housing which is part of the mandate given to it by the Federal Government to provide mortgages to Nigerians at low cost, of up to 20 years for Nigerians to have decent houses to live in.

Also speaking, MOFI Executive Director, Mr. Sani Yakubu said the renewed energy of the present administration will enable housing to be scaled higher, adding that the MOFI’s real estate fund also seeks to address challenges of unaffordable houses.

In his presentation, Chairman, Niger Foods, Sammy Adigun observed that the collaboration with MOFI is to work on the President’s proposal of producing 2 million tons of food for the Federal Government.

He asaured that the partnership with MOFI will be a landmark achievement as it will enable Niger State contribute to the food sovereignty of the Nation.