Yinka Kolawole

The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a private developer to construct three million housing units for civil servants across the country within the next four years.

The Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Nduese Essien, who signed on behalf of the government, said that the collaboration with the private developer – Orient Properties Development Company Limited, is part of Federal Government’s efforts to address the huge housing deficit in the country. He noted that the first phase of the project would commence with the delivery of 500,000 units.

“The ministry is considering various options towards addressing the staggering housing deficit in the country. Our team of experts were challenged to work out a quick_win measure, medium and long_term intervention mechanisms towards providing solutions to the housing crisis. As we considered various options with the mandate of reducing the country‘s huge housing stock deficit, we had sought new strategies to enhance housing delivery. One of the strategies is partnership with the organised private sector,” he said.

Meanwhile, a cross-section of workers have commended the initiative of the federal government to provide three million housing units for workers nationwide in the next four years.

The workers who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said it would go a long way in addressing the housing needs of civil servants.
A civil servant, Mr John Onome, said a lot of civil servants had no houses of their own, adding that the project was a laudable one, urging government to ensure that the houses were given to civil servants when completed. “People are really suffering because of the huge house rent that they have to pay their landlords, but if I have a house of my own.”

Another civil servant, Mr Tope Ajawo, also commended the government, saying I am very happy that the Federal Government has decided to look into the issue of housing deficit in the country. “This is a huge project and I believe that if it is taken seriously, there is hope for the common man.”

Mrs Laraba Amos, a director in one of the ministries, applauded the idea saying, “I will like to advice government not to bring in the Nigerian factor when it comes allocation these houses when they are ready.