By Chris Ochayi & Caleb Ayansina

ABUJA — The Malaysian Government has promised a transfer of technology into the country with a view to facilitating the space and the completion of her ongoing $600 million housing estate project in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dengan Ingatan Julus Ikhlas Daripda who disclosed this during his visit to the project site of Malaysian Gardens Housing Estate situated at Saraji District of FCT, said the housing project will improve the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Malaysia.

Mr. Daripda who expressed satisfactions with the quality of products been used in the construction of the houses, said the estate will be one of the best in Africa.

Said he: “I am really impressed with what I saw on ground. We are going to help you with our technology to facilitate the space and the completion of the project. This project will not only bring our investors but also improve the bilateral relations that have been built over the years between Nigeria and Malaysia,” he said.

Malaysian Garden Housing Estate was conceived in 2004 under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, following his determination to woo foreign investors into the country.

The idea wasto develop a residential housing complex using mostly foreign materials, management and technology and where possible, incorporating indigenous Nigeria products and materials.

The negotiation was concluded between the Malaysian Government through Global Formwork (Nig.) Ltd. and the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory, then headed by Mallam Nasir el-Rufai. The Malaysians were accordingly 510square hectares parcel of land in the FCT.

A total of 14,045 housing units which will cater for various income earners in the country will be built in the estate The housing types were designed by international architects with collaborative effort of Nigerian professionals.