•As FCT Minister flags off development of 40,000 houses in Abuja

By Henry Umoru

HOMELESS Nigerian workers in the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Abuja may soon have a cause to smile. The reason is because the multi-billion Naira housing scheme being championed by the workers unions, will soon become a reality.

Last week, the Minister in charge of FCT Administration, Senator Bala Mohammed formally flagged off the construction of the 40,000 housing unit-Estate for the workers in Abuja.

The scheme which would be in partnership with the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress TUC and some private developers, has the capacity of alleviating the suffering encountered by workers in the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony, Senator Mohammed explained that President Goodluck Jonathan personally gave the FCT Administration a matching order to initiate a viable housing scheme that would cater for the needs of the Nigerian worker whom he described as the engine of the country’s economy. He noted that the  project will contribute greatly to the reduction of the housing deficit in Nigeria particularly, in the FCT.

The Minister explained that the project has been designed in a manner that would ensure affordability by the workers through the provision of wavers on premium for the plots by the FCT Administration.

According to him, the gigantic sites will also provide avenue for over 7,000 skilled and unskilled job opportunities to Nigerians.

The workers housing projects are located on 329.93 hectares of land in parts of Lugbe District and 298.59 hectares in Apo Taphi District of the Federal Capital City.

Senator Mohammed further disclosed that “the financing of the infrastructure aspect of the project would be driven under the SURE-P Progaramme of the Federal Government”.

President of the Nigerian Labour Congress NLC, Comrade Abdul-Waheed Omar lauded the Minister for his foresight and commitment to the workers welfare. He described the project as historic, adding that no government has ever initiated a viable and sustainable housing project such as this for the Nigerian workers. The NLC boss urged workers in the country to take advantage of the scheme to own a house.

The TUC Secretary General, Mr. Musa Lawal, a lawyer, who represented the President,  Comrade Babboi Kaigama also commended the FCT Minister and the Administration for providing land in strategic areas for the actualization of the scheme.

Meanwhile, an agreement was signed between the FCT Administration and Good Homes Development Company Limited at the occasion for development of the houses.