By Chris Ochayi

Abuja Former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Nduese Essien has said that the Ministry could not meet its mandate of lands and housing delivery to the citizenry because of bureaucratic bottleneck which prevented the ministry from accessing the lands acquired by the Federal Government in the various states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. Mr Essien who made the revelation while handing over the Ministry to the Permanent Secretary in Abuja, regretted that, land is held by state Governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to the detriment of the housing ministry.

Hillview estate, Abuja developed by UPDC

“Let me use this opportunity to inform Nigerians that the Ministry could not deliver land and houses as expected in the first 12 months of the Ministry’s existence. We could not give what we did not have. Land is held by state Governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The Federal Government acquires land from the states and the FCT.

“The 2010 budget did not make any provision for land acquisition or housing development as the case may be. The compensation for lands supposedly acquired by the Federal Government since 1970’s had not been paid for by successive governments.”

Determined to resolve the issue, the former Minister stated that adequate provisions were made in the 2011 budget to address the anomaly, noting that if fully implemented, it will bring the desired boost to the housing sector.

According to Essien, “while housing delivery is one of the core mandates of the Ministry, this was however not provided for under the 2010 budget and so very little was achieved in 2010.

The Ministry had contemplated constructing 500 houses in each senatorial district of the country based on an existing policy. The projects were supposed to be carried out through direct construction and through Public Private Partnerships.

It was however found out that compensation was not paid in some lands supposedly acquired by the government for the purpose. As a result of this, some of the lands were either encroached upon by host communities or out-rightly taken over by the States.”

The Ministry, according to the former Minister, used part of the funds provided in the 2010 budget to settle claims in a few locations while a total of N810, 212, 408.00 only, has been provided for in the 2011 budget to settle all outstanding claims and compensation on Federal Government acquired lands all over the country. Currently, a lot of proposals have been received from investors willing to do business in the nation’s housing sector.

“We have established a National Housing Data Bank that provides information on house types, house characteristics, occupancy ratio, building materials used, etc.

As a prelude to the preparation of the National Physical Development Plan (NPDP), the Ministry has prepared Strategic Regional Development Plans for the six (6) geo-political zones of the country.

“These plans are aimed at integrating physical development with economic development thus providing spatial guide for investments and the attainment of balanced socio-economic advancement of the nation. The Strategic Regional Development Plans essentially contain information on human and natural resources and development potentials of the six (6) geo-political zones.

Technical consultations/sensitization workshops as well as study tours of Malaysia and Malawi have been concluded. There is however, an urgent need to engaged relevant consultants to develop the Plan,” he said.

“As part of measures to solve the problem of office accommodation, the Ministry embarked on the completion of the construction of the Finance and Account Building at Mabushi. The complex which is ready for furnishing and inauguration, will serve as the Ministry’s Headquarter

“Under the Prototype Housing Scheme, the Ministry in collaboration with the Head of Civil Service of the Federation is embarking on a Public Servants’ Housing scheme, at Gwagwalada, Abuja.

All drawings/bills of quantities for the various building types have been completed, the sites have been cleared and contracts for the construction of 240 units and associated infrastructures have been awarded,” he said.

The Minstry, according to Mr Essien also awarded contract for the rehabilitation of the ancillary buildings, water reticulation/treatment plant and supply and installation of 500KVA generating set at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Mausoleum at Ontisha, Anambra State. The job is almost completed while the main Mausoleum is being repackaged for award under the 2011 budget.