

Fashola Hands Over Ministry to DOOPS. Engr. Esan ...... launches 10-year National Housing Strategy Blueprint ...... signs Value-Added Concession under HDMI The outgoing Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola and the Minister of State, Hon. Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub, has handed over the mantle of leadership of the Ministry to the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Folorunsho Esan. The event took place at the conference room of the Ministry's headquarters, Mabushi, Abuja, Friday, May 27, 2023. Fashola stated that the eight years of the Buhari's Administration did its best in making sure that the promises made to the citizens are kept, saying that though some may not like them, but they will like the work they did “There is an argument going on out there. I think it is a conversation we must have because some people don’t like the party in government but they will like the work we do" he Said. He expressed gratitude to the contractors whom he said stood in the gap and encouraged them to continue doing the best for the nation. The Minister of State, Hon. Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub expressed his appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for giving him the opportunity to serve in his cabinet. El-Yakub thanked the Minister and other Management staff for their kind gesture and team work which has helped him in carrying out his functions. In her good will message, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi Esan congratulated the Ministers for their successes and thanked them for their support and encouragement to the Civil Service programmes and activities. In his response the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Folorunsho Esan, thanked the Ministers for their purposeful guidance and high level of cooperation, pledging to continue to move with their vision, concept and dedication to duties. Meanwhile, before the handover, ceremony, a Ten- year Blueprint for the National Housing Strategy Plan (NHS) was launched by the Minister. Fashola said government alone cannot provide the totality of housing needs for Nigerians, hence the need to create an enabling environment for the private sectors to thrive According to the Minister, the ten-year strategic blueprint has been designed to harmonize all extant housing initiatives by various stakeholders into a single National Housing Strategy. He explained that despite the numerous housing programmes initiated by the current administration for affordable housing, it still did not provide more homes than private enterprises, stating that the private sector remains the real driver of housing solutions in the country “There is nothing the government does in the housing sector that can compete and provide more than what the private sector can do whether it is a state government building or the Federal Government, the real drivers at the end of the day are the capacity of private capital for providing more houses" he said Explaining further, he stated that the scope of land holding, are from the state governments that owns the bulk of land, the Federal Government doesn’t have as much land as the collective land holding that is in the hands of the private sector. Accordingly. the Minister reiterated the need for reliable data on housing deficit that can put one on track, assuring that the scheduled population census will reveal the real size of housing problems in the country. Earlier, the Director Overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Esan stated that, the Blueprint is an outcome of the collaborative effort among the Office of the Vice President of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, PricewaterhouseCoopers and FMDQ Holding PLC. He explained that the project working group had worked tirelessly to produce the strategic compendium being launched today which is an announcement of the completion of Nigeria’s 10-year National Housing Strategy Blueprint and the commitment to the execution of the initiative therein. In his response, the Senior Vice President, FMDQ Group PLC, Mr. Emmanuel Etaderhi acknowledged the support and commitment of the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and the Minister, Babatunde Fashola for his guidance along every stage of the drafting of the strategy, while commending the members of PricewaterhouseCoopers team for their work, research and dedication. In another development, the signing of the Value-Added Concession under Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) has been performed by the Minister. During the signing ceremony, Fashola noted that it is another demonstration of the Ministry’s innovative commitment to fixing the Nations’ Federal Road network through a multi-pronged approach. He said the Highways development Initiative (HDMI) was created to develop and manage the Federal Road Network with the objective to attract sustainable investment and funding in the development of road infrastructure across the Nation. The Managing Director of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Micheal Ohiani, in his address, stated that the primary objective of (HDMI) pilot scheme is to leverage private sector investment to improve facilities and operations on selected routes; infrastructure development by applying a commercial approach that bridges the funding gaps in annual capital budget expenditure, thereby reducing the dependency on budgetary allocations On his part, Director Overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Folorunsho Esan, stated that as the ministry attains its commercial height, it is the expectation that in no distant time, and in line with the agreed timelines, the financial close time will be reached to enable the execution of the project accordingly. The six successful concessionaires for the execution of the concession contract include: African Plus Partner Nigeria Limited Consortium (Benin Asaba Express Way and Lagos Otta Abeokuta Road); Avia Infrastructure Services Ltd Consortium (Abuja – Lokoja Road); Enyimba Economic City Development Company Consortium (Onitsha Owerri Road and Enugu Port Harcourt Highway); Africa Finance Corporation Consortium (Shagamu Benin Road and Lagos-Badagry -Seme Border Road); Dafac Consortium (Kano -Shuari Road);, and China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) for (Keffi-Akwanga-lafia-makurdi Road) respectively.
The Minister thanked the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi Esan who was present at the ceremony, the Directors, Heads of Parastatals, Heads of Units of the Ministry and all staff in attendance.
The NHS Strategy document is a project in collaboration with Messes FMDQ Holding Plc, which will unleash the power of private capital in the sector.
“I am launching this document with mixed feelings and I say that because, as an initiative of the private sector, the document is an alternative solution to the housing problem. One of the data that will be collected will be; who lives in a rented house; who owns his house; those who have other houses, and what type of house people live in. So, let’s hold our breath; and when the figure comes, it will be very reliable upon which we can see the real size of the problem.” He added
For The Records - Re: Allegation on “N130BN 2022 SUKUK Fund, Road Contractors Petition EFCC Over Non-Payment of Approved Funds Allocated to Them by Ministry of Works Staff” The attention of the Federal Ministry of Works & Housing has been drawn to the above allegation carried by Opera News an online publication which was sourced from The Street Journal of May, 16th 2023 wrongly accusing staff of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing of refusing to disburse funds allocated for projects in the 2022 Sukuk Fund to Contracts. The writer further states that the funds have been placed into accounts to generate interest “for the sole purpose of creaming off accrued interest…. 2. This is a blatant misrepresentation of facts and a calculated attempt to smear the name of the Ministry. It is pertinent to mention that the Ministry adopted the Sukuk model of project financing since 2017 and at no time has the funds for payment for any project been domiciled in the Ministry. SUKUK Funds are domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and are only released to the Ministry for payment after the necessary processes and approvals are obtained. According to the operational guidelines for Sukuk projects, payments are made to contractors within twenty-four hours of the funds hitting the accounts of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. It is therefore, unfounded to imagine that any portion of the 2022 SUKUK Fund is warehoused in any bank with the expectation of yielding interest for any pecuniary benefits to officials of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. 3. You may wish to note that the Debt Management Office (DMO) approved the 2022 Sovereign SUKUK Funding of N110.00 billion for execution of sixty-three (63No.) projects across the country. The symbolic presentation to the Ministry of the cheque of N110.00 billion was performed on 6th February, 2023 in the Main Auditorium of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja. 4. Prior to the presentation of the 2022 SUKUK cheque, the Ministry was executing the 2021 SUKUK Funding in the sum of N210.565 billion for the construction of seventy-one (71No.) projects in the Federal Ministry of Works & Housing and N10.435 billion for execution of five (5No.) highway projects by the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs which were transferred to the Works and Housing Ministry. The disbursement for payment of executed works in the 2021 SUKUK Funding in the total sum of N220.00 billion was completed in April, 2023. It is important to note that the disbursement of the 2022 Sukuk could not be run concurrently with that of the 2021 Sukuk as a matter of principle. 5. Upon completion of the payments from the 2021 SUKUK Funding, the Ministry commenced the collation and submission of Milestones to be achieved by Contractors under the 2022 Funding. The provision of Milestones by the Contractors, evaluation and approval by the Ministry and final no objection by the DMO is a necessary condition for the disbursement of Sukuk Funds. These processes take time and must be completed before any disbursement can be carried out. 6. On completion of this process early May 2023 and in line with the commitment of the Ministry for payment of works executed according to the approved Milestones, the first (1st) Tranche Drawdown from the 2022 in the sum of N19.605 billion was forwarded to DMO. This will undergo a process of verification by consultants engaged by the Debt Management Office before payments can be approved and the CBN, through the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, requested to release the funds for payment to the contractors. Subsequent Tranches would be forwarded to the DMO as the Contractors execute works in line with the approved Milestones and the works are verified, certified approved accordingly until the N130bn is fully accessed. 7. It is important to advise the general public to always cross-check their facts before going to the media in order to avoid unsubstantiated allegations and avoidable waste of tax-payers money for energies that should be channeled into more productive ventures. ENGR. FOLORUNSO ESAN DIRECTOR, OVERSEEING THE OFFICE OF THE PERMANENT SECRETARY. FMWH* ...
President Buhari Commissions Seven Legacy Projects Under Works and Housing Sector. ...the Second Niger, Ikom and Loko-Oweto bridges; Kaduna-Kano Road section and Federal Secretariat Projects commissioned President Muhammadu Buhari has today virtually commissioned seven laudable legacy projects under the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing across some states of the federation. These projects are: the Second Niger bridge linking Asaba and Onitsha in Delta and Anambra states, Ikom bridge in Cross River state and Loko-Oweto bridge linking Nasarawa and Benue states. Other projects include: Kaduna-Kano Road section dual carriageway and Federal Secretariat building complex in Anambra, Bayelsa and Zamfara states. Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, has been the Minister superintending over the Works and Housing sector under the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari since inception in 2015. The Presidential commissioning was conducted virtually and simultaneously across the seven project locations in the respective states. President Buhari described the projects as symbols of his administration's efforts and commitment to renew the Nigerian stock of Infrastructure, pointing out that it was a deliberate choice and not an accident. Which today has greatly enhanced the Nigerian GDP from 20% to 40% there by delivering on the prosperity of citizenry. The President further explained that government's debts were tied to Infrastructure, pointing out the assets and investments of the government is in place. Accordingly, President Buhari stated that the projects were an example of the change promise of his administration as well as a practical effort to confront the multi-dimensional poverty instead of lamentation. Earlier, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola stated that the projects these projects have massively impacted on Nigerians of various geo-political zones, saying that with these projects, President Buhari had met people at their door steps even when they never saw him in person. Accordingly, Fashola explained that the economic activities that took place during the construction work had resulted in pushing back the multi- dimensional poverty from the society. He listed the benefits to include; job creation for the people; reduced travel time with additional comfort during travels, business efficiency and value appreciation of properties. Fashola commended the cooperation and support of all the stakeholders, such as Ministers, State Governors, National Assembly Members, Contractors, Traditional and Community Leaders in the project locations for the success achieved in delivering the projects. Governors of Anambra and Imo states, Professor Charles Soludo and Hope Uzodinma respectively, the Governor of Delta State represented by the Chief of Staff, Rt Hon. Festus Ovie Agas as well as the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr (Sen.) Chris Ngige, who all delivered goodwill messages. They all expressed joy and commended President Buhari for delivering on the projects which they described as having huge economic impact on the Nation. The three Federal Secretariats were named after some dignitaries such as, Dr. Good luck Ebele Johnathan for Baylelsa, Ebele Okeke for Awka and Mallam Yahaya Gusau for Zamfara Federal Secretariat complex in Gusau. It was a very colourful and eventful legacy project commissioning ceremony across the Nation. ...
President Buhari Commissions National Housing Project in Gusau, Zamfara State President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned a 80 housing units in Damba, Gusau, Zamfara state, Monday, May 22nd, 2023. The President was represented at the occassion by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sa'adia Umar Faruk. He described the completion of the project as an example of the fulfilment of change which his administration promised the people of Nigeria. Buhari also explained that the desire to improve the human condition of the citizens was responsible for the decision to award the housing contracts to the Micro, Small and Medium size businesses, in order to promote a value chain of opportunities for economic activities, provide employment and improve the conditions of the ordinary citizen. Accordingly, the President stated that through the housing programme his administration has redeemed the promise made by previous administration to the members of the 1994 Super Eagles that won the African Cup of Nations that year. The Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Bello Matawalle who was represented by the Speaker, Zamfara State House of Assembly, Honourable Nasiru Muazu Magarya, expressed gratitude to President Buhari for initiating and executing the housing project in Zamfara state. In his address, the Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fashola, represented by the Director Construction, Department of Public Building and Housing Development, Architect Bashir Usman disclosed that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing had delivered similar projects in 35 states of the Federation with the support of state governors. The Minister said that 40 housing units comprising; 2 units of 1 bedroom; 24 units of 2 bedrooms and 14 units of 3 bedroom bungalows were being handed over today, pointing out that the houses were designed after a survey was conducted to ascertain the needs and type of houses Nigerians desired. Accordingly, he explained that the survey revealed that there was a prevalent need for bungalows in the Northern part and flats in the southern part of Nigeria. In his welcome address, the Director overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Folorunso Esan who was represented by the Zonal Director of North West, National Housing Programme, (NHP) Builder Emmanuel Hangerior said the NHP initiative since 1996 has engaged over 1,500 building contractors and over 150,00 and 55,000 direct and indirect jobs had been created respectively. In a goodwill message His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Bello OFR, the Emir of Gusau , thanked President Buhari for bringing the project to his domain ...
SHELTER AFRIQUE 42ND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, TRANSCORP HILTON HOTEL, ABUJA NIGERIA
Shelter Afrique Holds 42nd AGM In Abuja – Nigeria
The hosting of the 42nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Symposium Of Shelter Afrique (SHAF) is now confirmed to be holding in Abuja Nigeria from the 7th -12th of May ,2023.
Shelter Afrique (SHAF) is a company for Habitat and Housing, established in 1982 by African Governments, the African Development Bank (AFDB) and African Reinsurance Corporation (African–Re). This company is dedicated to providing funding solutions for affordable housing projects across Africa
Nigeria is a founding member of this company and holds position as the second largest shareholder after Kenya with investments totaling (USD) $30,724,961:00 and a shareholding of 15.80 %
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Shelter Afrique Constitutes the main policy organ of the company and it provides a forum for shareholders to collectively review and deliberate on the performance of the company once every year.
On the other hand, the Annual Symposium held during the AGM, is one of the key activities of Shelter Afrique, which is an avenue for collaboration and synthesizing emerging lessons, knowledge, best practices and innovations. Over the year the symposium has served to document and disseminate information to African Countries, stakeholders and key partners on the provision of affordable housing in Africa.
Nigeria, as at present is the first Vice –President of the 41st AGM Bureau recently held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe in July of 2022; making her to be in the pole position to become the Chairman of the 42nd AGM Bureau In this wise, the country is going to host the 42nd AGM Symposium in Abuja by May 2023.
Some of the key stakeholders expected at the meeting are:
a) Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN)
b) Mortgage Bankers Association of Nigeria (MBAN)
c) Family Homes Fund (FHF)
d) Nigeria Mortgage Reinsurance Company (NMRC)
e) Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN)
f) Federal Housing Authority (FHA)
g) Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
h) Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN)
i) Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP)
j) Federal and State Ministries and Agencies in charge of Housing, Urban Development, Finance and Economic Matters.
Other activities during this AGM are:
Ministerial Roundtable session with Ministers of Planning Economy and Business Development Investor Relations Session as side event.
It promises to be an impactful session.
Remarks By H.E Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At the Virtual Commissioning of Three Bridges, Three Secretariats and One Road on Tuesday 23rd May 2023
Mr. President, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen:
On behalf of the Honourable Minister of State, Ibrahim Umar El-Yakub, and other Ministers of States who have served with me, the Permanent Secretary and former Permanent Secretaries, Directors serving and retired and all the staff of the Ministry of Works and Housing, I am pleased to welcome you all to this momentous day.
A day where the Federal Government of Nigeria, working with the State Governors, Senators and House of Representative members, Traditional Rulers and with the people of Nigeria, unveils 3 (THREE) major bridges the Loko-Oweto, Second Niger and Ikom bridges, a completed Section of over 200 kilometres of Kano-Kaduna Highway and three new Federal Secretariats.
Today, Mr. President will connect Benue to Nasarawa on the Loko – Oweto Bridge, Cross River to Benue on Ikom Bridge and Anambra to Delta on the Second Niger Bridge, and literally connect many parts of Nigeria to themselves.
In the same vein, we link Kano to Kaduna on the Kaduna-Kano highway and impact Zamfara, Bayelsa and Anambra directly through the Secretariats.
This is a story of development and a story of people, all of which cannot be fully told here.
But I will try; starting from the President and the Commander-in-Chief whose leadership, support and opportunity afforded us to serve has made all these possible.
The story of the cabinet members from the Vice-President and my colleague ministers whose support for the various memoranda in Council made these projects possible.
Some of those memoranda you spent hours to debate and approve have yielded some fruit.
Our legislators in both chambers of Parliament were part of the story. They appropriated, they approved where necessary and oversighted all through the project; but they never obstructed.
The State Governors, their Commissioners and their Traditional Rulers are a story that must be told, about how Federal, State Government and Traditional Institutions can, and must work together to deliver development and prosperity.
The story of the men and women who worked on these construction sites is an unforgettable one.
Not only were these sites places of employment for them to earn a living to support their families; I saw in them men and women, boys and girls involved in the dignifying and patriotic work of nation building.
The story of the economic activity that took place at these sites is also most compelling.
Thousands of tonnes of construction materials, sand, cement, diesel, reinforcement, bitumen, aggregates were bought, sold and transported over the period.
This was a period of boom for small and family-owned businesses who supplied the contractors.
It is the clearest narrative about how infrastructure benefits the people and how this drives the services sector of the economy that employs the most people.
It is the story of how the Muhammadu Buhari policies meet the people at their point of need even if many of these people will never meet Muhammadu Buhari in person.
Another story to tell is that prosperity is already being delivered by these projects.
Travel time is reduced by more than 50% in many of the places we surveyed.
Property values of landowners have appreciated by up to 30% in the surveys conducted on land values where we have delivered infrastructure.
These are some of the attempts by Government to pushback against multi-dimensional poverty; because Loko-Oweto reduces travel time to Abuja by 4 (FOUR) hours and with the Second Niger Bridge it will take a few minutes, instead of hours to cross the River Niger, a crossing of approximately 1.5 Kilometres.
The Calabar port now has a story of improved patronage to tell, and efficient import and export business can only help in the push back against poverty.
With regards to the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, I want to tell the story of a successful working relationship with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) under the previous Managing Director, Uche Orji, and the present one, Aminu Umar-Sadiq and the management team.
They were worthy custodians and managers of the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund.
I cannot forget the story of my working relationship with your Excellency’s office through your Chiefs-of-Staff, the late Abba Kyari of blessed memory and the amiable Professor Ibrahim Gambari.
With their collaboration, the Attorney-General and the Minister of Finance, we delivered the Second Niger bridge, 200 kilometres out of the 365 kilometres of the Kano-Abuja highway and 114 kilometres of the 127 kilometres Lagos-Ibadan highway.
Mr. President it is now my pleasure to invite you Sir to dedicate and hand over the following projects for public use:
a. Zamfara Federal Secretariat, Gusau
b. Bayelsa Federal Secretariat, Yenagoa
c. Anambra Federal Secretariat, Awka
d. The Ikom Bridge, Cross River
e. Loko-Oweto Bridge (Nasarawa/Benue)
f. Muhammadu Buhari 2nd Niger Bridge (Anambra/Delta)
g. Two hundred kilometres of Kano-Kaduna dual carriageway.
FASHOLA, ZAINAB, GARWE, OTHERS AT THE 42ND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & SYMPOSIUM OF SHELTER AFRIQUE WITH THE THEME, "POLITICAL ECONOMY IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT," IN ABUJA
Representative of the President and Hon. Minister of Finance, Budget & National Planning, Mrs Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed (right) , Hon. Minister of Works & Housing and Chairman of the Board of Shelter Afrique, Mr Babatunde Fashola,SAN (2nd right), Outgoing AGM Chairman and Hon. Minister of National Housing & Social Amenities, Republic of Zimbabwe, Hon. Daniel Garwe (2nd left) and Hon.Minister of State, Works and Housing , Hon. Umar El - Yakub (left) during the Opening Programme of the 42nd Annual General Meeting and Symposium of Shelter Afrique with the theme," Political Economy in the Built Environment," jointly organized by the Federal Ministry of Works & Housing and Shelter Afrique at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja on Monday, 6th May 2023.
FASHOLA, EL - YAKUB, EZEILO, OTHERS AT THE OFFICIAL COMMISSIONING OF FMBN - I-CONNECT COOPERATIVE HOUSING ESTATE IN ENUGU, ENUGU STATE
Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN (3rd right),Hon.Minister of State, Works and Housing , Hon. Umar Ibrahim El - Yakub (2nd right), Deputy Governor and representative of the Governor of Enugu State, Mrs Lolo Cecelia Ezeilo(2nd left),Executive Director,Loans and Mortgage Services & representative of the MD of FMBN, Mr Lukman Mustapha and others shortly after the official commissioning of the FMBN - I - CONNECT Housing Estate built under the Cooperative Housing Development Loan (CHDL) Window of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) at the Winners Estate, Legacy Layout, Behind New GRA, Transekulu, Enugu, Enugu State on Tuesday, 16th May 2023.