… Reveals why project is starting from South East
Joel Ajayi
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Hon Oyetunde Ojo, has affirmed that FHA is now ready to commence the construction of the Renewed Hope Housing estates all over the country.
He stated this on Tuesday, during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Renewed Hope Housing estate in Umuahia, Abia state.
” The event is our way of cementing our commitment in realising the construction of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s initiated Renewed Hope Housing Programme in all the states of Nigeria,” he said.
The FHA boss said that the Management’s decision to kickstart the program in the south eastern part of the country from Abia state is very deliberate due to the encouragement, assurance and enthusiasm the people of Abia has shown towards achieving the project.
The MD described the state governor, Dr Alex Otti, as a natural leader who is so much interested in the welfare of his people.
Hon Ojo recalled that on assumption of duty, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu charged his management to provide livable and affordable houses to Nigerians under the Renewed Hope Housing initiative.
He said the mandate was very clear, unambiguous, apolitical and irrespective of party affiliation.
This clear charge he said took the management to 28 states of the country in search for land, and on the 9th of May 2024, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti received his delegation and magnanimously provided the Authority with 100 hectares of land.
The MD noted that the Authority since acquring lands from state governments have been working tirelessly to bring the project to fruition, having received tenders and carried out ground breaking ceremonies in both Akwa Ibom and Kaduna states.
According to him, management had to double check before commencing the project to ensure that there would be no stopping once it is commenced.
“Situational contingencies have made us to double check before starting the project, so that we will not encounter any major challenges that could stall the work once we start, in keeping with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s charge that days of abandoned projects are over,” he said.
Hon. Ojo promised the people of Abia state that FHA would not fail them. He said that the Authority’s mandate is hinged on the mantra of Renewed Hope, which is embedded not only on the provision of affordable and livable houses to Nigerians, but also in the provision of such facilities that would make life easy for allottees and residents of FHA estates.
To this effect, he promised the governor that FHA would not only develop the land, but would create an environment which is the trade mark and signature Federal Housing Authority is noted for.
He called on the host community to give the Authority maximum cooperation to enable it achieve the project.
Earlier on, the Chairman Groundbreaking Committee and Executive Director Estate Services, Arc. Ezekiel Nya Etok, in his address thanked Governor Otti for his hard working disposition and love for his people’s welfare.
He congratulated the governor for being the one to bring Federal Housing Authority into Abia state, reiterating the Authority’s commitment to deliver the project.
The General Manager Partnership, Arc Peter Okpanachi, giving and overview of the project, said the Authority is set to construct about 1,200 units of various houses, which would cater for all the strata of the society.
He said the house types would range from bungalows, block of flats, terraces and detached duplexes.
Speaking further, he noted that the Authority would adopt various delivery models such as Direct Construction, Partnerships, and Site and Services.
In his remarks, the Abia State Governor, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, thanked the MD and his team for their continued interest in partnering with Abia state.
He described Hon Ojo as honest, upright and hard working.
Governor Otti admonished Nigerians to eschew politics and religion when pursuing development and welfare, describing them as distraction.