The Federal Government has concluded arrangements for the official groundbreaking of Phase 1 of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates project, beginning with 1,250 housing units in four states in the North.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, stated, yesterday, in Abuja, that the exercise followed the programme officially launched by President Bola Tinubu, with a 3,112-housing unit project in Karsana, Abuja. He also hinted at the successful completion of the contracting process and mobilisation of reputable developers to start work.
The minister disclosed that construction activities at the project sites would be as follows: 250 housing units at Renewed Hope Estate in Katsina, 500 units at Renewed Hope City in Kano, 250 units at Renewed Hope Estate in Yobe, and 250 units at Renewed Hope Estate in Gombe.
“We are committed to our promise to Tinubu, to turn the country into a huge construction site and unlock the potential of the housing sector to create jobs, catalyse economic growth, and contribute to the $1 trillion economy while boosting national development,” he said. Dangiwa described the 1,250 units in Katsina, Kano, Yobe and Gombe as only a start.
“After this, we shall be proceeding to other parts of the country,” he added, noting that under the 2023 supplementary budget, the ministry had awarded contracts for 3,500 housing units in 13 states since December 2023. “This includes 500 housing units in Kano, 250 housing units in 12 other states, including Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, Gombe, Nasarawa, Benue, Osun, Oyo, Abia, Ebonyi, Delta and Akwa Ibom.
“To enhance affordability and ease of take-off, we used organic designs, where one bedroom can be expanded to two bedrooms and three bedrooms as the income of beneficiaries increases over time.”
At an average of 25 direct and indirect jobs per housing unit, the 1,250 housing units are estimated to create 31,250 skilled and unskilled jobs. Construction work at the sites will also stimulate local economic activity, benefiting the communities and the broader economy.
The minister called on all state governments that had yet to provide land for the projects to do so to enable the ministry finalise necessary arrangements for the project plans.
