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FCTA, Millard Fuller to build 5,000 low-cost houses in FCT

By on May 1, 2013

Succor is on the way for the urban poor and low income earners in the Federal Capital Territory, as the Administration has approved and released a 4.6 hectares land in Mamusa District for the construction of 5,000 low-cost houses in the territory.

This is part of the Affordable Housing Programme of the FCT Administration towards addressing the dearth of accommodation in the territory.

The Honourable Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, presented the affordable housing allocation letter for accelerated development of the land to the Millard Fuller Foundation and Federation of the Poor (FEDUP).

The historic event was witnessed by the Permanent Secretary in the FCT, Engr. John Obinna Chukwu; National Director of Millard Fuller Foundation, Mr. Sam Odia; President of FEDUP, Mr. James Ugwu and senior officials of the FCT Administration.

Akinjide reiterated the commitment of the FCT Administration in ensuring a dynamic policy of decent and affordable housing for residents of the FCT.

She disclosed that the affordable housing programme of the FCTA was being executed through a public private partnership initiative, with the FCT Administration providing the required land as well as primary and secondary infrastructure while the developer will provide the tertiary infrastructure.

“Today is a historic day and a day of fulfillment of a promise. The issue of affordable housing programme is very close to the heart of His Excellency, Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR), who recently graciously approved the Affordable Housing Programme of the FCT Administration.

“Shelter has remained one of human’s basic needs since the inception of the human race. Globally, we are face with the challenge of providing social housing needs that are affordable to the common man. In the FCT, just like many other cities in Nigeria and the world, provision of housing has continued to pose enormous challenges due to the high increase in population.

“The increase in number of people that come into the territory on daily basis has further put pressure not only on our housing facility, but also on other infrastructure and service delivery. The FCT Administration is, however, assiduously working to eliminate housing deficit in the territory,” Akinjide stated.

The minister noted that the Millard Fuller Foundation had successfully built low-cost houses for the urban poor and low-income earners in Masaka in Nasarawa State and presently operating in 50 countries.

“The FCTA has started the journey towards affordable housing in the FCT and the Administration will be providing the site and services.

“We will deliver land that is fully serviced and affordable to the developers. Two Districts – Wasa and Mamusa – have earmarked for the affordable housing programme of the Administration,” she stated.

The FCT Permanent Secretary, Engr. Chukwu, noted that the affordable housing programme of the Administration would speed up economic growth of FCT and reduce the strain on the present housing stock.

“I am encouraged by this laudable project and do pray that the Millard Fuller Foundation fulfills its obligation. We are going to monitor the project and support the developer to realise the objective of the programme,” he said.

Responding, the National Director of Millard Fuller Foundation, Mr. Sam Odia, assured that the developer would build 5,000 housing units over the next three years.

“The Estate is known as Eyolo Housing Estate in Mamusa District is being developed by the Millard Fuller Foundation. The urban poor and low-income earners are our target,” Odia noted.