President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday inaugurated 70 housing units and infrastructure worth N1.8 billion in Enugu State under the Phase 1 National Housing Programme of the Federal Government.
The housing project comprised 24 units of 2-bedroom bungalows, 16 units of 3-bedroom bungalows, 24 units in condominium and six units of one bedroom bungalow.
A breakdown of the funds showed that N720,492,210 was awarded for the construction of the 70 houses while N1,052,120,088 was spent for the provision of infrastructure including construction of internal roads and drainages, water and electricity.
The president, who was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, inaugurated the project at Amakpaka-Nike in Enugu East Local Government Area of the state.
The president said that the idea was to respond to those who had long aspired to own a home, and that dream had come true with this project.
He explained that they certainly could not meet every Nigerian in person adding however, that economic policies and investment in infrastructure such as the National Housing Programme and others would reach and positively impact many people.
“In the process, the ordinary Nigerians at the bottom of the pyramid such as artisans, builders, skilled and unskilled workers and food vendors are not left out of this economic value chain.
“The Micro, Small and Medium size businesses who drive our economy were the ones who won the contracts to build these houses.
“Not only did their successful bids offer an opportunity for these companies and their employees, through them, we have unleashed a value chain of economic activities that improved the conditions of the ordinary Nigerians.
“It provides an opportunity to remember our heroes, the valiant Super Eagles to whom our Country made a promise of providing Housing for winning the 1994 African Cup of Nations, which has remained unfulfilled.
“On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, I feel proud and privileged to redeem the promise Nigeria made to these patriotic Nigerians, even if belatedly.
“As the saying goes, it is better late than never and I have approved allocation to redeem the outstanding allocation to 22 members of the Super Eagles in National Housing Estate located in their state of choice.
“Their keys and title documents will be handed over at the commissioning in their states while the remainder of the housing is allocated to willing members of the public,” Buhari said.
On his part, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said that the federal government through the ministry had delivered the housing projects with the support of state governors who provided the land.
The Minister, represented by the Director of Housing in the ministry, Mrs Lucy Uzodinma, said that the housing units would be offered to members of the public in a non-discriminatory way.
In the same vein, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr Bashir Alkali, explained that the housing programme was borne out of the present government’s desire to provide affordable housing for its citizenry.
Also speaking, the President-General, Amakpaka-Nike autonomous community, Mr Joseph Onu, thanked the government for citing such infrastructural project in the area.
Onu however, lamented that no member of the community had benefited from building allocation, in spite of donating the land freely to federal government.
In a vote of thanks, Mr Christian Chukwu, a beneficiary and former Super Eagles Coach, whom they handed over three bedroom bungalow applauded the federal government for redeeming the pledge after 28 years.
