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Yobe State Governor Named Housing Friendly Governor of the Year 2022
Gov. Mai Bala Buni of Yobe has been named Nigeria’s Housing Friendly Governor of the Year 2022 for announcing 50 per cent subsidy on houses built for civil servants in the state.
The governor was conferred with the award by the Housing Development Advocacy Network at the Africa Housing Awards, an annual event that celebrates and promotes excellence in the housing and construction industry.
The governor was represented by his deputy, Idi Gubana.
Speaking at the occasion, Buni said that the passion to alleviate the housing need of the people inspired his government to build 2,250 housing units for the beneficiaries in the state.
“The need for the construction of 2250 housing unit by this administration arose because of the need in the sector and the remedy is the mass housing policy that will alleviate the housing need of the people.
“These housing units were divided into three categories, three bedrooms urban and two bedrooms rural detached, which were constructed across the state, while some were built in tertiary institutions, hospitals and other government institutions that required housing for their staff.
“To ensure efficient and timely completion of the housing unit, Family Homes Limited was contracted to undertake the project and handed over to the state government in record time,” he said.
He commended all the state government housing agencies for their supervisory role to ensure the timely delivery and qualitative housing to the people of the state.
In his remarks the deputy governor said that it was also to the credit of the state governor that the housing was subsidized by 50 per cent of the total cost that was allocated to the beneficiaries
Gubana, therefore, commended the governor for his magnanimity towards the good people of Yobe State.
He also appreciated the organizer of the African Housing Award Mr Festus Adebayo, for recognizing the governor, corporate organizations and individuals, who have excelled in the provision of housing for the masses.
The Executive Director Housing Development Advocacy Network, Festus Adebayo, said that the essence of the event was to look at the event and give honours and awards to those who have done a more in a better way than others in the sector.
“For instance those who have shown some level of creativities, innovation, that is why you see many of us here”.
Adebayo said that the way out to the problem of housing in the country was for the government to take the business of houses serious by being responsible in providing low cost housing.
He said that was the only way the government could help in addressing the challenges of affordable housing in Nigeria.
“The challenges basically are the interest rate, access to land, titling and commercialization of building approvals; these are the factors that are affecting the cost of houses in Nigeria.
“Now looking at the economy, with the high level of inflation which has made the prices of building materials to be up, what you see around is that the private sectors are building for those who already have the houses, while those who cannot afford the houses are still battling to own houses.
“So therefore, the way forward is for the government to take the business of housing serious by being responsible in providing low cost housing.
“Government is the only one that can provide low cost housing; it is only government that can drive the social housing, affordable housing, because it is the government that has the custody of land.
“Look at what we are doing today, we are honouring the governor of Yobe State, this the governor that built houses and found out that the cost of the houses is N7 million or N8million and the government said how are you going to afford these houses with the level of the economy and the government is subsidizing by 50 per cent.
“These are the area by which government can involve, provision of subsidy, either for the building materials, importation or tax incentives for any one that is into provision of building materials, these are the way forward.
“And, in the case of the Yobe State, the government did not end up in providing 50 per cent subsidy but also said that the 50 per cent that remains will be paid for ten years. Imagine paying 50 per cent of 7 million for 10 years, it is like dashing away the house.”
Also, the Nigeria’s Ambassador to Republic of Burundi, Elijah Onyeagba, urged the government to focus more on the provision of affordable houses for the low income earners in the country.
The Lagos State Government has said it would soon arrange a meeting with developers/owners of distressed buildings on how best to address the redesign and remodelling of such structures by November.
This was disclosed recently by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, at a function in Alahusa, Lagos.
Olumide said the prevalence of distressed buildings in different parts of the state was worrisome and needed the urgent attention of all stakeholders.
He said, “The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development as mandated by the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2019, as amended, was willing to extend its responsibility for approving the remodelling of existing buildings to provide technical assistance to developers and owners of distressed buildings, especially on the design and remodelling of such buildings.
The Federal Government has instructed the contractors responsible for the 107km Enugu-Onitsha road dualization to expedite the project.
This directive was given by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during a meeting with MTN, the Enugu State Government, and the contractors, RCC Ltd and Nigercat Ltd, on Friday.
According to a statement released on Friday, the minister said he is disappointed over the slow pace of work on the project, he said, “Let me express my disappointment over the slow pace of work on that project. It is one of the worst roads in this country.
“Everywhere we have diversion; diverting from the one that RCC and Nigercat had completed, the contractors are not kind enough to even put stone based on the diversion points.”
He added, “So, by the reason of the launching of our Operation Free our Roads, it is now a violation of the policy on the side of the controllers and directors of the Federal Ministry of Works where we have vehicles falling on any project that is ongoing or where there are potholes on our roads.”
He also blamed the sufferings of road users on the lack of commitment and insensitivity of the contractors.
“The public must know that the President’s intention is not for them to suffer while trying to fix the roads, and it is their right to insist that contractors should fix the roads that they are engaged on,” he said.
The Minister commended the Enugu state government for their resolve to fund the construction of a 20 KM section of the road and expressed hope that MTN would execute the second phase of the project.
He noted, “Why the Enugu State government is intervening is because of the slow pace of work by the contractors and because of funding issues. The essence of tax credit is for funds to be made available. And so, I don’t see RCC going to keep their promise to finish this project in 6 months.
“My advice to MTN is to look for another contractor within that axis if they want to get the job done. Division of labour is even the best. While they are doing the road, and if Nigercat is doing a good job, you can give them greater scope to do if you want to finish that job.”
He warned contractors that the Federal Government would not accept phased handovers of projects and has phased out Variation of Price in contract administration.
The Ekiti State government has intervened to resolve a longstanding land dispute between the Elepe of Epe-Ekiti, Oba Ayodele Adesoye, and the Atolagbe family. The government cautioned against the misuse of modernization as an excuse to disregard traditional customs.
In line with the community’s traditions, the government has ordered the release of resources, including palm trees at Oko Oba Farmland, to Oba Adesoye for his administration. This decision ensures the continued adherence to age-old practices.
Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, announced the resolution in Ado-Ekiti. The decision was made after considering the Elepe’s claim to Oko Oba Farmland based on historical evidence.
Mrs. Afuye acknowledged the Elepe’s right to be the custodian of Oko Oba Farmland, citing longstanding traditions that support his claim. The decision reflects the importance of respecting historical practices and ensuring their preservation.
The deputy governor, however, told the monarch in clear terms that other princes and princesses from all the three ruling houses should be allowed to farm on the land without payment of royalty.
Mrs Afuye appealed to the community to comply with the government’s position to restore unity, peace and orderliness to the beleaguered community.
Oba Adesoye expressed gratitude for the government’s decision and pledged to foster peace and unity between the throne and the community, aiming to accelerate Epe’s development.
Representing the Atolagbe family, Dr. Yemi Agbeleoba acknowledged their willingness to cede Oko Oba Farmland to the monarch. However, he emphasized the need for all three ruling houses to participate for a lasting and traditional solution.
Agbeleoba expressed appreciation for the government’s directive, believing it will contribute to resolving the long-standing conflict.
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