The President, Muhammadu Buhari, on
Tuesday, in Abuja, said his regime had delivered change to Nigerians,
especially in the area of affordable housing.
Appraising his regime’s
performance in office during the inauguration of a housing estate in Zuba,
Abuja, on Tuesday, the President claimed that the new housing estate was
addressing multidimensional poverty among the citizens.
But the opposition parties
described his claims as bogus, insisting that he performed woefully.
Presenting keys to the new
homeowners at the Federal Housing Authority, Zuba, Buhari said, “I convey my
hearty congratulations to the new homeowners in this estate. Our promise of
change has been fulfilled for you.’’
The President also said the new
housing estate was addressing multidimensional poverty as the beneficiaries had
“taken a step up on the ladder of prosperity and away from poverty.’’
The N9.5bn estate, which is located
on 18.5 hectares of land, consists of 16 blocks of three-bedroom flats in a
block of eight flats, 32 blocks of two-bedroom flats in a block of eight flats;
14 blocks of one-bedroom flats in a block of 16 flats and five blocks of
terrace duplexes in four rows.
Buhari, who has less than 27 days
left in office, pointed out that investments in housing created employment
opportunities for artisans and other skilled members of society.
He urged residents of the estate to
consciously work together with the FHA to ensure the maintenance of the
property and the safety of the environment.
He stated, ‘’Housing supply is one of the
indices of multidimensional poverty that challenges our people and the
completion of this estate provides a solution for the beneficiaries.
‘‘The new homeowners who benefit
from this estate have taken a step up on the ladder of prosperity and away from
poverty.
‘‘One of the measures that we have consciously
deployed to attack poverty, create prosperity and develop our economy is the
aggressive provision of infrastructure nationwide.
Commending the Chairman, Managing
Director, Members of the Board and Staff of FHA on the successful completion of
the estate, the President noted that the project was another testament to his
regime’s commitment to lifting people out of poverty.
13,000 employed
On his part, the Minister of
Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said 75 contractors were engaged in the
project, while over 13,000 Nigerians were employed both directly and
indirectly.
He also thanked the President for providing
leadership through his approval of appointments to the leadership of the FHA
Board and Management.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Office of FHA, Senator Gbenga
Ashafa, described the project as a manifestation of the regime’s deliberate
housing policy in line with the promise of providing shelter to Nigerians.
He said the Authority delivered the project at
a total cost of N9.5bn with the subvention of N7.5bn from the Federal
Government.
The balance of N2bn of construction cost came
from the Authority’s other projects, which were ploughed to complete the
estate.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, FHA, Senator Shuaibu Lawal, thanked the President for providing the
grant of N7.5bn for the project to commence in May 2018.
But the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party and Social Democratic
Party took a swipe at the President over his self-commendation, saying
Nigerians did not take him seriously anymore.
The PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel
Anyanwu, said, “Here is a man who promised to fight insecurity. Is the country
safe and secure today? He said he would fight corruption and revive the
economy. What is the situation today? The man has nothing more to offer apart
from laying claims to achievements that no one is aware of.”
The Chief Spokesman for the Obi-Datti
Presidential Campaign Council, Yunusa Tanko, believed Buhari’s latest action
was a clear display of mediocrity and ineptitude.
He noted, “How can he say that
when many people are living under bridges? Is he even aware of how many people
we have in IDP camps that have not been resettled? I am sorry to say this. But
this is mediocrity and ineptitude at play.
“There is no justification for probably
providing housing for all. We are far behind in terms of deficit. President
Buhari’s statement is not justifiable, please. Giving himself a pass mark at
this stage is self-gratifying.”
NNPP slams Buhari
The New Nigeria People’s Party National
Publicity Secretary, Dr Major Agbo, questioned the propriety of Buhari’s praise
of his regime, adding that Nigerians would praise him if he had done well.
He stated, “We are all Nigerians.
If there is anything tangible enough for us to agree that he has well, it will
not be hidden. It will be there publicly for everybody to see. The question is,
what are Nigerians saying? Everybody appears to be on one page. This government
has not done well.”
On his part, the SDP National Publicity
Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba said Buhari should be ashamed for making such a
false claim.
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