Niger State Government Initiates Mass Housing Project for Sustainable Development.
By Abdulkadir Yahaya, Minna.
Niger State Governor Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago has announced a significant initiative aimed at addressing the housing deficit within the state.
During a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) at the Niger State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, Governor Bago revealed plans for the construction of mass housing units to ensure adequate housing for workers and citizens alike.
The Governor outlined the state government’s 30-year development plan, which prioritizes agriculture and housing, emphasizing the creation of new residential layouts to close the existing housing gap.
He highlighted that the necessity to build more homes aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, with an ambitious target of establishing 100 farm estates and constructing 10,000 new houses.
Furthermore, the Governor mentioned the collaboration with MOFI to leverage the 75 percent coverage Niger State enjoys in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He disclosed that 64,000 plots of land have already been identified for development. In addition to housing, Governor Bago stated that the state government is working alongside the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and other partners to establish new settlements and phase out Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
Dr. Armstrong Takang, CEO of MOFI, commended Governor Bago as an exemplary leader and expressed confidence that the partnership would produce positive outcomes for Niger State.
Dr. Takang indicated that the corporation aims to explore agricultural opportunities while ensuring access to affordable housing through long-term mortgage options.
The Executive Director of MOFI, Sani Yakubu, reinforced the government’s renewed commitment to scaling housing efforts, while Chairman of Niger Foods, Sammy Adigun, emphasized the importance of collaborating with MOFI to support President Tinubu’s proposal of producing 2 million tons of food for the nation, highlighting that this partnership is crucial for improving the food sovereignty of Nigeria.