BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
Nigerians willing to own property at the newly commissioned Housing Project under the National Housing Programme (NHP) Phase 1 in Abere, Osun State, will pay between N7.2million and N16.4million.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fasola, SAN at the commissioning ceremony of the housing estate on Monday.
The project commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, consist of 72-units of Housing comprising 24-units in condominium (1 bedroom-4, 2 bedroom -16, 3 bedroom-4), 28-units 2 (Two) Bedroom and 20-units 3 (Three) Bedroom bungalows.
Speaking on the cost of the houses, Fasola, represented by the Director of Urban and Regional Development of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr. Moyoade Olasunkanmi Dumoye, said the costs have been subsidised by the Federal Government.
The minister noted that the houses would have been beyond the reach of Nigerians if the prices were not reduced to N7.2million per a bedroom flat, N9.1million for 2-bedroom flat and N13.2million for 3-bedroom flat which are in the condominium site of the estate.
According to Fasola, who noted that the costs included amenities such as construction of roads within the estate, electricity and water, added that the stand alone 2-bedroom bungalow in the estate costs N12.3milion while 3-bedroom goes for N16.4 million.
Fasola said, “For the one-bedroom in the condominium, N7.2million, 2-bedroom is N9.1million and 3 bedroom is N13.2million. For the stand alone bedrooms, (the bungalows), 2-bedroom, N12.3 million, and 3-bedroom, 16.4 million. We have about three offers. We have the totally outright sales, you pay and you take over your property. We have the pay by instalments and we have the rent to own alternative (they will give you the house, you will rent and continue to pay all the outstanding, after which you can now own it).
“The issue about the prices takes a sound mind to really comprehend why we arrived at that figure. Because, when we got here (Abere), it was bush, there was no infrastructure, so, we have to provide the roads, the water, the electricity apart from the building. So, when you combine the cost of providing the infrastructure, it is enormous. The cost here is not really about the houses itself, it is about the cost of infrastructure that is provided here. Even, the Federal Government has reduced the prices because if you have to add all the costs, it will be beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians. So, the prices have been discounted,” he added.
On how Nigerians can access the houses, Fasola said, “We have offered all these housing units to members of the general public in a non-discriminatory way by opening the National Housing Portal at https://nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng/ to ensure that those interested are not inhibited by any artificial obstacles and allocations will be made on the basis of those who apply and pay on a first come, first served basis.
“While we welcome those who can afford to pay outright, it is not a condition for eligibility and we have offered flexible payment options like mortgages and rent to own which we encourage applicants to pursue.
“The story of these housing projects which are now visible and available in 34 States of Nigeria would be incomplete without the efforts of many Nigerians who contributed to its delivery.”
Meanwhile, President Buhari stated that his administration was committed to improving the conditions of the masses with its programmes and policies.
Buhari said, “The Micro, Small and Medium size businesses that 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 mass of Nigerian people.
“They engaged suppliers who benefit from sub-contracts for the supply of building materials from sand to cement, roofing and plumbing material to doors and electrical fitting. In the process, Nigerians at the bottom of the pyramid such as artisans, builders, skilled and unskilled workers and food vendors were not left out of this economic value chain.
“These are some of the people our country remains committed to move towards prosperity and away from poverty and we are already reaching them by providing opportunities for employment for those who were hitherto unemployed,” the President stated.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Zonal Director (South West) National Housing Programme, Dr. M.K. Muhammed, noted that the land the project was built on was donated by Aregbesola when he was governor in the state.
“The National Housing Project is promoting local content in line with the Executive Orders 3 and 5. The use of available local building materials in the National Housing a programme (NHP) has stimulated the economy through the production and use of the materials,” the zonal coordinator stated.
Aregbesola urged potential inhabitants of the estate to plant trees as part of ways to solve climate change. He named the phase 1 of the housing estate ‘Inumidun Federal Housing Estate.’
Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, represented by the Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Hon. Nathaniel Agunbiade, commended the Federal Government for the project.
The Timi of Edeland, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa 1, was at the event.
