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Senate Pledges Support For Renewed Hope Housing, Seeks More Funding
The Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development, has pledged support to the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and called for more funding.
The Chairman of the committee, Sen. Aminu Tambuwal, said this during an oversight visit to the ministry in Abuja.
Tambuwal said the oversight was necessary in order to know the progress of projects and ensure that monies appropriated were spent in accordance with extant laws and regulations.
“Democracy is all about checks and balances to ensure that the right thing is done by the agencies among other things.
“As we appropriate, we also go around and see whether the money is released and if released, are being applied judiciously.
“We are ready to support the program of the Federal Government in providing affordable housing for Nigerians under the renewed hope housing agenda.
“We believe that more money should be given to the Ministry of Housing because this is one great sector that will generally distribute wealth to the lowest of the low,’’ he said
Tambuwal said that the committee was concerned with the incessant building collapse in the country and called for stricter regulatory actions.
“The issue of building collapse is becoming a very big issue in Nigeria and it largely has to do with the way most of these projects have been implemented by using substandard materials and not following the designs.
“I think the regulatory authorities should step up and ensure to reverse this ugly trend.’’ he said.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, said the ministry was working towards the actualisation of the renewed hope housing agenda of the president.
Dangiwa said that the groundbreaking for the Renewed Hope Cities, had been done in 13 sites funded by the 2023 supplementary budget.
“We have one city in Kano and then the other two in each of the political zones of the country. They are happy with the spread of the estate, that it covers the entire nation.
“They are also happy that the project cuts across all political parties. So no one will talk of favouritism to the ruling party or any other party,’’ he said.
Dangiwa said that the ministry was also working on slum upgrade and urban renewal in over 28 sites across the country.
He said the committee was happy with the progress of the project so far and advocated for more funding for the ministry to the tune of N500 billion.
The minister said, “If you give the Federal Ministry of Housing N500 billion, give them two years, they will return nothing less than N300 billion back to the coffers of the government by selling these houses, even with little subsidy to the nation.’’
Dangiwa said that the ministry had put measures in place to avert building collapse while delivering affordable housing to Nigerians.
This, he said, was by ensuring proper design by qualified consultants, proper planning approval done by the professionals in the planning authorities. substandard building materials were not used in ensuring the construction is done with good building materials.
“We have to ensure that the contractors executing the projects are qualified contractors, not political contractors who don’t have to go through the specifications before they implement it.
“So these are some of the measures that we have put in place to ensure that we curb building collapse and we are ensuring that all the planning authorities in charge with supervision of construction sites monitors them,’’ he said
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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