From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Determined to provide affordable houses for low-income earners, Kano state government has acquired over N3 billion housing project for Civil Servants, particularly, teachers in the state.
The housing project loan was acquired through Teachers’ Reserved Area (TRA) Kano Housing Project Committee.
The state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje stated that the acquired N3 billion Federal Government funding would be used to construct affordable houses in phases across the various Local Government Areas in the State.
According to him, “this laudable programme is a partnership between Kano State and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) as well as the Family Homes Fund Limited initiated with the aim of providing affordable housing to the citizens of the State and other supporting civil servants to obtain affordable loans to renovate their homes so as to make them more conducive for habitation.”
He furrher stated that, “a house renovation loan of over N700 million has already been secured from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to enable civil servants and other beneficiaries who already own homes to refurbish their homes where each will receive one million naira as loan and to be repaid through monthly deduction over a period of time to allow for ease of payment.”
Ganduje spoke through his Deputy and the All Progressive Congrese (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, on Saturday, during the presentation of allocation letters for five hundred affordable housing units and house refurbishing loan to 426 beneficiaries from the teachers and other public servants held at the Coronation Hall, Government House Kano.
He reiterated that his administration has committed significant amount of funding, efforts and other investment to ensure the full realisation of these housing programmes for the benefit of its people.
“This is a testament to our commitment to the welfare of public servants and our determination towards the socio-economic development of the State,” he added.
The Governor congratulated the beneficiaries of the programmes and reminded them that the renovation loan and housing units are provided on a credit basis by the Federal Government to the State.
He, therefore, urged them to fulfill their pledge and make timely repayment as at when due so that other citizens of the State will also benefit.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub said result of getting access to the home renovation loan and other facilities offered by the FMBN to all civil servants in Kano who are contributors to the National Housing Fund Scheme made it possible for the presentation of cheques worth over N367 million to 426 Kano State civil servants.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has built 100 Housing units at Jaba under the National Housing Programme.
The Managing Director of the FMBN, Mr.Hamman Madu applauded the cooperation of Kano State Government led by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje which resulted in the resumption of participation of Kano civil servants in the National Housing scheme.
He explained that the bank is also constructing 255 housing units in some Local Government Areas in the State which will be sold to members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers.
While in his speech the Chairman of the T.R.A Housing Project Committee, Alhaji Rabi’u Suleiman Bichi highlighted the success achieved by the Committee which started with the signing of Memorandum of Understanding to develop 5000 affordable housing units across the 44 Local Government Areas in phases weich has commenced with the 500 housing units being constructed at both Ungogo and Fagge Local Government Areas.
