The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is to build 250 housing units in Osun, the Minister, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa has said.

Dangiw disclosed this during the groundbreaking ceremony of the project, on Tuesday, in Osogbo.

Dangiwa said that the housing projects were under the ‘Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme of the ministry.

The minister said that the estate would comprise 50 units of one-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, 150 units of two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, and 50 units of three-bedroom semi-detached bungalows.

Dangiwa added that the housing units were projected to be completed in the next three months.

He explained that the housing programme was launched in February by President Bola Tinubu, with the inauguration of 3,112 housing units in Karsana, Abuja.

“Under phase one of this programme, we plan to deliver a total of 50,000 housing units across Nigeria.

“This will include seven ‘Renewed Hope Cities’ that will have between 500 and 1,000 housing units per site in each of the six geopolitical zones and the FCT.

“The Renewed Hope Estates will have 250 units per site in the remaining 30 states”, he said.

Dangiwa said that the housing project was also aimed at unlocking the massive potential of housing development, creating jobs, uplifting lives, and boosting economic development in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the president.

According to him, the project is also to stimulate inclusive growth, lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty and build a one trillion-dollar economy.

The minister said that in order to make the houses affordable, different options had been provided to enable everyone who had a source of income and livelihood to own them when they were completed.

“These include single-digit mortgage loans that beneficiaries can repay over 30 years, rent-to-own schemes provided by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, and outright purchase options for those who can afford to pay upfront”, he said.

Dangiwa thanked Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State for providing land for the housing project in the state at no cost.

In his remarks, Gov. Ademola Adeleke said his administration was running a housing expansion agenda with a view of providing affordable houses in the 30 local government areas of the state.

He added that the federal housing project will complement the state government’s efforts.

Adeleke, represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, said that by providing housing across the country, President Tinubu had demonstrated his resolve to bridge the housing gap and promote economic growth in all regions of the country.

(NAN)

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has tasked all safety officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to ensure an enhanced safety culture in all NAF activities or operations.

Abubakar gave the charge at the NAF Safety Review Board Meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that the actions or inactions of all NAF personnel could either help to propel or break the accident chain sometimes experienced in the course of NAF activities or operations.

The Air Chief also called for the emplacement of appropriate actions to break the accident chain, so as to enshrine a good safety culture that transcends all levels in the NAF.

According to him, it is vital that they thoroughly examine all the safety issues arising from this meeting and come up with objective and innovative ideas that would enhance safety in the NAF.

In his words, “While we all know that safety is a collective responsibility, this board is primarily accountable for safety administration in the NAF.

“Accidents are the results of a sequence of events, beginning with deliberate decisions taken and NAF cannot afford to pay lip service to issues relating to safety.”

Abubakar said that the NAF regarded safety as one of its core functions and reiterated its commitment to developing, implementing, and reviewing policies to ensure that all activities were conducted in a safe and conducive environment.

According to him, NAF will intensify efforts to enhance safety as it continues its transformation into, “an agile and resilient force that effectively meets the airpower demands of national security in all operational environments”.

He gave assurance that more interesting and auspicious days were ahead for the NAF in view of the Federal Government’s commitment to equipping it with modern platforms.

According to him, the need for a proactive and enhanced safety culture is thus critical in ensuring that their usage is maximised.

(NAN)

FEMD Rescues Three from Collapsed Building in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) rescued three individuals from the rubble of a collapsed four-story building in Abuja on Monday.

Mrs Florence Wenegieme, the acting Director-General of FEMD, announced in a statement on Tuesday that no lives were lost in the incident.

The building, located at 23 Nkwere Street, off Ahmadu Bello Way, Area 11, Garki, collapsed while undergoing renovations. Wenegieme reported that the rescued victims were taken to the hospital, treated, and discharged.

FEMD received a distress call around 8:20 p.m. on Monday via their 112 emergency toll-free number, alerting them to the building’s collapse. The department swiftly activated the Department of Development Control, FCT Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, Julius Berger Fire Service, and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for immediate response. CGC Construction Company also provided support, and the Garki Divisional Police Command was present at the scene.

Wenegieme emphasized the importance of adhering to building codes and engaging professional builders and engineers. “Developers should also carry out integrity tests on existing buildings before carrying out renovations and use only standard building materials,” she stated.

Reacting to the incident, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director of Development Control, ordered the demolition of the remaining structure and sealed the premises. He also announced that the Nigerian Buildings and Roads Research Institute would be engaged to conduct integrity tests on other buildings in the area.