The Federal Government and Messrs Signature Value Homes Ltd., on Tuesday signed over 80 million dollars Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop 1,672 houses in the FCT.

The Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi, signed on behalf of the Federal Government, while Mr Anand Ramani, Managing Partner, signed for Messrs Signature Value Homes Ltd.

Eyakenyi said that the event was significant to this administration to meet its promise in the housing sector.

She said that the Federal Government had a great mandate to ensure that Nigerians had shelter over their heads and to ensure that the vision of affordable and quality housing was met.

She said the development of the houses on a 20 hectares of land situated at Gwagwalada was a mixed development that would comprise of one, two and three bedroom flats.

The minister said that the ministry had the mandate to handle the process of providing houses and to achieve this; advert was placed and competent developers were invited to partner with the ministry.

“Several people applied, due process was taken and the selection was made and today we are about starting the implementation process with the developers carefully selected by the ministry.

“The Messrs Signature Value Homes Ltd., developers did a very beautiful presentation and gave all the proofs that they have financial backing to undertake the project.

“The ministry, having carefully handled the technical part, is today signing the MoU to enable the developer mobilise to site,’’ she said.

Eyakenyi said the role of the ministry in the project, among others, was to stress the need for quality and affordable houses.

She said that the ministry on its part gave an unencumbered land to the developer free of charge so as to take part of the construction cost off.

Also, the Minister of State for FCT, Mrs Olajumoke Akinjide, commended the Minister of Lands for putting to good use the land allocated to the ministry.

Akinjide said that the provision of the 1,672 house will go a long way to reduce the housing deficit in the country while urging the developers to do a good job.

“This is your first project in Nigeria, so the implementation of what you do will open the gateway for you to do more jobs. This is because after today, the 36 states of Nigeria will also be a part of this project.’’

In his remarks, Ramani said that the entire development would be done in phases with the overall cost of 80 million dollars and up to six types of houses.

Ramani said that 300 to 400 houses would be constructed in the first phase of the development which would be completed between six to nine months.

He said that each house would cost between 30 to 32 dollars, and assured Nigerians of a good job.

“This is our first project in Nigeria so our future in Nigeria depends on the delivery of this particular project so we will not disappoint you.

“We thank the government for this privilege and we promise to do our best; we will use the modern planning technology to develop this project. (NAN)

simplemach:
Another land wasting exercise, building two bedroom flats on two plots plots of land. Instead of build around 4 to 5 storey building of about ten flats as a real housing project. We always choose to waste our lands in the name of housing estates. Another is that when the project is completed, and you dont know anybody around there, then you are simply not eligible to apply for one.

simplemach:
Another land wasting exercise, building two bedroom flats on two plots plots of land. Instead of build around 4 to 5 storey building of about ten flats as a real housing project. We always choose to waste our lands in the name of housing estates. Another is that when the project is completed, and you dont know anybody around there, then you are simply not eligible to apply for one.