NAN-H-17
Housing
Ajase-Ipo (Kwara), March 19, 2017 (NAN) The Kwara Government says it is partnering with the Africa Nations Development Programme(ANDP) to provide 5,000 housing units to low income earners across the state for free.
Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony for the project at Ajase-Ipo, Irepodun Local Government Area of the state, Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed said the two-bedroom bungalow housing project was under the Mass Housing for the Less Privileged initiative.
He said that the housing project had been slated for seven communities across the three senatorial districts in the state.
The governor listed the communities as Ajase-Ipo, Offa, Osi , Ilesha-Baruba, Lafiagi, Oko-Olowo and Share .
The governor also explained that the project for the Kwara Central District at Oko-Olowo was expected to accommodate 2,000 units of two bedroom bungalow while others will accommodate 500 units.
Ahmed said only collective effort of stakeholders could assist in actualising the objective of the housing project and its target populace.
He called forthe support of the host community for its prompt completion as scheduled.
Ahmed said the government was optimistic that the housing project would bring succour to the beneficiaries.
According to the governor, the project will stimulate commerce, put more money in circulation and provide greater economic empowerment for the less privileged
“l am pleased to inform you that the lands on which these buildings will be erected have been identified and the acquisition process is on-going.
“Ultimately, new towns will be created which will enhance the socio-economic conditions of beneficiary communities.
“An additional benefit is that the construction of these housing units will boost local economies as well as provide job opportunities for artisans such as carpenters, bricklayers, electricians, plumbers and other allied professionals,’’ he said.
The Director-General, of ANDP , Amb. Samson Omojuyigbe, said the project was an initiative of his organisation, stressing that government would only provide moral support and an enabling environment.
“ Our organisation, in collaboration with its partners and other well meaning people and groups, is interested in alleviating poverty on the African soil beginning with Nigeria,’’ he said.
He further stated that ANDP was inspired by the need to make life meaningful for the less-privileged, especially at the grassroots.
The Director-General, Kwara Bureau of Lands, Alhaji Ibrahim Salman, said the land for the project was acquired through due process, adding that compensation would be paid in accordance with the relevant state law.
Kazeem Adekanye the Chairman of Irepodun Local Government Area of the state, described the housing project as “unprecedented in the history of the council.’’
He noted that adequate, quality and affordable housing remained very critical to the government’s rural integration drive aimed at impacting positively on the wellbeing of the people at the grassroots.
Adekanye pledged the support of the council toward ensuring completion of the project and urged the people to reciprocate the gesture by being supportive of government at all time. (NAN)
ISHO/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)