The Federal Government, through the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), has commissioned 100 units of the proposed 1,000 units of two- and three-bedroom apartments at the FHA Estate in Ajoda, in Egbeda Local Government, Ibadan, on Monday.
Medical personnel from the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, are the beneficiaries of the first phase of the 100 units.
The Managing Director of the FHA, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, in his address, said the initiative is in line with the present administration’s Renewed Hope Initiatives.
He said President Bola Tinubu has given the FHA a marching order on the provision of affordable housing to all categories of citizens in all the states of the federation.
According to him, “President Tinubu gave us a marching order to renew the hope of Nigerians by delivering affordable housing for all.
“This place had been abandoned since 2018. We are here to correct what went wrong. This is just Phase One; we still have 900 more units to deliver,” he said.
He added that the initiative would accommodate both the formal and informal sectors.
“The informal sector must also benefit. They even have more resources than the formal sector. Nothing stops us from allocating 100 to 150 units to them,” he said, adding that studio apartments are also being planned for young Nigerians starting life.
He assured residents of adequate security and called on the Federal Mortgage Bank to step up public awareness of mortgage options available for prospective homeowners.
“We won’t disappoint Nigerians or Mr President. Under our administration, no project will be abandoned. Ibadan will get the full 1,000 units,” he declared.
To demonstrate appreciation for the traditional institutions that he said provided the land, Ojo announced the allocation of a two-bedroom unit each to the Alajia of Ajia, Oba Akinsola Oladepo, and the Onisade of Isade, Oba Saliu Oguntayo, on behalf of the President.
Earlier, in his remarks, Engr. Remi Omowaiye, FHA Executive Director of Project Implementation and Chairman of the Commissioning Committee, said the next phase of project commissioning would take place in Abuja.
Also, in his address, the Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank, Alhaji Shehu Usman Osidi, said Nigerians can access mortgage facilities at 6% interest for a period of up to 30 years.
“It’s open to all Nigerians. Just walk into any of our branches to pick up a form. We have zero tolerance for corruption,” Osidi said.
The representative of Greenwood Construction and Equipment Leasing Nigeria Limited, the developer of the property, Mr Ige Ayeni, praised Tinubu’s commitment to housing for all.
“This place was a forest before we moved in. Now, it is giving hope to Nigerians who had lost it,” he said.
Ayeni added that the project is not limited to government workers but also open to traders and artisans.
Traditional ruler, Oba Oladepo, commended the government’s efforts but urged more infrastructural development in the estate, Ibadan, and Oyo State in general.
“We want good roads, electricity, and more intervention from the Federal Government,” he said.
Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Oyo State, Fatunola Timothy, called for security considerations in estate designs, including armouries and accessible security posts.
Meanwhile, Prof. A. Adenipekun, representing subscribers, urged the FHA to expand housing for young professionals.
“We still have many doctors and health workers who need homes. When this is completed, subscribers will exceed expectations,” he said.