Bauchi Governor Mohammad hails President Buhari for encouraging critical reforms initiatives

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for encouraging critical reforms initiatives which manifests in the six emirates of the state in the proposed construction of 2,500 housing units.

Governor Bala Mohammed was speaking at weekend during the official Ground Breaking Ceremony of the Construction of 2,500 Affordable Housing Units in Collaboration with Family Homes Funds Limited held at Dungal Village of Bauchi Local Government.

The Governor who thanked the for his kind intervention that led to the flagg off of the project, said it cost was 12 billion as it will be completed within 12 months.

“May I remind the Honourable Minister that Bauchi is the natural constituency of President Buhari. I am assure Baba understands his place in Bauchi going by the Constant show of love to him through the ballot box and beyond.

According to the governor, the procurement of the contractors has followed all due process while upon production of advanced payment certificate, 30 percent mobilization will be paid to all of them based on measurement and certification.

“These Houses will be distributed as follows Bauchi Emirate Council, 1,500 units, Azare in Katagum Emirate, units, Misau in Misau Emirate, 250 units, Ningi in Ningi Emirate, 200 units, Jamaare in Jamaare Emirate, 100 units, and Dass in Dass Emirate, 100 units.

“These houses are coming in a period when our demographics have changed dramatically due to internal displacement caused by insurgency as many people within the region came to our state thereby creating a significant imbalance especially in respect of existing facilities.

The Governor assured that, quality assurance mechanism has been established with a corresponding compliance arrangement to drive the project to effective delivery as that will protect the goodwill of the government and people of the state as well as the federal government.

He said as part of effort to regain the lost glory of education sector through addressing school enrollment, his government will rebuild the Government Secondary School Bauchi in the new city with a view to sustaining the legacy of the school.

Governor Mohammed said in compliance with the government intention of providing opportunities to the people, his emphasis on the local content and community engagement is very clear.

The governor therefore called on the contractors of the housing project in all the emirates to patronize local suppliers to enrich the value chain that this project will create for the benefit of the host communities.

“We call on developers to partner with us to build shopping malls and other facilities in compliance with established procurement standards and global best practices.

“While assuring that equity and justice will constitute our watchwords in the distribution/allocation of the houses to rightful beneficiaries, we are hopeful that after completion, Mr. President will grace the good people of Bauchi state with his presence to Commission the houses for beneficiaries to occupy.”

The Special Guest of Honour who is the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed Shamshuna challenged other leaders to emulate the Bauchi governor in changing the narrative of their people and governance in Nigeria through housing and social development.

The Minister who spoke through Ambassador Adamu Jumba commended the state government for giving priority to housing sector aimed at meeting the major need of the citizens.

“Today we are gathered here not just witnessing the ground breaking of the 2,500 houses, but also the beginning of milestones that will bring great development in this  state.

“This project makes it possible for up to 2,500 families to live better without the huge financial burden it would be incurred. Shelter is one of the three basic needs of life.”

Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Construction Company, Family Homes Funds Limited, Mr Femi Adewole noted that over 20 thousand youths in the state are expected to be engaged for the work and acknowledged the commitment and efforts of Governor Bala Mohammed towards ensuring the actualization of the project.

The State Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Honourable Hamisu Muazu Shira had earlier said the affordable housing project will go along way in cushion the effects of the devastations due to insurgency activities, noted that the project could not have come at a better time than now because of the recent discovery of oil deposit in the state.

“The Bauchi state affordable housing project has a moratorium span of about 4 years with the period of repayment is in the bracket of 12 years and 15 years while the building provides expansion spaces as family grow.

The Commissioner explained that the three bedroom flat has expansion capacity of four bedrooms while the two bedroom has provision to expand to three bedrooms.

Hamisu Muazu Shira said Senator Bala Mohammed remains the first out of 36 other state governors to have explored this opportunity to the advantage of his people.