The ongoing National Housing Programme (NHP) in Ibadan, Oyo State has generated over 4,090 employments and empowerment to Nigerians within the site locality, an official said on Saturday.
Mr Mosunmade Odusanya, Director of Architectural Services, Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and Oyo state Team Leader made this known during an inspection of the project by officials of the ministry.
Apart from bridging the critical housing deficit in Nigeria, NHP is initiated to address and improve the socio-economic conditions through employment generation, poverty alleviation and empowerment of people within the locality.
The NHP site is one of the largest sites in the South West zone, located at Kilometre 17, Oyo-Ibadan expressway, Onidundu, Akinyele Local Government Area.
Briefing newsmen on the project, Odusanya said that the 72 housing units construction have engaged 13 contractors, 110 professionals, 3,832 skilled and unskilled labours and 40 food vendors.
He added that 55 building materials suppliers, 35 blocks moulders and five security guards were also employed; so, it has made positive impact on the economy of the state.
According to the team leader, the project is at its completion stage including painting and decorating, external works and landscaping, electrical and mechanical fittings and fixtures.
“There was minimal challenge of delay brought by the initial water log land given by the state government which was later changed to a well planned and secured environment”.
The Federal Controller, Mrs Sarah Alawode, told newsmen that the NHP project had motivated many other projects to spring up in the area, adding that infrastructure project would begin soon.
Alawode, who was represented by Mr Bola Adesanya from Oyo state Field Headquarters, disclosed that additional 10 hectares of land has been approved by the state government for its second phase.
A representative of the contractors, Mr Olanrewaju Balogun, complained about delay in funding, adding that most times he received 15 per cent fund to start a job which he said was meagre to compare to the project.
He noted that many indigenes of the state have benefitted as he employed 25 skilled and unskilled workers for the project while he utilised 85 per cent locally sourced materials.
Some artisans at the site also commended the Federal Government for initiating the NHP, which they said have improved the living conditions of their families.
Mrs Taiwo Oladejo, a food vendor, at the site expressed joy for the opportunity to sell food in the location, adding that she was making average of N15, 000 daily.
Oladejo, a widow with five children, said the project brought hope and succour for her because she was able to build a home for her family and educate her child from the income.
The ministry officials had earlier inspected the NHP in Osun state, situated in Abere, Ede North Local Government Area of the state.
The project comprises 28 two bedroom units, 16 three bedroom units and a condominium block consisting of 24 different housing units, with 68 units as total.
Presenting the site situation report, Mrs Lola Onwubalili, Team Leader Osun state and Deputy Director of Architecture, Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, noted that 16 units have attained completion.
In respect to infrastructure, the official said that the ministry also appointed three contractors to provide road, water and electrical infrastructure for the site.
“The water infrastructure is at 80 per cent completed with drilling of four additional boreholes, installation of ground and overhead water tanks and construction of a water treatment plant building.
“Progress on the road contract includes completion of the site survey, setting out roads and site clearing.
“The contractor handling external electrification has completed the erection of the electric poles and construction of housing for the transformer substations,” he said.
Onwubalili said that one of the multiplier effects of the housing project was jobs creation in Osun, saying that the programme has provided jobs for contractors, building professionals and artisans.
According to her, scores of skilled artisans and hundreds of unskilled labourers including building materials suppliers, block makers and food vendors have benefited from the scheme.
She said the main challenge to the project occurred at the beginning of the project when site operations were delayed for two weeks due to riots in response to demolitions by the state government in Abere area.
Onwubalili said that with the help of the community’s traditional rulers, the problem was speedily resolved.
The NHP, which is ongoing in 35 states of the federation was being anchored by the ministry of power, works and housing.
(NAN)
