By correspondent in Lokoja.
Photo credit:The Sun Nigeria.
The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has given directive for the immediate commencement of work at the proposed 1,000 units housing estate,known as Kogi State Renewed Hope City at the outskirts of Lokoja, the state capital.
The project is under the Renewed Hope Housing Project of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Governor gave the directive when he played host to the Management of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), led by the Managing Director, Ayotunde Ojo on a working visit to Lokoja, the state capital
Ododo noted that the meeting was aimed at finalizing preparations for the implementation of the Renewed Hope Housing Project in the state, adding that it was a further demonstration of the resolve of his administration to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He described the meeting with the management of the Federal Housing Authority as timely, in view of the determination of his administration to ensure that Kogi State enjoys her fair share of efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the housing deficit in Nigeria with the Renewed Hope Housing Project.
While commending previous efforts made by the state government to address housing deficit in the state, Governor Ododo noted that Kogi state is critical to the actualisation of federal government policy to provide affordable housing for the Nigerian populace under the Renewed Hope Agenda, in view of the strategic location of the state.
“As a state that borders nine other states and the FCT, our population growth and the effect of urbanization and migration to the state from neighbouring states and the FCT for social and economic reasons has significantly impacted housing needs in Kogi State.
“It will be the most strategic choice for the FHA through the Renewed Hope Housing Project of Mr President to consider Kogi State as a prime location for the Renewed Hope City.
“Kogi State is hereby allocating 100 hectares of land to the Federal Housing Authority to commence the building of the Renewed Hope City with full compensation paid by the government,” he said.
The Governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding Kogi State worthy of consideration for the Renewed Hope Housing Project, stressing that the construction of the Renewed Hope City in Kogi State is in line with his campaign promise to make Kogi state open for business and by expanding housing development beyond the 16- kilometer radius of the state capital master plan.
The governor assured the FHA of all the support required to ensure successful implementation of the Renewed Hope City in the state.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Taiye Abanika expressed optimism that the working visit by the management of the Federal Housing Authority would serve as an impetus for the state to key into the Renewed Hope Housing Project.
According to him, the project is aimed at enhancing access to affordable housing by all Nigerians particularly the people of Kogi State.
Earlier, the Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority, described his visit to Kogi state as a home coming, adding that he has ancestral connection with the state capital.
He commended Governor Ododo for the bold initiatives of giving priority to the welfare of workers and ensuring security of lives and property in the state.
The managing director assured that the organization would mobilize resources to commence the construction of the Renewed Hope City in the state as soon as possible.
Our correspondent gathered that the Kogi State Renewed Hope City is to be located on a 100 hectares of land off the Lokoja-Okene road in Zariagi.
In another development, the state government has promised a robust welfare package for teachers to motivate them for quality service delivery.
The Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel Salifu, gave the assurance at a three-day “Education Study Circle Leadership” workshop for members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in Lokoja.
He said that Governor Ahmed Ododo’s administration, within three months in office, had been fulfilling the promises he made to teachers during the electioneering campaign.
Salifu, who was a former Kogi State NUT Chairman, noted that there had been tremendous improvement in teachers’ welfare in the state,particularly at the local government level.
He appreciated the entire teachers in the state for voting massively for Ododo/Salifu ticket during the November 11 governorship election.
“NUT is where I come from; I am happy to be here today because I always belong to NUT, and I am proud to be part of Ododo’s administration.
“We have seen a lot of promises being fulfilled for teachers within three months of this administration and it will continue.
“What has happened within three months of Ododo’s administration was unprecedented.
“I know as a talk and do governor, there are betters days ahead for teachers.”
Earlier, the National Coordinator, NUT Study Circle Leadership Project, Mr Solomon Igbelowowa, said the workshop was aimed at enhancing and building the capacity of teachers for effective performance.
Contributing,the state NUT Deputy Chairman, Mr Seun Ayorinde, assured the state government of the total and continuous support of teachers for Ododo/Salifu administration to ensure their outstanding success for the benefits of the entire people of the state.
Edited by Dawud Ahmed.
