Remarks by His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,
GCFR At the Flag-Off of the Federal Government Nationwide Mass
Housing Programme for Nigerian Workers, Apo Tafiya Project Site,
Apo, Abuja
Wednessday 17 December, 2014
PROTOCOLS
1. I am delighted to be here this afternoon to flag-off this
Nationwide Mass Housing Programme for Nigerian workers.
2. Let me begin by expressing my appreciation to the leadership of
the two Federations of Trade Unions in Nigeria, namely the Nigeria
Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria
(TUC), for their resolve to partner with Government towards the
provision of affordable housing for Nigerian working families.
3. I also wish to commend all workers who have shown their faith in
partnering with Government and Labour, by keying into this Housing
Project.
4. From the onset, this administration was determined that the
transformation of every sector of our national economy, would be at
the top of our National Development Agenda. Within the matrix of
national development, the potential of the Housing Sector to change
lives and engender economic development was too critical to ignore,
given the multiplier effects that the sector can engender in terms
of job and wealth creation, and the maximization of human potentials
for national development and growth.
5. In view of these potential benefits, we are committed to
ensuring that the huge housing deficit in our country is bridged
through a number of mass housing delivery schemes, including the
Nationwide Mass Housing Programme for Nigerian Workers , which we
are flagging-off here today. This is a continuous exercise that would
permeate all parts of the Federation.
6. I would like to reiterate that this administration recognizes the
importance of workers’ productivity to the development and growth
of our nation. Indeed, the world today recognizes work as a source of
personal dignity, family cohesion and security, industrial peace and
harmony, as well as an incentive for harnessing national productivity
for sustainable development. As part of good governance, we
encourage democracy in trade unionism through freedom of
association and assembly, and the right to bargain collectively.
7. In order to achieve higher productivity, which is a necessity for
inclusive growth and development, workers welfare must be given
serious consideration and attention. This should include providing
every Nigerian worker with decent and affordable Shelter, which is a
topmost priority in our Transformation Agenda.
8. Furthermore, Nigeria has developed its Decent Work Country
Programme 1 & 2, with priority areas on job creation, social security
and capacity building. It provides security for the family, and a
Social Protection Floor, which are nationally defined sets of basic
social security guarantees, including basic needs of workers, such as
housing.
9. It is worthy to note, also, that in addition to providing shelters
for millions of Nigerians, this project has also provided many
Nigerians with employment opportunities. It is estimated that by the
end of the scheme, over 5-10 million Nigerians would have been
engaged in productive employment.
10. Based on the priority of this project and in order to ensure
the timely execution of the Nationwide Mass Housing Programme for
Nigerian Workers, I directed the Federal Capital Territory
Administration (FCDA) to allocate 300 hectares of land for the take-
off of the pilot scheme, which will deliver 20,000 housing units for
workers in Abuja. The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) will
also provide adequate funds for the successful completion of the
project and make available mortgage loans for workers to acquire
the houses.
11. I am glad to note that the framework of the project being
flagged-off today is the first of its kind, and firmly in the spirit of
the Transformation Agenda. This has been embedded as a component
of the Social Safety Nets Programmes of SURE-P , and is yet
another gain from SURE-P, a major player in the provision of
infrastructure within the estates through funding support.
12. On completion, the Apo Tafiya Pilot Project in its initial phase
in Abuja, will deliver 1,205 Units of mixed income housing units,
comprising of 4-Bedroom and 5-Bedroom Duplexes, 4-Bedroom
Semi-Detached Duplexes; 3-Bedroom Terraced Duplexes; and a
variety of 2-Bedroom and 3-Bedroom Block of Flats built on two,
three and four floors.
13. The ideal location of the site, in this fast growing district, will
further attract commercialisation and urbanisation, thereby enabling
the decongestion of the Federal Capital Territory and its environs. I
am hopeful that the project will be completed as planned, in the next
six months.
14. I commend the developers of this pilot Scheme, Messrs Good
Homes Development Company Limited, for the immense progress that
has been achieved within such a short time, as well as for the
diligence demonstrated. I urge other developers involved, to emulate
the same entrepreneurial expertise and zeal, and quickly mobilize to
their allocated sites to ensure the timely delivery of housing units
for purchase by Nigerian workers Nationwide, so that many more, can
become proud home-owners.
15. Similarly, I intend to Flag-Off a similar Project under this
Scheme, being developed by the Chicason Group, in no distant time.
I hope that the progress we are making will encourage more private
sector investment in this noble and worthwhile cause - providing
affordable housing for Nigerians and ensuring the welfare of
workers and their enhanced productivity. It is a cause that can pay
huge dividends, not only in good investment returns, but in the social
payoff, by providing many jobs, as well.
16. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, as we flag-off this project
today, I promise that our administration will not waver on our
commitment to transform our country. And in doing that, we will
make sure that the counterpart infrastructural development of the
mass housing, is accorded top priority.
17. I call on the entire Nigerian working class to continue to serve
as partners in progress with the government, and social partners
with the employers, through the NLC and TUC. This will ensure that
there is industrial harmony in their places of work.
18. I also call on Government agencies and the Developer involved
in these projects, to ensure that the houses under this Scheme being
flagged-off today, are delivered to their owners at the shortest
possible time. This is essentially due to the fact that this project is
a litmus test of our commitment to ensuring the welfare and well-
being of Nigerian workers.
19. And to the fortunate beneficiaries of the first phase of this
housing development Project, I say hearty congratulations. As you
fulfil your long-term dream of becoming proud home-owners, and
eventually settle into your new homes, I wish you abundant joy, good-
luck, peaceful existence and sustained progress in all your
endeavours.
20. On this note, it is now my pleasure to perform the Flag-off of
the Nationwide Mass Housing Programme for Nigerian workers at the
Apo Tafiya Project Site, Asokoro, Abuja, today, Wednesday, 17
December, 2014.
21. I thank you all and may God bless the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.
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