BY ADEOLA AJAKAIYE
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State laid the foundation over the weekend for the construction of 500 Houses at Rafin Mallam and Yola, in Ungogo Local Government Area of the state.
Represented by his deputy, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, the governor commended the federal government for the initiative, which he said would assist in reducing the housing deficit in the state.
He said the 500 houses are the first phase out of 3,500 of the housing units to be constructed in the Teacher Reserve Area (T.R.A) which consists of basic amenities such as electricity supply, water and roads as part of the efforts of his administration to provide affordable houses to its citizens.
“Our administration is committed to the provision of qualitative infrastructure and in our bid to create an enabling environment we have directed the Ministry of Environment to provide seedlings for planting of trees at the site. These houses are meant for the teachers, civil servants and members of the public,” he stated.
Ganduje added that the construction of the houses would boost the economy through the creation of jobs for the unemployed youths in the state. He therefore urged the contractors to patronise the markets in the state when purchasing the building materials.
He also urged the contractors to ensure timely completion of the project in accordance with the agreement made.
The governor, however, expressed appreciation to the federal government for its support to the development of the housing sector in the state.
Femi Kolawole, managing director, Family Homes Funds Limited, who was represented by Musa Shu’aibu described the project as a milestone achievement that would create 5000 jobs.
He thanked the state government for the partnership with assurance that they would construct qualitative and standard housing projects.
Allocation letters were presented to the beneficiaries of the scheme during the occasion.
In attendance were Ali Sani Fani, permanent secretary, salaries and wages, who represented the State’s head of civil service; Rabi’u Suleiman Bichi, chairman, policy strategy, implementation and evaluation directorate; chairman of Ungogo, Gezawa and Gabasawa local governments, respectively; Nuraddeen Zubair, managing director, Kano Housing Corporation; and representatives of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, and Nigeria Union of Teachers.
