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Tag: Babatunde Fashola

  • Communities urge Ambode to provide U-turn on Lagos/Abeokuta expressway

    Four communities along Idi-Mango/Onipetesi to Dopemu under bridge on the Lagos/Abeokuta expressway have appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to create a ”U”-turn on the road to ease difficulties and ensure safety of lives.

    Chairman of Onipetesi Community Development Association, OCDA, Elder Kunle Amosun made the appeal at a press conference he addressed at the secretariat of OCDA at Onipetesi over the weekend.

    He also called on the Federal Government especially the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola to intercede on “this matter of urgent public importance.”

    The communities concerned are: residents of Onipetesi, Onilekere, Cement and Santos Layout with a population of about 980,000.

    Amosun said though the communities have been agitating for the “U”-turn since 2001, they are however stepping up the agitation because of the on-going construction of BRT lanes in the axis, so that government could take advantage of the construction to creat at least two “U”-turns for the communities.

    This he said would save residents coming from Oshodi the difficulty of having to go as far as to Egbeda, a distance of about 5km to turn back to their homes or for residents who want to go to Iyana Ipaja to go to Agege Motor road, a distance of about 2km to turn.

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    “It is important to know that the expressway was constructed many years ago without regard to the fact that there would be rapid development with the adjoining communities and they are disadvantaged because of location as it is bounded to the East by Murtala Mohammed International Airport, making the expressway the only route that leads to the community”.

    The chairman wondered why their case should be different because “similar projects like the Lagos/Ikorodu road and the Agege Motor road have “U” turns almost at every Bus stop.

    “Our frustrations are premised on the fact that if the construction continue without a “U” turn in our axis it will creat untold hardship for residents.

    “A lot of man-hour will be wasted, lives have been lost as a result of traffic gridlock in the expressway as many patients who would have ordinarily be saved have died in such traffic gridlock and furthermore the traffic on completion of the BRT lanes will be heavier than experienced at present”,

    “We strongly believe that one or two “U”-turn along this axis will save citizens the needless  hassle of facing agonising traffic to Dopemu and beyond, it will also alleviate the traffic gridlock for those going beyond our communities to destinations such as Egbeda, Idimu, LASU, Abule Egba, Ota etc.”, Amosun said.

    Speaking on efforts the communities have made before now, Amosun said a lot has been done in the area of sensitization and correspondences with the relevant authorities.

    “Two former Ministers of Works were contacted with promises to look into the issues but to no avail”; they have also written to the state government on the matter but the “commissioner of works gave flimsy excuse in one of his replies that a “U”-turn in the axis would further worsen already heavy traffic on the road; this is false, on the contrary it will ease traffic.

    “We met the contractor working on the road but they said there was nothing they could do as they were working on a plan given by the Lagos state government, their client”, though they said “U”-turn can be created if they are so directed, Amosun said.

    Present with him at the briefing were other prominent elders and exco members of OCDA like: Mr. Sam Emiowele, a chartered quantity surveyor, Chief Victor Oyolu, a chartered accountant, Ayo Omobowale, Engr. Jimi Taylor, vice president of OCDA etc.

     

  • Residents appeal to LASG to provide ‘U’ turn on expressway

    Residents of four communities along Idi-Mango/Onipetesi on Lagos/Abeokuta expressway have appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to create “U” turn on the road to ease difficulties and ensure safety of lives.

    Chairman of Onipetesi Community Development Association, OCDA, Elder Kunle Amosun made the appeal at a press conference he addressed at the secretariat of OCDA at Onipetesi Thursday.

    He also called on the Federal Government especially the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola to intercede on “this matter of urgent public importance.”

    The communities concerned are: residents of Onipetesi, Onilekere, Cement and Santos Layout with a population of about 980,000.

    Amosun said though the communities have been agitating for the “U” turn since 2001, they are however stepping up the agitation because of the on-going construction of BRT lanes in the axis, so that government could take advantage of the construction to creat at least two “U” turns for the communities.

    This he said would save residents coming from Oshodi the difficulty of having to go as far as to Egbeda, a distance of about 5km to turn back to their homes or for residents who want to go to Iyana Ipaja to go to Agege Motor road, a distance of about 2km.

    “It is important to know that the expressway was constructed many years ago without regard to the fact that there would be rapid development with the adjoining communities and they are disadvantaged because of location as it is bounded to the East by Murtala Mohammed International Airport, making the expressway the only route that leads to the community”.

    The chairman wondered why their case should be different because “similar projects like the Lagos/Ikorodu road and the Agege Motor road have “U” turns almost at every Bus stop.

    “Our frustrations are premised on the fact that if the construction continue without a “U” turn in our axis it will creat untold hardship for residents and we believe that one or two “U”turns along this axis will save citizens the needless hassle of facing agonising traffic to Dopemu and beyond”, he said.

    Speaking on efforts the communities have made before now, Amosun said a lot has been done in the area of sensitization and correspondences with the relevant authorities.

    “Two former Ministers of Works were contacted with promises to look into the issues but to no avail”; they have also written to the state government on the matter but the “commissioner of works gave flimsy excuse in one of his replies that a “U” turn in the axis would further worsen already heavy traffic in the road; this is false, on the contrary it will ease traffic.

    “We met the contractor working on the road but they said there was nothing they could do as they were working on a plan given by the Lagos state government, their client” though they said “U” turn can be created if they are so directed, Amosun said.

    Present with him at the briefing were other prominent elders and exco members of OCDA like: Mr. Sam Emiowele, a chartered quantity surveyor, Chief Victor Oyolu, a chartered accountant, Ayo Omobowale, Engr. Jimi Taylor, vice president of OCDA etc.

  • FG flags off N22.7bn road rehabilitation project in Adamawa

    The Federal Government has flagged off the rehabilitation of the 122 kilometre Mayo Belwa-Jada-Ganye-Toungo road in Adamawa which will cost N22.7 billion.

    Mr Babatunde Fashola, (SAN) the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, disclosed this in a statement by Mr Theodore Ogaziechi, the Director of Information in the ministry.

    Fashola, represented by Alhaji Mustapha Shehuri, the Minister of State 1 in the ministry at the occasion marking the commencement of the project, said the road was due for rehabilitation.

    He said that the road, constructed in 1999, was currently in very deplorable state with several failed sections, potholes, alligator cracks, depressions and washouts at the edges.

    The minister added that the road was also an important economic route linking major farming communities of Mararaba, Jamtari, Jada, Dashen, Ganye, Toungo and neighbouring Taraba.

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    He said that the project, expected to be completed in 36 months, would involve the reconstruction of the 112 kilometre road with 7.3 metre carriageway width and 2.75 metre shoulders.

    According to him, the carriageway will be overlaid with 60mm asphalt concrete binder course, 40mm asphalt concrete wearing course with pavement of 200mm thick and 200mm stone base.

    The Governor of Adamawa, Bindow Jubrilla, commended the federal government for the project, adding that it would no doubt, increase investment in rice production and livestock farming in the state.

  • FEC approves N15.73 billion road project in Enugu 

    The Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday reviewed upward the contract for road project in Enugu State.

    The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola briefed State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

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    He was with the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed.

    According to him, the project which was initially awarded at the cost of N10.3 billion in 2012 was to serve six different communities.

    He said that the project suffered failed implementation due to lack of funding.

    Giving reasons for the increase, he said, that there is also need to provide for erosion control.

    Details Later…

  • FG to concession six hydro dams

    Fashola directs NERC to implement competition transition charges

    The Federal Government on Monday proposed to concession six hydro dams to private operators, who are expected to build, operate and transfer them.

    The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola broke the news at the 29th Power Sector Stakeholders’ meeting in Minna.

    He noted that it was part of the government plans to energize education institutions and markets.

    His words: “These are Government-led initiatives based on the Rural Electrification plan approved by the President in 2016 to provide access to power for rural dwellers and vulnerable members of our society.”

    He noted that the government has proposed to use six hydro dams that had been abandoned for decades, Federal Universities and some markets as anchor.

    “We proposed to use 6 (SIX) small hydro dams that had been abandoned for decades, Federal Government owned universities and some markets as anchors.

    “The 6 (SIX) hydro dams are to be concessioned to private operators to build, operate, and transfer.”

    The minister said that he has directed the Distribution Companies (DisCos) to work out and implement competition transfer charges in accordance with the law, to safeguard their losses.

    He said that he will continue to monitor the impact of the policy and remain flexible to keep what works and change what does not. He urged all the stakeholders to remain open-minded, adaptive and responsive.

    His words: “The DISCOs must be interested to know that I have also issued directives to NERC to work out and implement Competition Transition Charges as provided by Law, to safeguard them from any losses.”

    The minister noted that the problem with the power sector is mostly in the distribution side of the value chain. He stressed that the ministry introduced the

    Meter Asset Provider (MAP) policy to address the meter supply gap, relieve the DISCOs of the financial burden of meters, allow entrepreneurs to take up this as a business and diversify the sources of meter supply.

    Read Also: FG to complete 21 dams, irrigation projects by 2019

    He recalled that the Regulations and Condition for its operation were issued by NERC on 8th March 2018.

    Continuing, the minister announced that “Reports reaching me indicate that there is an embracement of the policy. Entrepreneurs are showing interest and talking to banks to raise finance.

    “Some DISCOs have signed up to the Government-Supported fund of N37 Billion and we will keep an eye on the progress of the initiative.

    Government intervention in this regard is part of its role of enabling to be effective. It does not relieve the DISCOs of their contractual obligation to provide meters. On the contrary it seeks to help them perform their contract.”

    Fashola said that following the N701billion Payment Assurance Guarantee intervention for the Generation Companies (GenCos), the power producers that used to recover 20%, now record 80per cent recovery. The GenCos, he said, would prefer 100percent recovery.

    Owing to the implementation of the payment, the minister said power supply capacity has improved from 4,000MW to 7,000MW and there is an appetite by other players to participate.

    Fashola also urged the GenCos to compulsorily transparently invoice for their output, stressing that there must be harmonization of the price of gas for payment under the scheme in case of different prices from various gas suppliers.

    The minister said that “But this is only one side of the coin. The other side of the coin is that GENCOs must transparently invoice for their output and, for example, we must harmonise the price of gas for payment under the scheme, where there are differential prices arising from different Gas suppliers.”

    Fashola said that with government policy implementation, there are ongoing projects of 37,000 shops in Ariaria, about 13,000 in Sabon Gari, and about 1,000 in Sura represent SMEs, where the majority of our people earn a living.

  • FEC approves N348.59 billion for Akwanga-Gombe road 

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N348.59 billion for the road linking Akwanga though Jos to Gombe.

    This was disclosed by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola.

    He was with the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu.

    Read Also:Enugu spends N40bn on road construction in two years

    According to Fashola, the project which will be completed in 48 months, covers 420.6 kilometers.

    He said “FEC approved N348.594 billion contract for the construction of 420.6 kilometers Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe road. The project scope is the expansion of the current two-lane highway into a dual carriage way.

    “What is significant about it is that it completes the integration of the north central with the south east and the north east.

    “Council had previously approved the Abuja-Keffi Road and the Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road all in the north central. In May this year, Council had also approved Nineth Mile Enugu to Makurdi road that connects the south east to the north central.

    “That completes the spine of the major movement of agro produce and other related produce. The construction period is 48 months.” he said

    The Council (FEC) also approved N12.104 billion for ecological projects across the country.

    Femi Adesina said that the approval covers twelve projects in the country.

    He listed the states for the projects to include Anambra, Lagos, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Kachikwu said that the Council approved the installation of technology monitoring schemes and structures under Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) at a total sum of N17 billion.

    According to him, it is for automated fuel system management and censor network.

    He said “The narrative is that we have all struggled with  this whole subsidy payment and how much is consumed in Nigeria, volumes of products moved out illegally and the whole impact on FAAC accounts.

    “The President has given a very serious mandate that we ought to rein in on this process. The essence of what PEF is doing is that this will enable us track refined petroleum product movement from the point of LC (letter of credit) opening from the vessels that come into Nigeria, up until the point where they are discharged into tanks in Nigeria, and from the tanks into trucks in Nigeria, monitor the trucks till they deliver the products into the storage tanks for the filling stations and they are discharged and sold.

    “So, that will produce a 100 percent wholistic monitoring of this production. For the first time we will be able to tell how much petroleum products we consume in this country. Because, there has been so much going on in terms of the movement of consumption numbers from thirty something million liters a day to 70 million liters to 18 million liters a day during the difficult times.

    “And the challenge the president has given me is to rein that in, let’s know what we consume in reality, let’s know where these products are going and this process will be able to track every truck.

    “So, a typical truck will be licensed with a driver, with a transport company, so if a truck misses, you can find the transporter and the company that takes responsibility.

    “So we expect this to be over a period of three years but we promise that within one year, the real effects of this will begin to show. Obviously you need time to train and to continue to improve the system. We hope that by the time we start doing the 2020 budget in 2019, we would have gotten to a point where a lot of the losses that you are seeing are being tracked and substantially impact will be made in monies that come into the federation accounts.

    “It will help us keep proper data repository of consumption in this country, destruction, data on all trucks that operate, total number of products received, what is sold out of filling stations and it is going to be a collaborative system that involves NNPC, DPR and PPPRA but situate quite frankly in PEF.” he said

    According to him, FEC also approved the revision of contract for the construction of NCMB’s headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    He said that the project, which was awarded in 2015 at the sum of about N27 billion was on Wednesday revised to N42 billion.

    He said “It is one of the dramatic skyline in Yenagoa and has gone quite substantially far. This reasons for this increase was largely due to foreign exchange variables determinant which was initially about N157 to a dollar but today it is N305 to a dollar and still counting.

    “The whole idea is for contract to be completed. It is a 24 month contract and fairly far gone. We hope that once that is done, NCMB will stop paying rent in the series of buildings that it rented in Yenagoa.

    “But most important, the whole glamour of the south south states during the Vice President visit to the Niger Delta with me and the minister of Niger Delta was largely to see oil companies during foot hold in some of these south south states. The building is larger than what the NCMB needs and already talks are on with AGIP and a few of them who want to position their presence very effectively in some of these areas.

    “If we continue at this pace of construction, Mr. President should be able to commission that building between the end of this year and early next year,” he said.

     

  • DisCos’ electricity purchase rate exceeds 105 percent

    The rate at which the electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) buy power has increased to about 105% since 2015, but the rate at which the investors sell has remained at 16% for the same period.

    The Managing Director, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Engr. Ernest Mupwaya disclosed this to journalists Wednesday during the flag-off of the installation of 222,728 meters in Abuja.

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    He noted that there is a huge gap of loss in the electricity market that even 100% collection of revenue cannot fill as a result of the differential between buying and selling rates.

    His words: “the rate at with we are buying energy is not very transparent to the public. But I can tell you that if you look at the period from 2015 to date, the price at which we are buying it has increased beyond 100%. In fact 105% is where it is. But there has not been a corresponding increase downstream.

    “For the same period the increase has been 16%. So, that differential builds in a loss. That is another form of a loss which is constraining the sector’s liquidity because everybody has to rely on what we are collecting. If the price at which you are buying is very high, even if you are collecting 100% there is still a gap.”

    The AEDC, according to him, has commenced the distribution of transformers meters to checkmate electricity theft, vandalism and surveillance on the network.

    With the meters, he said that the company will be able to compare how much energy has been supplied to a number of customers in an area and how much energy they receive through their meters.

    He pointed out that whenever there is a gap in the sale, it gives an intelligent information of energy leakages which could ordinarily go undetected.

    The Managing Director added that “some people can be so creative that they will dig underground and put a cable not to be seen and put it on high load and they are not passing the meter.

    “The meters we are installing right now, even at a distance of 100 meters, they can interrogate the meter. At night they can switch off momentarily the supply, if they see that the light are still on, they will know that there is a cable which is not passed through the meter. Those are the measures we have out in place to safeguard the investments.”

    All the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) electricity debts have been centralized in the Ministry of Power Works and Housing, according the Minister, Babatunde Fashola.

    The Director of Distribution of the Ministry, Basilla Sapke, who represented him at the ceremony, said that issue of MDAs has become a recurring decimal.

    She disclosed that the Federal Government has centralized the debts in the ministry in order to stop it from reflecting in future.

    The minister said that “only yesterday (Wednesday), the minister convened a meeting with a security agent, which is one of the of areas that the distribution companies find it difficult to collect money.

    “And we discussed with them the need for metering also payment. Because one of the security outfits said even if they are metered they don’t want to be disconnected on credit.  But we are trying to put a mechanism in place such that that will be a thing of the past.

    “If Abuja DisCo will recall we put in place a mechanism to make sure that all MDAs payments are centralized in Federal Ministry of a power and housing. We are trying to include MDAs so that the issue of MDAs debt will not be reflecting going forward.”

    Fashola encouraged the distribution companies to access the N39billion loan that is available for them to meter their customers.

    He added that “from next year there will be private financing coming into the sector,” for the DisCos to double their metering space.

    The minister warned against meter bypass and electricity theft, stressing the elites are also involved in the nefarious act. He however advised the customers to report any issues with their meters to the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

    In order to reflect local content, he urged the DisCo to ensure that the 70 electrical engineers that are to install the meters are Nigerians.

    Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) representative at the event, Elder Ben Eboh, said that the power sector needs $10billion for infrastructure annually; the bank is working hard to bridge the gap in the sector.

    He said that owing to the CBN intervention, the DisCos have acquired and distributed 704,000 meters.

    The Chairman, NERC, Prof. James Momoh, noted that the commission has initiated the Credit Advance Payment Metering Implementation (CAPMI) and Metering Asset Provider (MAP) regulation as a result of the liquidity issues with the metering.

    Represented by Mr. Shaibu Shittu, who extolled the efforts of the AEDC at metering, the chairman pointed out that the company has overshot its metering expectation.

  • Power generation rises to 7,000 megawatts — Fashola

    Nigeria’s current power generation has reached 7000 Mega Watts, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has said.

    Fashola said this on Friday in Calabar at the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing 4th Edition Retreat for top directors, heads of units and chief executives of agencies and parastatals.

    He said that although there was still more to be done, the ministry had moved forward from where it was three years ago.

    “Three years ago, the story was that power generation was the main problem of Nigeria. The story was that the distribution companies were complaining that they did not have enough energy to distribute to Nigerians.

    “We were distributing averagely 2,690 megawatts of electricity to Nigerians, but today, that story has changed, distribution has risen to 5,222 megawatts, an all time national high.

    “Transmission has reached 7,000 while generation has reached 7000. The problem has not finished but all we can say is that we have made progress.”

    The minister added that the Federal Government was constructing roads in virtually all the 36 states some of which were through collaborative efforts as well as direct interventions.

    Read Also: Fashola to DisCos: Deliver power or quit

    According to him, the present administration has spent over N300 billion on roads construction since coming to power three years ago.

    “Before this administration, there was no housing policy but now we have one.”

    Fashola commended members of staff of the ministry for their support and team work, noting that without team work, the ministry would not have been able to achieve much.

    He said that the theme of the retreat which is “Goal Setting and Goal Reaching for a Focused Team,’’ was meant to reinforce the team spirit while setting out on its goals in the next 90 days.

    “It is a team that wins. We will go together as a team. If we bind together, everything is possible,” he said.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Mr Louis Edozien, said that the retreat was meant to appraise the performance of the ministry in the past 90 days.

    Edozien, who was represented by a Director, Mr Ahmed Abdul, added that the retreat would also afford the top management the opportunity to strategise on the plan of action for the next quarter.

    NAN

  • FG shifts maintenance of Third Mainland Bridge to August 24th

    The Federal Government Tuesday said the three-day closure of the Third Mainland Bridge for Investigative Maintenance Test earlier slated to begin on July 27, 2018, has been shifted to August 24.

    Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola disclosed that the new date was fixed after intense consultation with the Lagos State government among other relevant stakeholders to reduce likely discomforts and offer relief to Lagos residents and those plying the road from neighbouring states.

    Read Also:FG seeks support of Lagos residents to close Third Mainland Bridge

    According to the minister, the shutdown, earlier scheduled to last from July 27 to July 30 will now last from August 24 to August 26, 2018.

    In statement issued by his Special Adviser on Communications, Akeem Bello, in Abuja palliative measures have been put in place to de-congest the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

    The Minister directed the immediate deployment of trucks to the trailer park being constructed by the ministry to accommodate 300 trucks.

    The statement reads: “The three day closure of the Third Mainland Bridge for Investigative Maintenance Test earlier slated to begin on July 27, 2018, has been shifted to August 24 the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, has announced. The Shutdown, earlier scheduled to last from July 27 to July 30 will now last from August 24 to August 26, 2018.

    “On the efforts to decongest the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Fashola said, in the short term, he has directed the immediate deployment of trucks to the trailer park being constructed by the Ministry with the capacity to accommodate about 300 trucks while construction works for the shoreline protection continues.

    “Also, the on-going palliative work on the sections of the Apapa-Oshodi Road , the on-going construction of the road leading to the Apapa Port from Ijora will soon be completed  while the main exit route through Tincan – Oshodi – Oworonshoki is under procurement for award. When completed, the project will enable free flow of traffic in the axis.”

    The statement read further that, “following the visit of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, to Lagos in connection with the Apapa Port Gridlock, a short term measure, a call up system in the control of truck movement will be introduced.

    “It will be initially manual while the long term digital and ICT based system would be developed and deployed. The Association of Truck Owners has agreed to manage the manual system with their members who are truck operators.”

  • Oyo-Ita, Ghanaian Minister provides solution to fix housing deficit

    Says 55, 000 civil servants subscribed for FISH housing scheme

     

    Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, and Ghanaian Deputy Minister of Works and Housing, Hon. Freda Prempeh have called for increased Public Private Partnerships (PPP) to fix housing deficit in the country.

    The dignitaries including the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola made the call during 12th edition of the Abuja International Housing Show, held at the weekend in Abuja.

    It was themed: Driving Growth and Sustainability in Nigeria’s Housing and Mortgage Markets-Improving Structures and Policies for impact.

    The HOS, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Welfare Office, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack disclosed that about 55, 000 civil servants have subscribed for the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) programme.

    Oyo-Ita restated Federal Government commitment to addressing the housing deficit stressing that there are other ongoing programmes to ensure affordable housing delivery.

    “This is an indication of the desire of key stakeholders in this sector not only to fill the gaps in the housing sector in terms of quantum but also to ensure qualitative delivery. The FISH programme is being delivered in partnership with private sector organisations, either as estate developers or financiers.”

    Theme of the expo, she stated was timely as it highlighted challenges of affordable housing in the country and West Africa sub region.

    Earlier, the Ghanaian deputy minister identified high cost of building inputs, access to land title, poor land system and infrastructure cost as challenges bedeviling the sector.

    Read Also: Minimum wage increase on table, says Oyo-Ita

    Aside, Hon. Prempeh attributed corruption and selfish interest as another setback of the built industry.

    However, she called for the adoption of modern technologies and need to partner with the private sector.

    According to her, houses should be built in districts to reduce cost and achieve affordability, adding that more than 60, 000 acres of land have been earmarked for low income earners in Ghana.

    “Partnering with the private sector the more will help provide affordable housing for Nigerians,” she said.

    The Minister of power, works and housing, Fashola, while declaring open the conference restated federal government’s commitment to providing sustainable affordable housing to the people.

    Fashola said there are ongoing policies aimed at providing access to mortgage finance at single digit interest rate.

    The minister, represented by his colleague from State, Hassan Zarma noted that the current administration has initiated a new policy towards better housing delivery nationwide.

    “As our demography is increasing, there is need to multiply the structure to reduce cost of housing with efficient consideration methods.

    “It is our goal as a government to industrialise the building and housing delivery process in Nigeria and ensure that the building components are manufactured in the country.”

    Fashola was eventually awarded by organisers of the show.