


Press Statement
The attention of the Ministry of Works and Housing has been drawn to the activities of the Management Committee of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), a transition committee created by law to undertake routine management of the ARCON upon expiration of tenure of its statutory council and pending the constitution of a new council.
2. In spite of presidential approval for the inauguration of a new council, it has not been possible to inaugurate the council as a result of litigation instituted by members of the Architecture Profession seeking to stop the inauguration.
3. In the face of this self-induced stalemate, the Management Committee is purporting to exercise powers which only a full committee is permitted by law to exercise.
4. Such conducts are clearly not only in violation of their enabling statute but could also attract criminal sanctions. These activities include: a plan to organize the 2022 Colloquium for architects in Nigeria from Monday 23rd –Thursday 26th May, 2022 and a plan to undertake Architects Professional Competency Evaluation (APCE) Exercise. These are core functions of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria and not that of the Management Committee.
5. In order to forestall any breach of law and guide the Management Committee of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, the stakeholders, and members of public appropriately, it is pertinent to make the following clarifications in line with the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria Act (Cap A19 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004).
6. The membership composition of the Council is spelt out in Section 2 (2) of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria Act, Cap A19 L.F.N 2004 which provides for the constitution of a 49-member Council of ARCON.
7. It is this Council that the Act vests with the performance of the core functions of ARCON as provided for by Section 2 (1) (a- c) of the Act. These functions can only be undertaken by the Council when there is a quorum of the membership of the Council. This is expressly stated in Section 4 of the First Schedule to the Act, thus: “The quorum of the Council shall be ten, so however that, at least one of the persons appointed by the Institute and five of the representatives of the States of the Federation are present at the particular meeting and the quorum of any committee of the Council shall be determined by the Council''
8. The Ministry is not unaware of the provisions of Clause 1 (5) of the First Schedule to the Act, which provides that: “Notwithstanding that the term of office of a member of the Council has expired by the effluxion of time, a person appointed as the President, Vice-President or Treasurer of the Council shall continue in that office until a fresh appointment is made to the office.” It is the position of the Ministry that this provision does not entitle the President, Vice-President or Treasurer who now constitute Management Committee to assume the role of the Council having regards to the statutory provision of Quorum of the Council. Clear guidance is provided by Section 27 of the Interpretation Act Cap. 123 L.F.N 2004, Thus: “any act or thing which a statutory body is authorized or required to do
shall only be done by a majority of members of such statutory body or a quorum of them.''
9. A compound reading of the provisions of Section 4 (on the Quorum of the Council), Clause 1(5) of the First Schedule to the Act and Section 27 of the Interpretation Act clearly indicates that, the President, Vice-President and Treasurer of ARCON do not constitute a quorum for the purpose of carrying out the core functions of the Council. It therefore, follows that the President, Vice-President or Treasurer who now constitute Management Committee can only oversee the routine management of the Council. Moreover, Section 7(3) of the First schedule to the Act further provides that: A decision of the Committee shall be of no effect until it is confirmed by the Council.
10. The attention of the Ministry of Works and Housing has been drawn to the activities of the Management Committee particularly the newspaper publication in The Guardian Newspaper of 16th May 2022 in respect of the Architects Professional Competency Evaluation (APCE). These are core statutory functions of the Council when properly constituted and therefore ultra vires the functions of a Management Committee to act upon.
11. Consequently, in exercise of the supervisory powers of the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing pursuant to the provision of sections 3 and 4 (1) of the Act, as well as Clause 2(2) of the First schedule to the Act, I have been directed by the Honourable Minister to convey the following to the Management Committee of ARCON that the Committee should:
i. refrain forthwith from all activities which constitute statutory functions of the Council as enumerated in Section 2 (1) (a- c) of the Act until a new properly constituted Council is in place;
ii. only oversee the routine administrative management of the Council until a new properly constituted Council is in place;
iii. Retract recent statement in the advert by the Committee on the Architects Professional Competency Evaluation (APCE);
iv. intensify efforts to reconcile the warring factions to embrace dialogue in resolving issues leading to the stagnation of the Profession rather than engage in needless litigation that created the current impasse; and
v. ensure that the issues that led to the litigation that created the current impasse are speedily and amicably resolved in the best interest of the Architecture profession and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
DATED THIS MONDAY, 23RD DAY OF MAY 2022.
Signed:
Bashir Nura Alkali, FCA, FCTI
Permanent Secretary
For: Honourable Minister
FG Scales Up Infrastructure Development in Tertiary Institutions
Hands Over 1.1km road to Fed. Poly Ukana-Uyo
76 Tertiary Institutions to benefit
The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has again lived up to its campaign promise of bridging the infrastructural gaps in the country by providing accessible roads network in tertiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones.
That was evident as a fully rehabilitated and constructed 1.1 kilometre road at the Federal Polytecnic Ukana-Uyo in Awka Ibom State executed by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing was commissioned and handed over to the institution on Tuesday, March 29,2022 by the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing,Mr.Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN.
Represented at the ceremony by the Federal Controller Works in Akwa Ibom State, Engr.Gabriel Akinwande said, " The gap of our infrastructure needs is steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways and it has reached the schools."
Fashola described the construction of internal roads at various campuses as a deliberate step by government to positively impact on the quality of education as well as create a conducive learning environment for renewed enthusiasm with regards to attending classes by students.
'' We have successfully intervened in the internal road networks of 46 tertiary institutions and have handed over 29 as at 2021.We now have another 17 ready to be handed over with about 30 more roads in similar institutions across the country receiving attention of the Buhari-led administration," he added.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Rector of the Federal Polytecnic Ukana,
Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Udak Ukekpe appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his interest in enhancing education in the country through the provision of logistics like the construction of internal road network in tertiary institutions.
He added that the road rehabilitation was timely and will add great value to the students and other road users in the campus, noting that the action of the Federal Government will also go a long way in addressing the infrastructural deficit in the institution.
Dr. Ukekpe pleaded with the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN to further assist the institution in the remaining 3.1km road left to be covered.
In an Interview, the Vice President of the Students Union Government (SUG) Ms. Blessing Mbonisa said the construction of the road had made the school opened to everyone and that it has boosted the morale of the students academics.
A lecturer, the coordinator of Mechanical Engineering Department, Engineer Emabong Etieakpan, while appreciating the Minister, pointed out that the road has been helpful to both staff and students most especially the motorists and those walking in and out of the school.
“There was no road in this place before. It was a busy area that nobody can access, but now, with the road construction, students can now easily go to their lecture rooms without flood which was not like that before."
The event was well attended by students, staff and board of directors of the school as well as the traditional leader of Ukana West in person of His Royal Highness Okuku Sylvanus Obot Ekanem.
FG Hands 0ver 1.6 Kilometre Road To Bayero University Kano.
. To install transformers for the institution soon
. Plans to work on more internal roads in BUK
The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola ,SAN, has handed over the 1.636 internal road in Bayero University Kano to the University authorities on Wednesday, March 23, 2022.
Represented by the Federal Controller of Works in Kano State, Engineer Yahaya Baba Ali, the Minister stated that the internal road construction and rehabilitation in tertiary institutions by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on behalf of the Federal Government was part of the steady effort by the Federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to bridge the gap in the Infrastructural needs in the country.
Fashola said "The gap of our Infrastructural need is steadily being bridged by the gradual process of repairs, renewal and reconstruction on major highways and it has reached the schools."
He further said, "We have successfully intervened in the internal roads network of 46 Tertiary Institutions and handed over 29 as at 2021 and we now have another 17 ready to be handed over while we are currently attending to 30 roads in similar institutions across the country making a total of 76".
The Minister revealed that efforts were being made for another intervention work on the internal roads of BUK that is three times bigger than the one that was being handed over to the University. This is in addition to the plan to construct a pedestrian bridge at the entrance gate of the institution to put a stop to the accidents that occur sometimes when people are trying to cross the road to the University.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor of the University , Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas who was visibly overjoyed expressed gratitude to the Federal government and the Ministry of Works and Housing for the intervention work adding that the road being handed over which leads to the solar plant of the institution was in a very bad shape before.
He said, " We are really very grateful to the Minister and the Federal Government and we are appreciative of another gesture of coming in to rehabilitate more roads for us so we extend our gratitude to the Minister and the Ministry."
The VC also disclosed that the University had received the award letter to the contractor that is coming to install transformers in the institution, adding that once that is done most of the problems of the school associated with power supply will be a thing of the past.
Mustapha Aminu, a Deputy Registrar in the University said in an interview, "Before the commencement of the project, this place was very hard to reach . Now with the completion of the road done by the Federal Government, it has linked the main road that leads to all parts of the University community. So it will make movement and other activities easier.I want to commend the effort of the Ministry for doing a great job."
The Acting Director Establishment in the institute, Binta Yahaya Naisa said, " The road was bushy, so bushy that sometimes people could not pass through. But now that the road has been constructed, it has opened up the place so much that you can see the next village from here."
" It is a very good development . It will improve our security and provide easy access from one place to another."
Nura Garba had this to say, "It is a road that leads to other parts like farms around and new hostels under construction." It was very difficult to pass through this place especially during the raining season, we had to park our cars far away."
" This work is a sigh of relief, you can see people moving around. It is so good to move around here now because the contractor has done a very good job so we thank the Federal Ministry of Works for doing this great job."
Fashola Restates FG’s Commitment To Quality Education As AKTH Receives 1.06 Km Rehabilitated Internal Road
· CMD, other academic, non-academic staff, laud Buhari, Minister for intervention
The Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, took delivery of a 1.06 kilometer internal road rehabilitated in the institution by the Ministry of Works and Housing with the Minister, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, restating Federal Government’s commitment to the development of education in the county through the provision of quality infrastructure.
With the handover of the 1.06 km internal road, which included the construction of reinforced concrete culverts and drains, AKTH joined the Federal Tertiary institutions which have benefitted from the ongoing Federal Government Road Intervention Scheme across the country which has so far reached 46 Federal tertiary in across the six geopolitical zones.
Fashola, who was represented at the occasion by the Federal Controller of Works in Kano State, Engr. Yahaya Baba Ali, said President Muhammadu Buhari's administration has successfully intervened in the internal road network of 46 Federal Tertiary institutions handing over 29 in 2021 with17 others now ready to be handed over, while work is ongoing on 30 roads in similar institutions across the country bringing the total number to 76.
Noting the show of joy and enthusiasm that always accompanied such handovers, especially among students of benefiting institutions, the Minister declared, “The quality of education will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment and those who doubt it should simply listen to some of the feedbacks from students in the schools where this type of intervention has taken place”.
Earlier, in his welcome address the Chief Medical Director of the Teaching Hospital, Prof. Abdurrahman Abba Sheshe, expressed happiness that an important project of that magnitude was executed in the institution, pointing out that it would allow easy access for patients seeking medical treatment in different parts of the hospital.
"We are indeed very happy that the Federal Government, under President Muhammadu Buhari and through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, realized the importance of this project which was carried out through special intervention. The result is what we are seeing all around the hospital today”, he said.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Board of Directors, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, represented by Dr. Dahiru M.D Shehu, expressed the hope that the present administration would continue to bring in more projects to the hospital.
"I thank President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, for the road which will help in the development of the Health Sector in the country," he said. He also commended the administration of President Buhari for the support given to the hospital in terms of improvement of the healthcare system in the county.
The Principal Imam, Academics, AKTH. Mallam Zakariya'u Muhammad thanked President Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing for the internal road adding, “This has brought relief to the people. Before the intervention visitors to this hospital suffered from dust due to the bad road and during raining season patients and pupils found it difficult to access the road."
The ward head in the Hospital, Alhaji Suleiman Shehu, expressed his happiness over the intervention and thanked the government for removing the pains of the people while using the road. “We can now move freely on the road”, he said.
FG Committed To Development Of Quality Education Through Quality Infrastructure - Fashola
..... 1.06 km internal roads with reinforced concrete culverts and drains handed to AKTH
.... CMD lauds Buhari for the intervention
Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, has said that the Federal Government will remain committed to the development of Education in the county through the provision of quality infrastructure.
The Minister spoke in Kano while handing over 1.06 km internal road, including construction of reinforced concrete culverts and drains at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano (AKTH), Tuesday, March 22, 2022.
Fashola was represented by the Federal Controller of Works in Kano State Engr. Yahaya Baba Ali.
He said " it is undebatable that the quality of education will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment and those who doubt it should simply listen to some of the feedback from students in the schools where this type of intervention has taken place".
The Minister stated further that President Buhari's administration has successfully intervened in the internal Road networks of 46 Tertiary Federal institutions and handed over 29 as at 2021.
Accordingly, he said that another 17 tertiary institutions Internal roads are now ready to be handed over, while work is ongoing on 30 roads in similar institutions across the country making a total of 76.
Earlier, in his welcome address the Chief Medical Director AKTH Prof. Abdulrahaman Abba Sheshe expressed happiness an important project of this magnitude has been executed in the teaching hospital, pointing out that it will allow easy access for patients seeking medical treatment in different parts of the hospital.
" We are indeed very happy that the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari through the Federal Ministry of Works realized the importance of this project which was carried out through special Intervention, the result is what we are seeing all around the hospital today" he said.
In his remarks, the Chairman Board of Directors, AKTH, represented by Dr. Dahiru M.D Shehu said he is hopeful that the present administration will continue to bring in more projects to the hospital.
" I thank Pesident Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fashola for the road which will help in the development of the Health Sector in the country" he said.
He also commended the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for the support given to the hospital in terms of improvement of the health care system in the country.
In an interview, the Principal Iman Academy AKTH Mallam Zakariya'u Muhammad thanked President Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing for the internal road.
He said " this has brought relief to the people. Before the intervention visitors to this hospital suffer from dust due to the bad road and during raining season patients and pupils finds it difficult to access the road".
The ward head in the Hospital, Alhaji Sulaiman Shehu, expressed his happiness for the intervention and thanked the government for removing the pains of the people while using the road, saying that they can now move freely on the road.
Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Agog As Fashola Commissions, Hands Over Internal Road
• Minister reiterates FG’s commitment to impacting Education through Infrastructure upgrade nationwide
• Medical Director says intervention is the first since the establishment of the school. “Pro. Adeoye Lambo and his wife are dancing in their graves”, he says
• Some people only close their eyes to what President Muhammadu Buhari is doing for the country –SUG President
Students, Academic and non-Academic staff of the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital, were jubilant on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, as the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, commissioned and handed over a 1.3-kilometre internal road rehabilitated in the institution by the Ministry.
Wednesday’s ceremony would bring to 35 the number of rehabilitated internal roads commissioned and handed over to various institutions since the resumption of the second session of the Season of Completion and Impact in Federal Tertiary Institutions temporarily suspended earlier as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
In his address at the ceremony, which attracted a large number of the academic community, stakeholders and members of the public, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, said the objective of the Buhari administration in extending its Infrastructure delivery Initiative to the schools was primarily to enhance the learning environment in the institutions.
Fashola, who was represented at the ceremony by the Federal Controller of Works in Ogun State, Engr. Umar Bakare, said the 1.3 kilometre road, which, according to him “is part of Federal Government's Intervention Roads Rehabilitation Programme for Tertiary Institutions across the country”, would help the movement of people, ease learning and facilitate speedy healthcare delivery service in the institution.
The Minister, who handed over the road to the Provost / Medical Director of the Institution, Dr. Paul Agboola, declared, “Today we converge here at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta to hand over an important asset , a 1.3 kilometre internal road rehabilitated and reconstructed by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on behalf of the Federal Government”.
According to him, the fact that the quality of infrastructure and upgraded learning environment in all the institutions nationwide would impact positively on the productivity of students and the academic as well as the non-academic staff was already being attested to by students of the institutions that are already enjoying their upgraded infrastructure assets.
“It is undebatable that quality of healthcare delivery will be impacted by and those who doubt it should simply listen to some of the feedbacks from staff in the hospital where this intervention has taken place”, the Minister said adding that because of its convictions, government had taken on the rehabilitation of internal roads and other assets in 76 Federal Tertiary institution across the country with 29 roads already completed and handed over with 17 also completed and being handed over while 30 others are ongoing.
In his remarks earlier, the Medical Director of the institution, Dr. Paul Agboola, noted that the Buhari administration’s intervention in the school was the first since the establishment of the school adding that the act would surely invoke great joy in the hearts of the academic community as well as the founding fathers of the institution.
“Since the establishment of this hospital several decades ago, this is the first time in recent years where internal road networks construction within the hospital is carried out by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. This singular act has put smile in the faces of the hospital staff and patients. In fact, one of our outstanding founding fathers, Late Professor Adeoye Lambo and his wife are dancing in their grave saying thank you to President Muhammadu Buhari and his team, especially the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola , SAN”.
Also the institution’s Head of Administration, Mr. Richard Kayode, in his remarks noted that before the rehabilitation the road was “almost impassable to motorists and caused discomfort to pedestrians especially during the Raining Season”, adding, “We say thank you to the Federal Ministry of Works Housing and its head, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN. President Muhammadu Buhari has been doing a lot from what we can see today in road repairs across the six geo political zones of the country”.
In her remarks, the Chief Nurse /Tutor in the institution, Mrs. Dada Joseph, commended the quality of the road saying “it is the type that can stand the test of time”, adding that the road represented a major achievement for the Buhari government in assisting the school. “For some years back, it has been difficult moving around while people complained about the road including patients and staff”, she said.
The Press and Public Relations Officer of the Hospital, Mr. Oluwatoyin Abiola, in his vote of thanks on behalf of the institution, said, “On behalf of the entire Management and the Board of Directors, I am saying thank you to President Muhammadu Buhari for repairing the internal road in our institution. It is a plus to his administration."
One of the contractors who spoke at the event from Henod Integrated Limited, Prince Louis Okojie, thanked the institution and Federal Ministry of Works and Housing for giving the company “the enabling environment to complete the scope of work within the time frame without disturbance or financial constraint”, adding, “We thank the Honourable Minister much more for believing in indigenous contractors to handle this project”.
The Vice President of the Students Union Government (SUG) of the institution, Comrade Odutola Samuel, while expressing delight that the repaired road would provide good opportunity for the students and staff to teach and learn in conducive environment “after so many years of bad road and hardship”, gave kudos to the Federal Government for the gesture that has also been extended to other institutions across the country, adding, “Some people only close their eyes to what President Muhammadu Buhari is doing for the country”.
The event was well attended by representatives of Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, staff and students of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta and contractors of the project.
REMARKS BY H.E. BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE BOARD AND MANAGEMENT OF FEDERAL MORTGAGE BANK OF NIGERIA (FMBN) ON THURSDAY, 21ST APRIL, 2022
When the founders of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) conceived of it in the 1970s, they were clear in their minds of a few things.
One of the things was that they were creating a Bank, in every sense of the word, and that they were creating a specialized Bank, which they intended to do only one thing – to provide Mortgage Banking services.
All of these are self-evident from Section 1(i) where it was provided that:
i. There is hereby established a Mortgage Bank to be known as the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (in this Act referred to as “the Mortgage Bank”)
In Section 5 of the Act the functions of the Mortgage Bank are set out clearly as follows:
“The functions of the Mortgage Bank shall be to:
a. provide long-term credit facilities to mortgage institutions in Nigeria at such rates and such terms as may be determined by the Board in accordance with the policy by the Federal Government, being rates and terms designed to enable the mortgage institutions to grant comparable facilities to Nigerian individuals desiring to acquire houses of their own;
b. license and encourage the emergence and growth of the required number of viable secondary mortgage institutions to service the need of housing delivery in all parts of Nigeria;
c. encourage and promote the development of mortgage institutions at rural, Local, State and Federal levels;
d. supervise and control the activities of mortgage institutions in Nigeria;
e. collect, manage and administer the National Housing Fund in accordance with the provisions of the National Housing Fund Act; and
f. do anything and enter into any transaction which in the opinion of the Board is necessary to ensure the proper performance of its functions under this Act.
The powers of the mortgage Bank are set out in Section 6 as follows:
i. Without prejudice to the generality of section 5 of this Act, the Mortgage Bank shall have power to:
a. accept deposits and savings from mortgage institutions and other institutional depositors;
b. issue its own securities, including debentures and bonds under Federal Government guarantees and issue promissory notes and other bills of exchange for the purpose of raising funds from financial institutions;
c. establish a sinking fund for the redemption of securities by the Mortgage Bank and provide for contributions by it to the sinking fund;
d. carry out research aimed at improving housing patterns and standards in both urban and rural areas of Nigeria; and
e. carry out research on mortgage finance activities and the building construction industry in Nigeria;
f. provide and operate, in collaboration with reputable insurance companies, a mortgage protection system designed to guarantee liquidity to mortgage institutions as well as afford them the opportunity of having liberal premium terms; and
g. do anything and enter into any transaction which in its opinion is necessary to ensure the proper performance of its functions under the Act.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I have taken time to address the Law setting up the institution you have been appointed to administer, so as to leave you in no doubt whatsoever, as to what your mandate and purpose is.
As a creature of Law, you are forbidden from making the Bank do anything that the Law does not authorize it to do, and you can become individually and corporately liable for non-compliance with the Law.
This has become the important starting point for my inauguration remarks because in the tenure of previous Boards and Managements before this Administration, the Bank has been made to do things the Law did not contemplate and this has resulted in hobbling liabilities which I regret to inform you that you must now confront and resolve.
In addition I expect this Management and Board to bring to a Lawful end, all other ventures into which the Bank has dabbled which are not supported by Law.
I expect this to happen through due process, supported by Legal consultations, Board debates and decisions and Ministerial or Presidential approvals as may be necessary.
Your primary mandate is to re-position this Mortgage Bank as the pre-eminent Mortgage Bank for Nigeria as envisioned by the founders.
This is why you will see that majority of the Members of the Board are either Bankers by training or Bankers by work experience spanning several decades.
The reason is clear, all the regulatory obligations that the Bank has to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) must be complied with.
I would advise that the Board and Management should at the earliest opportunity engage with the CBN and agree a Schedule of Compliance and Implementation of all reform initiatives including the computerization of the operations of the Bank which has begun.
As you will see, not only is there a prevalence of Bankers amongst your ranks, there is diversity of ethnicity, gender and religion. Every Zone of the 6 Zones in Nigeria is represented and from 1 female member, we now have 3 female members of the Board.
Please let me be also very clear that this is a huge privilege for you as it has been for me, to be amongst the few Nigerians involved in the public service of our country.
It is not an opportunity for self-help but an opportunity to help others, especially to own a home, by rendering selfless service.
Therefore, I will share with you the advice I have shared recently with an institution I inaugurated last week.
We are not in our homes; we are in a public space, where we have to work with others in a team to achieve results. Those other people may not speak like us or dress like us, or even eat what we eat or pray like us. But they are part of us, a part of the diversity that we have been enriched with.
If we manage our ego, we will realize that they are not different from us and we have a lot in common and we can learn a lot from each other.
Remember as Ryan Holiday said in his book, “ego is the enemy.”
Please manage your individual ego and help us to solve the problem of access to housing and do not become the problem.
Let me be clear that the Ministry will give you every reasonable and lawful support but we will not hesitate this time to recommend to Mr. President, the removal of any nominee who falls short of the standards, or becomes a problem.
In other words, your tenure of 4 years on the Board and 5 years on the Management Committee are not guaranteed but subject to performance.
In addition to all your responsibilities, I expect you to quickly advert your attention to the completion of the over 2,000 Housing Units at various levels of completion under the Ministerial Pilot Housing Scheme.
I cannot end my remarks without a word of gratitude to the immediate past Board and Management for their service which is deeply appreciated and will not be forgotten.
On behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, it is my honour and pleasure to inaugurate the Board and Management of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria as now reconstituted.
I wish you a successful tenure of service.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s Acceptance Speech Of The 2021 Trophee Babacar Ndiaye
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This is an auspicious African day, in the capital city of Africa’s most populous nation.
It is an African day of Pride, where the story of Africa’s long-awaited Renaissance begins to unfold inside her largest country by population and GDP.
It is a day of Pride for the African Union and Her Dreams for the continent. The policies and programmes that have been inaugurated over the years are beginning to bear fruits and results.
The Trans African Highway programme, launched in 1971 sought to connect the whole of African through a major system of Nine (9) highways, the TAH1 to the TAH9 covering an aggregate distance of 56,683km.
The African Development Bank, a financial institution set up to support the African Countries in their developmental objectives.
The African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement set up to create a unified, borderless market of over one billion people to facilitate intra-African Trade.
I am delighted to report that Nigeria is playing her membership and leadership role in all of these institutions and in the pursuit of achieving their objectives.
Only a few days ago in the city of Lagos, our private sector opened a 3,000 metric tonne granular Fertilizer Company to support Farmers and Agriculturalists on the African continent and beyond.
Our collaboration with the African Development Bank has been productive and results are now manifest in projects like the Mfum-Bamenda Bridge that connects Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon. I also acknowledge the support of the Bank in financing Feasibilities, Consultancies and Pre-construction work on the Lagos-Abidjan Corridor comprising Nigeria, the Republic of Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire which is part of Trans African Highway No. 7 from Dakar in Senegal to Lagos in Nigeria.
I am happy to report that the Nigerian sections of this highway is now under construction on the Lagos-Badagry corridor through our local financing institution such as the Tax Credit Scheme introduced by Executive Order No. 7; and in collaboration with the Lagos State Government.
I am able to report that apart from Trans African Highway No. 7, Nigeria is also connected by Trans African Highways No. 2, Algiers to Lagos and Trans African Highway No. 8, Lagos – Mombasa.
The East to West crossing of Nigeria across the Second River Niger Bridge which will be finished this year is a major investment by Nigeria on the Lagos-Mombasa Trans African Highway, as is the Enugu – Abakaliki to Mfum Highway.
The 375Km Abuja to Kano that is now under construction is Nigeria’s major part of the Trans African Highway No. 2; Algiers to Lagos.
Apart from these Trans African connections, we are rebuilding, expanding or replacing strategic Highways and Bridges across our country.
The Apapa-Oworonshoki Highway in Lagos is strategic for trade and business facilitation to support our busiest and largest Sea Port in Apapa and Tin Can Island.
The Suleja-Minna Highway is critical to our petroleum distribution network and access to strategic petroleum products Depot in Niger State; and it is receiving attention, while the Calabar-Itu-Odukpani unlocks access to agricultural produce and supports mining and extractive activities for construction, in the South South and South East of Nigeria.
Ladies and Gentlemen, these are only examples of over 13,000Km of Road and Bridge construction, expansion and rehabilitation nationwide.
They have been a major boost for the growth of our economy, keeping people at work; driving a supply value chain, stimulating productivity at Quarries, Cement Factories, Steel Factories, and the Petroleum sectors for lubricants, fuel and bitumen.
Our most recent GDP results of 3.40%, the biggest in the last 7 years clearly show that the construction sub-sectors and related sub-sectors of the economy were among the big performers of the growth surge.
Very evidently, infrastructure investment is good for the economy.
By building Roads, we are building Economies.
The founding vision of African Leaders is coming to fruition, Evidence of the African Renaissance is being showed today in Nigeria.
The Trophee Babacar Ndiaye 2022 at the 7th Edition of Africa Road Builders symbolizes this Renaissance.
On behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I accept the Africa Road Builders Award for the Hope, Prosperity and Progress that it symbolizes.
State House
Abuja
Speech By The Hon. Minister Of Works And Housing Represented By The Director Public Building & Housing Development, Arc. Solomon Labafilo At The Commissioning Of The National Housing Programme In Imostate On 31st March, 2022.
On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria and President MuhammaduBuhari, I bring glad tidings and best wishes to the people and Government of ImoState.
We gather together to harvest the fruit of our investment and to commemorate the completion of the National Housing Programme’s Pilot in Imo State.
As we head towards the end of President MuhammaduBuhari’s tenure of office, I am happy to also say that we enter a season of completion when many projects such as this begin to bear fruit.
In 34 States of Nigeria, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works and Housing, has delivered projects like this with the support of the State Governors who provided the land.
Today in Imo State at Along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, we have completed and we are handing over 68-units of Housing comprising, 24-units in condominium (1 bedroom-4, 2bedroom-16, 3 bedroom-4), 28-units 2 (TWO) Bedroom and 16-units 3 (THREE) Bedroom bungalows.
There are many things to be said about this project, from its design to the Economic impact and the social impact on this community.
In terms of design, this project is the outcome of a national survey conducted by the Ministry of Works and Housing to find out the type of houses Nigerians desired.
The survey revealed a prevalent need for bungalows in the North of Nigeria and flats in the South of Nigeria.
The survey also revealed the need for space such that our houses have one-bedroom units of 60-70 sq. metres, Two-bedroom units of 76 – 103 sq. metres and Three Bedroom Units 110 – 137 of sq. metres. These are extremely generous spaces compared to what is commonly available in the market.
This certainly ensures that the product that is delivered is acceptable to those it is intended for, while it is competitive in the market.
We have offered all these housing units to members of the general public in a non-discriminatory way by opening the National Housing Portal at https://nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng/ to ensure that those interested are not inhibited by any artificial obstacles and allocations will be made on the basis of those who apply and pay on a first come, first served basis.
While we welcome those who can afford to pay outright, it is not a condition for eligibility and we have offered flexible payment options like mortgages and rent to own which we encourage applicants to pursue.
The story of these housing projects which are now visible and available in 34 States of Nigeria would be incomplete without the efforts of many Nigerians who contributed to its delivery.
To members of the private sector, especially Architects who volunteered their time to work with Architects and other staff of our Ministry at the conception stage to advise on the design, I thank you for your contribution to Nation building.
To my colleagues in the Federal Executive Council who supported this idea and approved the initiative; your votes have birthed fruits of development and impacted lives.
To the legislators in the 8th and 9th National Assembly and members of the Senate and House Committees on Housing, who questioned, challenged and supported us with year-on-year appropriation and undertook oversight visits to monitor progress, I believe your constituents can see from these houses, some evidence of your representation.
To our contractors, suppliers and all those employed in the building process, I thank you for contributing to nation building.
I will now conclude by inviting Mr. President to conduct the commissioning and handing over of this estate.
Thank you for your attention.
Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Works and Housing
Welcome Address By The Ag. Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry Of Works And Housing, Engr. C.O Uzo Represented By Director Highways (South-East), Arc. Iquo Lucy Uzodinma At The Commissioning Of The National Housing Programme In Imo State On Thursday, 31st March, 2022.
Protocols
1. It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to this significant event in the affairs of our National life. I welcome all the eminent and distinguished invited guests to the occasion of the commissioning of the first phase of the National Housing Programme Initiative.
2. On behalf of the Honourable Minister Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, Directors and Head of Units, Federal Ministry of Works & Housing, I welcome all distinguished invited Guests, the Royal Fathers and the entire people of Imo State to this event.
3. As part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s developmental agenda of addressing Housing needs in Nigeria, the Federal Government inaugurated a pragmatic National Housing Programme (NHP) for the construction of acceptable and affordable houses nationwide. The first phase of the programme commenced in the 2016, in 34 States and FCT.
4. The National Housing Programme is being implemented by the Ministry of Works and Housing, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN. It is a Programme borne out of the present Government's desire to provide affordable housing for its citizenry.
5. Further to the above, the Ministry is promoting local content in line with the Executive Orders 3 and 5. The use of available local building materials in the National Housing Programme (NHP) has stimulated the economy through the production and use of the materials. The overall economic value chain arising from the housing construction activities is mostly beneficial to the Nigerian youths.
6. The Ministry has successfully constructed housing schemes under this Programme in 35 States, except for Lagos State where land has not been donated by the state government for the programme. The housing types currently available comprise of 1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom and 3 Bedroom semi-detached bungalows and condominiums. The Philosophy behind the National Housing Programme is the provision of pilot scheme that is affordable, accessible and acceptable as contained in the National Housing Policy. The approach to the design and use of materials take cognizance of the cultural and climatic peculiarities of the regions while responding also to the tenets of the Building Energy and Efficiency Code (BEEC) being championed by the Ministry.
7. For the benefit of Nigerian on this initiative, over 1,200 building contractors have been engaged under phases I, II and III of the programme since the inception in 2016 and over 14,500 and 50,140 direct and indirect jobs have been created. During this period, the Ministry is undertaking the construction of over 6,000 housing units in 45 sites, out of which 2,465 units have been completed in 35 States and FCT.
8. At this juncture, I welcome you all once again to the commissioning of this laudable initiative in Imo State.
Thank you and God bless you.
Speech By The Hon. Minister Of Works And Housing At The Commissioning Of The National Housing Programme In Delta State On Thursday,10th March, 2022.
On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari, I bring glad tidings and best wishes to the people and Government of Delta State.
We gather together to harvest the fruit of our investment and to commemorate the completion of the National Housing Programme’s Pilot in Delta State.
As we head towards the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure of office, I am happy to also say that we enter a season of completion when many projects such as this begin to bear fruit.
In 34 States of Nigeria, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works and Housing, has delivered projects like this with the support of the State Governors who provided the land.
Today in Delta State at Issele Azagba, Aniocha North LGA, we have completed and we are handing over 68-units of Housing comprising, 24-units in condominium (1 bedroom-4, 2bedroom-16, 3 bedroom-4), 28-units 2 (TWO) Bedroom and 16-units 3 (THREE) Bedroom bungalows.
There are many things to be said about this project, from its design to the Economic impact and the social impact on this community.
In terms of design, this project is the outcome of a national survey conducted by the Ministry of Works and Housing to find out the type of houses Nigerians desired.
The survey revealed a prevalent need for bungalows in the North of Nigeria and flats in the South of Nigeria.
The survey also revealed the need for space such that our houses have one-bedroom units of 60-70 sq. metres, Two-bedroom units of 76 – 103 sq. metres and Three Bedroom Units 110 – 137 of sq. metres. These are extremely generous spaces compared to what is commonly available in the market.
This certainly ensures that the product that is delivered is acceptable to those it is intended for, while it is competitive in the market.
We have offered all these housing units to members of the general public in a non-discriminatory way by opening the National Housing Portal at https://nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng/ to ensure that those interested are not inhibited by any artificial obstacles and allocations will be made on the basis of those who apply and pay on a first come, first served basis.
While we welcome those who can afford to pay outright, it is not a condition for eligibility and we have offered flexible payment options like mortgages and rent to own which we encourage applicants to pursue.
The story of these housing projects which are now visible and available in 34 States of Nigeria would be incomplete without the efforts of many Nigerians who contributed to its delivery.
To members of the private sector, especially Architects who volunteered their time to work with Architects and other staff of our Ministry at the conception stage to advise on the design, I thank you for your contribution to Nation building.
To my colleagues in the Federal Executive Council who supported this idea and approved the initiative; your votes have birthed fruits of development and impacted lives.
To the legislators in the 8th and 9th National Assembly and members of the Senate and House Committees on Housing, who questioned, challenged and supported us with year-on-year appropriation and undertook oversight visits to monitor progress, I believe your constituents can see from these houses, some evidence of your representation.
To our contractors, suppliers and all those employed in the building process, I thank you for contributing to nation building.
I will now conclude by inviting Mr. President to conduct the commissioning and handing over of this estate.
Thank you for your attention.
FASHOLA, SAMBO INAUGURATE THE NEWLY APPOINTED BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT OF FEDERAL MORTGAGE BANK OF NIGERIA (FMBN) IN ABUJA
Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN(4th right),Minister of State in the Ministry , Mr. Mu'azu Jaji Sambo (5th left), Ag.Permanent Secretary, Engr. Chukwunwike Uzo,(2nd right), Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria(FMBN), Mr Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi(3rd right), the newly sworn in CEO/ Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria(FMBN), Mr Hamman Madu(5th right), a member of the Board and Head, PPP Unit of the Ministry, Mrs Abimbola Asein (left) and others in a group photograph shortly after the inauguration of the newly appointed Board of Directors and Executive Management of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) at the Ministry of Works and Housing Headquarters, Mabushi, Abuja on Thursday 21st April 2022.
L-R, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF WORKS AND HOUSING, DIRECTOR PUBLIC BUILDING AND HOUSING DEV. ARCH SOLOMON LABAFILO; REP. OF MR. PRESIDENT HONOURABLE MINISTER OF STATE WORKS AND HOUSING, MU'AZU JAJI SAMBO, SECRETARY TO THE TARABA STATE GOVT, HON. ANTHONY JELLASI, REP. OF APC CHAIRMAN, TARABA STATE, HON. UMAR DAIHIRU DORO AND THE EMIR OF MURITHE COMMISSIONING OF THE NATIONAL HOUSING PROGRAMME (MUHAMMADU BUHARI HOUSING ESTATE) IN TARABA STATE.
L-R, Representative of the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Director Public Building and Housing Dev. Arch Solomon Labafilo; Rep. of Mr. President Honourable Minister of State Works and Housing, Mu'azu Jaji Sambo, Secretary to the Taraba State Govt, Hon. Anthony Jellasi, Rep. of APC Chairman, Taraba State, Hon. Umar Daihiru Doro and the Emir of Muri, HRH Alhaji Abass Njidda Tafida during the Commissioning of the National Housing Programme (Muhammadu Buhari Housing Estate) in Taraba State.