The federal government says it has created no fewer than 252,800 jobs for skilled and unskilled workers through investment in housing projects under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, stated this on Thursday while delivering his speech at the 13th National Council on Lands Housing and Urban Development meeting holding in Gombe.
Dangiwa said housing investment had positively impacted on economic growth, job creation, and poverty alleviation.
According to him, under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, there are constructions underway at 14 sites, comprising a total of 10,112 housing units.
He said the project includes 250-unit Renewed Hope Estates with 1, 2, and 3-bedroom semi-detached bungalows in Yobe, Gombe, Nasarawa, Benue, Sokoto, Katsina, Abia, Ebonyi, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states.
He added that there is also an ongoing work at the 3,112-unit Renewed Hope City in the FCT, the 2,000-unit Renewed Hope City in Kano, and another 2,000-unit Renewed Hope City in Lagos.
He said a significant number of these units were at the roofing stage, nearing completion and inauguration.
“Constructing the 10,112 units underway nationwide has created over 252,800 jobs for skilled and unskilled workers, with an average of 25 jobs per home.
“Workers, such as plumbers, masons, and labourers, earn an average of about N150, 000 per month with a daily wage of N5, 000, in addition to economic activities around the sites,” he said.
The minister said the Tinubu’s administration had prioritised investments in the housing sector towards tackling the housing deficit in the country and ensuring affordable houses for all Nigerians.
On his part, Governor Inuwa of Gombe state said housing and urban development were the cornerstone of sustainable socio-economic development for any nation.
Yahaya said with the housing deficit in the country, resources must be mobilised at all levels to provide affordable, safe, and climate-resilient houses that remain essential for the social and economic well-being of the people.
He commended President Tinubu for launching the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, aimed at constructing 100,000 housing units over the next three years.
The governor described the move as a proof of President Tinubu’s dedication to addressing the housing gap, adding that such initiative was being complemented by his administration in the state.