FG begins construction of medium-cost homes in Ibadan

The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has commenced construction of low
and medium cost homes in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The buildings will sit on 1000 hectares of land set aside as Ajoda New
Town along Ibadan-Ife expressway. The cheapest flat in the estate will
cost a little over N4 million according to a building partner Dr Mike
Anjorin.

In a chat with The Nation after a familiarisation tour of the project,
the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, FHA, Sen. Gbenga
Ashafa, said the housing scheme was aimed at providing affordable
homes for Nigerians as part of the promise of the President Muhammadu
Buhari administration.

Ashafa, who was accompanied by some FHA directors, said the builders
were doing due diligence before erecting the buildings in line with
the standards of FHA.

He described Ajoda New Town project as a “work-in-progress,” pointing
out that the estate is open to all Nigerians regardless of wherever
they live.

He said “What the Federal Government through the National Housing
Scheme (NHS) has done is to get some Nigerian developers to put in
their expression of interest. We gave them the land to build. With
that, we became partners. And then through the quantities, they
determine the terrain of the land.

“They have said that there are some portions of the land which used to
be dump sites. This shows the thoroughness of our approach. When we
are about to undertake a project, we do the needful by looking at the
soil type. Our engineers will design. In this case, the houses built
so far have reinforced foundation.

“We are partnering with the Oyo State Government. We have requested
the governor to please intervene in the area of the major road in the
community. If it is expanded and tarred it will open up the estate.
The road will also extend to the police formation. All those informed
the sense in choosing this location.

“The security of our people is germane to us. The bottom-line as far
as President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister Babatunde Fashola are
concerned is that the final product must be affordable to an average
Nigerian.

“I have gone through the project and I have seen that the amount being
quoted is affordable to the middle and upper low income earners. When
you compare that to what you get outside, you will know that this
government is trying.”

Anjorin, who is the Managing Director, Woodston Engineering &
Construction Ltd., explained that the project would be delivered in 24
months.

His company is one of the building partners to the FHA on the project.
It has delivered some samples.

A total of 868 flats will be built in the estate including social
housing. Cost of buildings includes all social amenities.

Ashafa revealed the building partners will be supported by the Family
Homes Fund and one other mortgage bank to ease funding challenge for
the building partners.

According to him, similar projects are in Osogbo, Abeokuta, Ota, Abuja
and other parts of the country.