50,000 housing scheme to create 1.2m jobs – Dangiwa

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has said that the planned 50,000 housing units under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme nationwide is targeted at generating over 1.2 million direct and indirect jobs in the country.

The minister stated this at the 2024 Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN) conference in Abuja, adding that the federal government has commenced groundbreaking activities in some states.

“The construction and development of these new areas will generate employment opportunities, stimulate local businesses, and attract investments. The 50,000 units that we plan to deliver under phase 1 will create 1,250,000 direct and indirect construction jobs for architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, surveyors, masons, bricklayers, electricians, plumbers, iron benders etc.

“So far, we have done groundbreaking for two Renewed Hope Cities under public and private sector (FCT and Kano), and Renewed Hope Estates in 12 states (Ebonyi, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Osun, Benue, Nasarawa, Oyo, Katsina, Yobe, Gombe and Sokoto) making a total of 6,612 homes,” he added.

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In his remarks, the President of QSRBN, Obafemi Onashile, said one of the major challenges was the absence of patronage and commissioning of its members in government projects.

He added that “The board chose the theme for this year’s annual assembly to showcase the capacity and capabilities in contributing to the economy, and for the government to understand this, and ensure that they get the board to adequately contribute.