The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, on Monday inaugurated a 12-member ministerial committee to manage a 753-unit housing estate in Lokogoma, Abuja, recently recovered from former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele. The estate was handed over to the Ministry by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
During the inauguration, Dangiwa described the project as a pivotal step in advancing the housing component of the Renewed Hope Agenda. “The committee was constituted based on the vision of Mr. President and the Ministry’s housing reform drive to ensure that the recovered property is swiftly transformed into liveable, secure, and affordable homes for the benefit of Nigerians,” he stated, emphasizing the need for technical expertise and transparency.
The committee, chaired by Permanent Secretary Shuaib Belgore, comprises senior directors and aides from the Ministry’s technical, financial, engineering, planning, procurement, and media departments. Its Terms of Reference include conducting a structural and integrity assessment of the buildings, evaluating the condition of the housing units, and determining the costs to complete essential infrastructure like roads, power, and water. The committee will also develop standards for architectural consistency, propose a transparent allocation strategy via the Renewed Hope Housing Portal, and create a public engagement plan to build trust.
Dangiwa urged the committee to adopt a results-oriented approach, stating, “Nigerians are watching and expect results. They want to see homes completed and allocated transparently. Think outside the box. Be results-oriented.” The committee is expected to submit a preliminary report within four weeks and will coordinate with stakeholders, including the EFCC, FCTA, and utility providers.
Minister of State Yusuf Ata highlighted the need for the committee to co-opt additional professionals to meet the tight deadline, given the project’s scale. Belgore assured that the team would execute its duties diligently, noting that the project’s success could set a benchmark for transforming recovered public assets into impactful infrastructure. “The successful execution of this assignment will serve as a model for converting recovered public assets into infrastructure that directly benefits the people,” he said.
