SPEECH BY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI REPRESENTED BY THE HONORABLE MINSTER OF INFORMATION & CULTURE, ALH. LAI MOHAMMED AT THE COMMISSIONING OF THE NATIONAL HOUSING PROJECTS IN KWARA STATE ON FRIDAY 16TH DECEMBER, 2022
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I am extremely proud to undertake the Commissioning of this Housing Estate in Kwara State, on behalf of the Federal Government.
This is one of the projects undertaken by our Government in Phases since 2016.
When our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), sought your mandate to form the Government in 2015, one of the things we promised was change.
This housing estate is an example of the fulfillment of that promise of change.
With the support of the Kwara State Government who provided the land, this place which was once unused land, amounting to no more than idle capital, has come alive and will now provide shelter for ordinary Nigerians.
This is a good example of some of the developmental possibilities that Inter-Governmental collaboration can produce and I am optimistic that with the provision of more land, the Federal Government certainly can do more.
Of course, the progressive ideals of our government seek to achieve one primary objective, which is to IMPROVE the human condition.
This housing estate has achieved that in many ways.
The Micro, Small and Medium size businesses who drive our economy were the ones who won the contracts to build these houses. Not only did their successful bids offer an opportunity for these companies and their employees, through them we have unleashed a value chain of economic activities that improved the conditions of the ordinary Nigerians.
They engaged suppliers who benefit from sub-contracts for the supply of building materials from sand to cement, roofing and plumbing material to doors and electrical fitting.
In the process, the ordinary Nigerians at the bottom of the pyramid such as artisans, builders, skilled and unskilled workers and food vendors were not left out of this economic value chain.
These are some of the people our Country remains committed to move towards prosperity and away from poverty and we are already reaching them by providing opportunities for employment for those who were hitherto unemployed.
We certainly cannot meet every one of those Nigerians in person, but our economic policies and investment in infrastructure such as this National Housing Programme and others will reach and positively impact many of them.
Our desire and commitment towards improving the human condition and our message of change, have another facet beyond job creation.
It responds to those who have long aspired to own a home, and that dream has come true with this project.
But there is more to our message of change and improving the human condition in these housing projects.
They make possible, that which had seemed impossible.
It provides an opportunity to remember our heroes, the valiant Super Eagles to whom our Country made a promise of providing Housing for winning the 1994 African Cup of Nations, which has remained unfulfilled.
On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, I feel proud and privileged to redeem the promise Nigeria made to these patriotic Nigerians, even if belatedly.
As the saying goes, it is better late than never, and I have approved allocations to redeem the pledge made to 22 members of the Super Eagles in National Housing Estate located in their State of Choice. The handing over of their keys and title documents to the super eagles and the members of the public who have made full payment for the houses is on-going.
But the economic story of change does not end here. In the states where the houses have been completed, we have issued maintenance contracts to small businesses to ensure that the estates are maintained and kept in good repair.
These are jobs that did not exist that we have created. Of course we must not overlook the capital appreciation of the value of the adjoining land and the income benefit to the land owners from our investment in infrastructure.
Finally, I offer my appreciation to the Government and people of Kwara State for their cooperation towards the successful completion and the commissioning of a project that will help improve and promote the welfare of the people of this State.
It is therefore my honour and privilege to declare this Housing Estate completed and open for use, for the benefit of humanity.
President Muhammadu Buhari.
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