By ANGELA ATABO

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has inaugurated the Ministerial Committee on Technical Assessment, Completion Planning, and Disposal Strategy for 753-units Housing Estate.

Dangiwa while inaugurating the committee, on Monday in Abuja, said the estate was recently recovered and handed over to the Ministry by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He commended the EFCC for the critical intervention which has now created a unique opportunity for the Federal Government to convert what was once a symbol of public sector inefficiency and abuse into a beacon of public service and national renewal.

?In line with the vision of the President and the housing reform drive of our Ministry, this Committee has been constituted to ensure that the recovered property is quickly transformed into liveable, secure, and affordable homes for the benefit of Nigerians.

?This is not just another government assignment. It is a mission to deliver value, hope and homes.

?I therefore, carefully approved the constitution of this high-level Ministerial Committee made up of Management Staff and strategic officers drawn from key departments of the Ministry.

?They are to ensure we bring to bear the highest level of technical competence, integrity, and urgency,? he said.

Dangiwa said the Committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and supported by Directors and Special Advisers, were selected because of the confidence the Ministry has in their capacity to drive the initiative with the seriousness and efficiency it demands.

He said the terms of reference for the Committee included: to conduct a thorough structural and integrity test of the buildings; to ascertain the number and status of the housing units; and to evaluate the value of existing work done through proper surveying and market valuation.

He added that the committee would assess the cost of completing internal roads, power, water, security infrastructure, public amenities and develop standardised architectural and finishing guides for consistency and quality assurance.

The minister said the committee would also propose a clear, transparent, and inclusive strategy for the disposal and allocation of the housing units, prioritizing special government needs, affordability, equity, and public access through the Renewed Hope Housing Portal.

He said they would also design a robust communication and public engagement plan that builds public confidence and ensure inter-agency coordination with stakeholders like EFCC, FCTA, and utility providers.

Dangiwa urged them to submit a preliminary report within four weeks from today.

?Let me state unequivocally that Nigerians are watching. They want to see results. They want to see homes built and allocated transparently. They want to see government working for them.

?This recovered estate must serve as a reference point of what is possible when public institutions work in synergy for the people.

?I charge you all to approach this assignment with urgency, dedication, and integrity. Work as a team. Eliminate bureaucracy. Think outside the box. Be result-oriented. And let us deliver a completed housing estate,? he said.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Chairman of the Committee and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, pledged to carry out the duty with transparency and diligence.

Belgore said the successful execution of the assignment would serve as a model for converting recovered public assets into impactful infrastructure that directly benefits the people. (NAN)

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