***Allocates 100-hectare land
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
GOVERNOR Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi has given directive for the immediate commencement of work on the proposed 1000-unit Housing estate under the Renewed Hope Housing Project in the state.
The governor also said that he has allocated a 100-hectare land to the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) for the project.
Ododo disclosed this when he received the Management of Federal Housing Authority (FHA) led by the Managing Director, Hon. Ayotunde Ojo who was on a working visit to Lokoja, the state capital on Wednesday.
The Governor who hinted that full compensation for the allocated 100-hectare land had been paid noted that the meeting with the Management of FHA was aimed at finalizing preparations for the implementation of the Renewed Hope Housing Project in the state.
Ododo added that the directive was a further demonstration of the resolve of his administration to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Governor reiterated the determination of his administration to ensure that Kogi enjoyed her fair share of efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the housing deficit in Nigeria with the Renewed Hope Housing Project.
He said Kogi was critical to the actualisation of Federal Government policy to provide affordable housing for the Nigerian populace under the Renewed Hope Agenda in view of the strategic location of the state.
“As a state that borders nine other states and the FCT, our population growth and the effect of urbanization and migration to the state from neighbouring states and the FCT for social and economic reasons has significantly impacted housing needs in Kogi State.
“It will be the most strategic choice for the FHA through the Renewed Hope Housing Project of Mr President to consider Kogi State as a prime location for the Renewed Hope City.
“Kogi State is hereby allocating 100 hectares of land to the Federal Housing Authority to commence the building of the Renewed Hope City with full compensation paid by the government,” Governor Ododo said.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding Kogi State worthy of consideration for the Renewed Hope Housing Project.
Ododo stressed that construction of the Renewed Hope City in Kogi State is in line with his campaign promise to make Kogi state open for business and by expanding housing development beyond the 16 kilometer radius of the state capital master plan.
The Governor assured the FHA of all the support required to ensure successful implementation of the Renewed Hope City in the state.
In his welcome remarks, the state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Taiye Abanika applauded Management of the Federal Housing Authority for the working visit.
He said that the visit would serve as an impetus for the state to key into the Renewed Hope Housing Project aimed at enhancing access to affordable housing by all Nigerians particularly the people of Kogi State.
In his remarks, Hon. Ayotunde Ojo, Managing Director of the Authority, described his visit to Kogi state as home coming in view of his ancestral connection with the state capital.
He commended Governor Ododo for the bold initiatives by according priorities to the welfare of workers and ensuring security of lives and property in the state.
The MD assured that the organization would mobilize resources to commence the construction of the Renewed Hope City in the state as soon as possible.
The Kogi State Renewed Hope City under the Renewed Hope Housing Project of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is to be located on a 100 hectares of land, off the Lokoja-Okene road in Zariagi. (Ends)