New Telegraph 
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno has pledged full support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) on housing.
This was made known on Thursday, May 2, 2024, when the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Hon Oladimeji Oyetunde Ojo paid a visit to the state.
The Governor who in an unprecedented manner handed over an allocation letter and survey plan of 50.3 hectares of land in Uyo to FHA for the Renewed Hope Housing programme, commended the Authority’s management under the leadership of Hon Oyetunde Ojo for adopting a policy of consulting with the state governments before embarking on any project.
Governor Eno frowned at the idea of some agencies coming into states and doing work without consulting the states who are the major Stakeholders and said he wishes they could emulate the inclusivity disposition of FHA management.
He noted that his government has not done any project in the State without engaging the Stakeholders.
He said, “We watch as your management travels to engage State governments. There is no project we have done in Akwa Ibom without engaging with the Stakeholders. We wish other agencies will emulate you.”
Earlier, Hon Ojo had informed the Governor that the reason for the visit was for the Authority’s new management to pay him a courtesy visit and to bring President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on Housing to the state.
The FHA CEO noted that Akwa Ibom is the 15th state his Management would be visiting in about three weeks, and stated that the reason for the visits is to consult with the state Governors who are the custodians of lands in their various states.
“Hon Ojo pointed out that it is needless to embark on housing projects without having the input of the people whom the houses are built for.
“He said consulting with the Stakeholders makes the people take ownership of such projects and reduces the incidents of such houses not being taken on completion.
He therefore told the governor that FHA has come to ask for land. According to him, ” … we have come to request for land to develop Mass Housing for the people of the state. We are not going to speculate on the land”
The FHA boss said that the Authority would partner with the government in coming up with designs that would suite the people, rather than imposing one on them. He noted that FHA is known for developing cities within cities, citing Festac Town, Lagos and Gwarinpa in Abuja as examples.
On the affordability of the houses, as mandated by Mr President, Hon Ojo said FHA has come up with such delivery models as carcass, where only the exterior will have a prototype finishing, then plumbing and electricals because of their sensitive nature, leaving the allottees to do the rest finishing according to their individual taste and capacity.
He also said such other models as studios would be targeting the younger ones, who are starting live.
The MD told the governor that FHA is planning Diaspora cities across the states for the benefit of our people outside the country. He hinted that the Authority launched its digitalisation drive on the 1st of May, 2024 a feature that will help in the Diaspora initiative.
He finally requested the state government to assist in getting off-takers and helping in reducing some of the bottlenecks in developing the houses which would definitely help in reducing the cost of the houses.
He noted that the value chain of construction and Housing development has been a major tool in fighting inflation all over the world and as such would be of great benefit to the state.
Hon Ojo noted that the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda is non-political but all about Nigerians in the directives of Mr President. He stated that President Tinubu has put politics aside and is determined to work for the good of all Nigerians irrespective of political affiliation or tribe.
