Kebbi and Jigawa States Governors, Senator Abubakar Atiku and Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, Friday, in Birnin Kebbi, performed the ground breaking ceremony for the Constucrion of five thousand houses.
Bagudu disclosed that the houses are to be distributed free to the beneficiaries, especially low income earners.
The houses are to be built under a robust partnership between Kebbi State Government and the African Nations Development Programme (ANDP).
While the Kebbi State Government will provide the expansive land needed for the project, the Prorgramme will provide the funding for the project.
Speaking at the event, Bagudu said that, the houses will be built in Argungu, Gwandu , Jega and Yauri Emirates.
The governor while underscoring the importance of housing in the society, also stated that, 21,000 plots of land will be provided to the people of the state.
This, he explained that, the gesture was to enable the cross section of the people of the state to own their houses.
The Kebbi Governor further disclosed that, the provision of affordable housing was part of the campaign promises of the APC.
He expressed delight that, in spite of the prevailing economic challenges, occasioned by raging global Coronavirus Disease pandemic, a lot of physical and social infrastructure had been put in place across the country .
According to Bagudu, this was sequel to the ingenunity, patriotism and commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari .
Bagudu also described the event as a very important milestone in the history of Kebbi state,just as he happily noted that, all the contractors are indigenous and competent.
He said: ” Priorities will be given to first time house owners , just as the demand for houses was increasing in the state, sequel to the increased income of the people of the state.
” The devastation caused by the recent flood disasters across the state had also increased the demand for houses, in Sha Allahu, we will try our best .
” The demands for houses by both the low and high income earners will be met equitably by the state government.”
While noting that, housing deficit was a global problem, Bagudu said that,the project will greatly bridge the existing wide gap between the haves and have nots .
Jigawa Governor, Badaru Abubakar,described his Kebbi colleage as workaholic, saying ,” apart from being the Sarkin Noma of Nigeria, I will also crowned you as the Sarkin Gidajen Talakawa.”
The Jigawa Governor also extolled the crucial roles Bagudu was playing in national development, in politics, agriculture and other sectors .
The Director General of ANDP, Dr. Samson Omojuyigbe, and the Country Director Jimoh Kazeem , in separate response, said that, the project will further alleviate the suffering of the people of the state, especially the vulnerable ones.
According to the DG,apart from reducing the housing deficit in the state, the project will further make life more comfortable for the people of the state.
He explained that the project also involve construction of schools, police stations, clinics as well as regular water and power supply.
On his part, the Country Director, Mr.Jimoh Kazeem announced that ANDP would also provide training on skills acquisition to youths in the state and encourage them to engage in agriculture as an occupation.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa told the gathering that governor Bagudu has also approved the allocation of twenty one thausand plots of lands to indigenes of the state.
He also stated that approval has been given for the construction of two thausand houses under the family home scheme which will take off soon while members of NLC and TUC would receive long package from the Federal Mortgage Bank to build houses of their own.
Yelwa also said that governor Bagudu has approved the establishment of Kebbi State Geagraphic Information System and the appointment of a Director to head the agency with a view to facilitating the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy and other land deeds.
Highlight of the occasion was the foundation stone laying ceremony, unvieling of plaque and the cutting of tape to Flagg off the construction of the two bedroom bungalows by governor Atiku Bagudu.
