The Federal Government has expressed optimism about the future of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, stressing the importance of quality construction and adherence to the highest standards of construction.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, who spoke at the launch of the 250 housing units under the Renewed Hope Estate, Oyo State, warned that the government would not tolerate substandard work and would use legal means to ensure that contractors deliver their contracts.

“We are confident that this programme will make a lasting impact on the lives of Nigerians and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that every person has access to quality housing, no matter their circumstances,” he said.

According to the minister, the event held at the Egbeda local council completes the second leg of the groundbreaking for 2,000 units across eight states in the South and North Central.

He said the housing projects were designed to be affordable for individuals and families with a stable source of income. The estate in Oyo State includes a mix of one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows.

The minister emphasised the flexibility of the design, which allows for future expansion as the owner’s financial situation improves or their family grows. “This estate represents our commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian has access to quality housing, regardless of their financial situation. We are dedicated to delivering on this promise and working with the people of Oyo State to make this vision a reality.”

Earlier, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Tijjani Gwarzo, lauded the programme, which is aimed at turning the country into a huge construction site and unlocking the power of the housing sector to create jobs, boost economic development, and contribute to the country’s goal of building a $1 trillion economy.

The minister expressed confidence that the project would create job opportunities during the construction phase for various skilled workers and emphasised the importance of quality construction work and timely completion of the project.

In his remarks, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, represented by the State’s Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Williams Akin-Funmilayo, who performed the turning of the sod, said the Federal Government’s initiative would reduce the housing deficit in the state.

The Commissioner urged the Federal Government not to limit the housing initiative to Ibadan but expand to other zones of the state, which he said have been linked with good road networks.

He assured the Federal Government of the state’s support in ensuring the completion of the project within the stipulated period and hinted that the Seyi Makinde administration is embarking on ten housing projects in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) to address housing deficits in the state.

A representative of the project handlers, Bluesea Investment Limited, Madaki Simpa, assured that the project will be completed within the stipulated period with the highest quality standard. According to him, the housing estate is sitting on 30 hectares of land out of which 17.2 hectares will be utilised for the project.