Govt, FHA launch ‘Diaspora Smart City’ in Abuja

To increase Nigeria’s diaspora remittances, which continued its upward trend in the first quarter, ’22, rising by 20.3 per cent, Year-on-Year, YoY, to $5.16bn,the Federal Government has launched a new housing scheme, known as ‘Diaspora Smart City’ in Kabusu District of Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.

Under the scheme over 17,000 housing units will be constructed in two districts. The project will have six zones, made up of neighbourhoods, using many deliveries, such as public private partnership to deliver houses to the prospective buyers, especially Nigerians in Diaspora.

Minister of State for Works and Housing, Umar El-Yakub, who revealed this during an inspection tour of the proposed Smart City, called on the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to construct a dual carriage road to the site to open up the area.

El-Yakub explained that the project was conceived to encourage Nigerians abroad to invest in real estate to grow the economy, saying, planning and certification of the model city are in place, while partnership will be sorted out.

Also speaking, FHA Managing Director, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, stated that they are working with the Federal Capital Development Administration for the take off of the project, adding, “we have settled the community by paying their compensation.”

Ashafa said town planners are working towards inaugurating the city, saying, we have learned lessons from the past mistakes and we are going back to the drawing board to ensure that work commences as planned.

On his part, General Manager, Planning and Survey, Eyong Ibor, thanked the Minister for finding time to inspect the project, promising that all the observations made, especially, the 11 kilometres road to the city would be implemented.