By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Former Head of State General Yakubu Jack Gowon has commended his predecessors in office for sustaining some of his legacies including the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) which was established in 1973 by his administration to cater for the housing needs of the middle and low income earners especially the civil servants.
This is even as FHA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Senator Gbenga Ashafa has tasked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly (NASS) to help in the speedy process of the ammendment of the Authority’s enabling Act to enhance the operational capacity of FHA.
Gowon who spoke as the Special Guest at the FHA 50th Anniversary Celebration Symposium at International Conference Centre (ICC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja on Thursday said it is very gratifying for him to witness the Golden Jubilee of FHA, one of the iconic agencies created by the federal government in 1973 under his watch.
According to Gowon it is a thing of joy to know that a government agency is still waxing stronger after 50 years of establishment, saying that the occasion gives an opportunity to reflect on the journey so far and also project into the future as a nation.
Said he: “I am highly privileged to receive the invitation to attend the FHA 50th Anniversary Celebration, a key milestone developed by my administration in the 1970s in line with my 3R (Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction) Policy which was introduced immediately after the unfortunate civil war.
“In deed, the occasion gives us the opportunity to reflect on the journey to nationhood. I am happy that FHA was established during my administration and the Authority has continued to wax stronger despite the challenges it has faced”.
The former Nigeria leader however said it is his hope that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government will through its Renewed Hope Agenda improve on the foundation laid by his administration just as he commended past military and civilian regimes that have sustained the growth of FHA.
Gowon also commended FHA for reaching 50 years as an agency, stressing that from the event brochure he has seen, the present FHA management team is doing very well and congratulated them for the 50th Anniversary Celebration.
Also speaking at the occasion the Minister of Housing and Urban Development Ahmed Musa Dangiwa who represented President Tinubu said FHA has not done well in the delivery of houses and therefore should use the next 50 years to deliver more houses to Nigerians.
Said under the Renewed Hope Agenda of Tinubu, he wants to see FHA wakes up to its responsibilities just as he demanded that in the next 50 years, FHA must deliver millions of houses to Nigerians especially the middle and low income earners, pointing out that affordable houses are fundamental rights of Nigerians.
The Minister therefore tasked FHA to build many houses, sell them and make profits.
Earlier in his Welcome Speech, FHA MD/CEO reeled out the successes achieved by the Authority in 50 years despite the mounting challenges FHA faced include operating an obsolete Act, which he said constrains the Authority’s business drive: limits borrowing capacity, lack power to put erring allottes to check and no provision for service charges to maintain the estates.
Ashafa lamented that with most of the houses under mortgage, FHA quickly ran into financial crisis which was compounded by various policies of of the numerous government it has witnessed, adding that it came to a head when the Authority was removed from receiving federal government subvention. READ ALSO:
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The former Senator representing Lagos East however applauded all the management that have overseen the affairs of FHA for their managerial ingenuity which he said ensured the Authority did not down while praising the present management under his watch for turning FHA around especially by digitalising the operations of the agency in line with Information Communication Technology (ICT) age.
Ashafa also expressed management’s gratitude to President Tinubu “for his clear Blue print in the Housing industry by giving Nigerians a separate Ministry of Housing”, insisting that with core professionals appointed into the ministry, FHA will be in a good position now to deliver on its mandate.
“By appointing a very competent professional in Housing Financing in person of Arch Ahmed Musa Dangiwa as the Minister, supported by Abdullahi Gwarzo as Minister of State, and with the proposed construction of Renewed Hope Estates; a people-oriented Housing Programme in some selected states of Nigeria through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development; which we are confident that FHA with its array of experienced professionals will participate in, Mr. President has demonstrated his willingness to tackle our nation’s lingering Housing challenges”, Ashafa said.
He however appealed to President Tinubu and the leadership of NASS to rally round and help FHA in the speedy process of the ammendment of the Authority’s enabling Act, adding that “Our management has started the process, and hope that the earliest ammendment would enhance our operational capacity”.
