FG, REDAN To Construct 10,000 Houses For Medical Workers
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa says the ministry is collaborating with Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) to construct 10,000 housing units for medical workers.
A statement issued on Thursday by Salisu Badamasi Haiba, Director Press and Public Relations in the housing ministry, said Dangiwa made this known when he met with the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in Abuja.
He said that the initiative was to assuage the housing needs of the medical personnel, working under challenging conditions.
“Your visit today strengthens our resolve to design housing interventions that serve our national heroes – those who dedicate their lives to saving others,” he added.
The minister appreciated the commitment and sacrifices of the medical workers in saving lives in spite of the challenging conditions they operate in.
He assured that government will continue to give priority to their well-being, including access to decent and affordable housing.
“Housing is a fundamental need that directly impacts productivity, stability, and quality of life.
“We recognise the difficulties many healthcare workers face in securing suitable accommodation, particularly in high-demand urban centers where medical facilities are concentrated.
“Addressing these challenges requires strong partnerships between the government and professional bodies like yours”, he added.
Dangiwa informed the delegation that, 10,112 housing units were currently under construction in fourteen locations across the country.
The project includes 3,112 units of Renewed Hope Cities in Karsana Abuja, 2,000 units in Lagos State, 2,000 units in Kano State, and Renewed Hope Estates of 250 units each in twelve states.
The minister assured that the housing project will be extended to the remaining 18 states in the country.
“Your members can take advantage of these housing projects to own their homes”, he told the leaders of the resident doctors.
Dangiwa explained that potential beneficiaries have options to own the houses through 30-Year National Housing Funds Mortgage Loan, a Rent-to-Own option, payment in instalment, or outright purchase.
He therefore urged the NARD president to encourage his members to apply for the Renewed Hope houses online through: http://renewedhopehomes.fmhud.gov.ng.
Earlier, the NARD National President, Dr. Tope Osundara, appreciated the minister for championing the Renewed Hope Housing project, and making NARD a beneficiary.
He appealed to the minister to assist the association to key into the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda, pointing out that it would play a significant role in forestalling the long standing issue of Nigerian doctors leaving the country.
Dr. Osundara informed that the association is proposing a 1,000 housing unit under phase one, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as a template to encourage other members of the association in states to key in.
He noted the importance of building housing units for doctors within hospital premises to ensure timely attendance to emergencies.
Also speaking, the representative of REDAN, Dr. Suleiman Abubakar Sadiq explained that the proposed medics cities for health workers would be a partnership between the Ministries of Housing and Health, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and a Public Private Partnership arrangement.
According to him, the construction of the medics cities will commence between now and February, with 10,000 housing units expected to be built across the country.
Dr. Sadiq, who is also a member of the NARD, believes that the project would enhance the welfare of healthcare workers and offer them opportunity to own safe and affordable houses, thereby boosting their morale and productivity.