The President of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Alhaji Aliyu Oroji Wamakko has commended the appointments of the duo of Sen. Gbenga Ashafa and Hon. AbdulMumin Jibrin by President Muhammadu Buhari as Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and Executive Director, Business Development respectively by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Wamakko said that their appointments justify the present administration`s commitment to the delivery of affordable housing for all.
The REDAN president noted that Sen. Gbenga Ashafa and Hon. AbdulMumin Jibrin experience in law making will come to bear in managing the affairs of the agency which will lead to a robust housing policies implementation that will enhance housing delivery nationwide, describing their appointments as a round pegs in round holes.
He said both Sen. Ashafa, who represented Lagos East Senatorial District, and Hon. Jibrin, who was the representative for Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State comes with a lot of experiences as former legislators and public servants.
The REDAN president also commended the FHA for registering to become a member of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria. He said that a letter had been sent to the Authority to show its appreciation of their membership as well as to congratulate to the new management of FHA.
Wamakko said, “FHA has been a registered member of REDAN since 2004 and have a strong partner in progress with the association on public and private sector driven housing delivery. We are happy that the government has bestowed on Sen. Gbenga Ashafa and Hon. AbdulMumin Jibrin the responsibilities of driving the delivery of affordable housing to Nigerians based on the recommendation of the Federal Government`s Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) initiated in response to the economic challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic.
He said, “ We believe that the people chosen to pilot the affairs of the FHA in view of the urgent need to revamp the nation’s economy through the housing sector due to Covid-19 economic impact are of proven integrity as they have shown their qualities of leadership in several places. We are sure as former members of the national assembly, they will be willing to serve the interest of the people.”
The REDAN president also congratulated the chairman of the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) committee, vice president Yemi Osinbajo for his call on the private sector to take a bold step in participating fully in the federal government`s economic recovery program at this point in time.
Wamakko said that REDAN is ready and open for discussion with governments at all level to deliver the over three million housing deficit across the nation.
He added, “We are sure of creating at thousands of jobs through housing construction. Direct building of houses shouldn’t be the business of the government; rather they should provide an enabling environment and favourable policies for the private sector to do it.”
He also called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor to match word with action on his recent announcement that the apex bank was going to provide palliatives to support the housing development in order to create employment and revitalise the economy.
He said, “ Emefile made this announcement on 20th of January this year, we supposed to go out of talk shop and go on reality now to be able to curb the effect of Covid-19 now on Nigerians. The core economic effect of this Covid -19 impact will be felt within the first quarter of 2021 and we believe if nothing is done now, it is going to hit hard on all Nigerians household. For this reason, the CBN governor should do more action than talking.”