President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja inaugurated a N9.5 billion Zuba Housing Estate in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The president, while inaugurating the 746 housing unit estate, said it would help check multi-dimensional poverty in the country.

The N9.5 billion estate on 18.5 hectares of land consists of 16 blocks of three-bedroom flats in a block of eight apartments.

Others are 32 blocks of two-bedroom flats in a block of eight flats, 14 blocks of 1-bedroom apartments in a block of 16 flats and five blocks of terrace duplexes in four rows.

Mr Buhari said providing houses was one of the best ways to attack poverty, create prosperity and develop the economy.

He said the project was part of the government’s efforts to curb poverty and provide shelter for citizens.

He commended the chairman, managing director, members of the board and staff of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) on the successful completion of the estate.

Mr Buhari said the project was another testament to his administration’s commitment to lifting people out of poverty.

‘‘One of the measures that we have consciously deployed to attack poverty, create prosperity and develop our economy is the aggressive provision of infrastructure nationwide.

“Such investments also lead to creating employment opportunities for artisans and other skilled members of the society.”

He urged the management of FHA not to relent in delivering other projects at various stages of construction and development across the states.

The president also charged residents of the estate to consciously work together with the FHA to ensure the property’s maintenance and the environment’s safety.

Also, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said 75 contractors were engaged in the project, while over 13,000 Nigerians were employed directly and indirectly.

He thanked the president for providing leadership through his approval of appointments to the leadership of the FHA Board and management.

‘‘Instead of abandoned projects, we now have 748 completed housing units for Nigerians and their families to shelter,’’ Mr Fashola said.

The managing director, FHA, Gbenga Ashafa, described the project as a manifestation of the president’s visionary and deliberate housing policy.

(NAN)