Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi has directed the immediate commencement of work at the proposed 1,000 housing units under the Renewed Hope Housing project.

Mr Ododo gave the order on Wednesday while playing host to the management of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), led by its managing director, Ayotunde Ojo, on a working visit to Lokoja.

The governor expressed joy over the meeting which aimed at finalising preparations for the implementation of the Renewed Hope Housing project in the state.

“This meeting is a demonstration of the resolve of my administration to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“Therefore, meeting with the management of the Federal Housing Authority today is very timely in view of the determination of my administration to ensure that Kogi enjoys her fair share of the president’s benevolence in addressing the housing deficit in Nigeria with the Renewed Hope Housing project,” he said.

He commended the efforts made by the previous state government to address housing deficit in the state.

According to him, Kogi is critical to the actualisation of federal government’s policy to provide affordable housing for the Nigerian populace under the Renewed Hope Agenda in view of the strategic location of the state.

“As a state that borders nine other states and the FCT, our population growth and the effect of urbanisation and migration to the state from neighbouring states, and the FCT for social and economic reasons has significantly impacted housing needs in Kogi State.

“It will be the most strategic choice for the FHA through the Renewed Hope Housing project of Mr President to consider Kogi State as a prime location for the Renewed Hope City.

“Kogi State is hereby allocating 100 hectares of land to the Federal Housing Authority to commence the building of the Renewed Hope City with full compensation paid by the government,” he said.

The governor said that the construction of the Renewed Hope City in Kogi was in line with his campaign promise to open the state to business and expand housing development beyond the 16-kilometre radius of the state capital master plan.

He, however, assured the FHA of all the support required to ensure successful implementation of the Renewed Hope City in the state.

Earlier, the commissioner for housing and urban development, Taiye Abanika, said the working visit by the FHA management would serve as an impetus for the state to key into the Renewed Hope Housing project and enhance access to affordable housing by the people of Kogi.

Also speaking, Mr Ojo described his visit to Kogi as a homecoming due to his ancestral connection with the state capital.

Mr Ojo commended Mr Ododo for his bold initiatives, which prioritised the welfare of workers and ensured the security of lives and property in the state.

He assured that the authority would mobilise resources to commence the construction of the houses in the state as soon as possible.

The Kogi Renewed Hope City is to be located on 100 hectares of land off the Lokoja – Okene road in Zariagi.

(NAN)