Photo caption: The seized duplexes
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, unveiled a 12-member ministerial committee to oversee activities on the seized 753 houses linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele.
The 753-housing estate was recently handed over to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, following a directive from President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement released on Monday, Dangiwa outlined the committee’s terms of reference to include conducting a thorough structural and integrity assessment of the buildings, determining the number and condition of housing units, and valuing existing work through proper surveying and market evaluation.
Additionally, the statement pointed out that the committee will assess the costs required to complete essential infrastructure such as roads, power, and water.
“It will also develop standards for architectural and finishing consistency, propose a fair and transparent strategy for disposal and allocation of units via the Renewed Hope Housing Portal, and devise a public engagement plan to build confidence,” the ministry stated.
It said the committee must ensure effective coordination with key stakeholders, including the EFCC, FCTA, and relevant utility providers. It said a preliminary report is expected within four weeks.
It emphasised the critical nature of the assignment, describing it as a key step towards realising the housing component of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The statement read, “Housing and Urban Development Minister, Ahmed Dangiwa, has inaugurated a 12-member ministerial committee on the 753-unit recovered housing estate located in the Lokogoma district, Abuja, FCT.”
He reiterated that the committee’s mandate aligns with the President’s vision and the ministry’s reform objectives to transform the estate into liveable, secure, and affordable homes for Nigerians.
Dangiwa underscored the importance of technical expertise and institutional integrity in executing the assignment, noting that committee members were selected from key departments within the ministry.
“Your selection is a testament to the confidence the ministry has in your ability to drive this initiative with the seriousness and efficiency it demands. Nigerians are watching and expect results. They want to see homes completed and allocated transparently. They want to see the government working for them,” Dangiwa emphasised.
The committee is chaired by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Shuaib Belgore, and includes senior directors and aides from the technical, financial, engineering, planning, procurement, and media departments.
The Minister of State for Housing, Yusuf Ata, emphasised the need for the committee to co-opt additional professionals as required, given the scale of the task and the tight deadline.
“The committee should have the authority to co-opt members to assist, considering the magnitude of the task and the four-week timeline,” he noted. Belgore said the team would execute its duties diligently and professionally.
He added that the success of the assignment would serve as a model for transforming recovered public assets into impactful infrastructure.
“The successful execution of this assignment will serve as a benchmark for converting recovered public assets into infrastructure that directly benefits the people,” he concluded.
