From Olukayode Idowu
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has commissioned 300 low-cost houses for returning internally displaced persons, and two blocks of shopping complex built by the Borno State Government in collaboration with Family Homes, a private mass housing developer.
The houses, which are units of two-bedroom semi detached low-cost houses are sited at Ngamdu, a town in Kaga Local Government Area of northern Borno.
At a brief ceremony on Friday, the Governor presented allocation letters of houses to some of the beneficiaries.
Zulum also commissioned a 1.8 kilometre township road, a shopping complex with 30 shops, and a renovated and furnished Government Lodge, sited at Benisheik, headquarter of Kaga local government area.
The Governor also commissioned one storey block of 30 shops complex to boost the economy of people of the area.
Zulum in his address, recalled that in 2019, the Borno State Government signed an agreement with Family Homes, for the provision of 3,200 low cost houses in Borno State, adding that substantial number of the houses have now been delivered.
He said Family Homes had promised to soon commence the construction of 1000 houses for civil servants which will be offered to low income workers to enable them acquire homes.
Zulum said: “On behalf of the Government and people of Borno State, we want to express our deepest appreciation to Family Homes,” while promising that houses will only be allocated to the most vulnerable.
Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, under whose Ministry the projects were executed, Mustapha Gubio, earlier said in his welcome address that the largest beneficiaries of the houses are victims of displacement by Boko Haram.
The Commissioner commended the team which monitored the housing project, led by Zulum’s Adviser on Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, Engineer Lawan Wakilbe.
The Managing Director of Family Homes, Mr. Femi Adewale in his goodwill message, commended Governor Zulum’s sound leadership, which led to actualization of the partnership.
He promised that within the next three months, processes will be completed towards commencement of 1000 additional houses which Zulum had explained, are to be allocated to low cadre civil servants.
Meanwhile, Governor Zulum while in Kaga, commissioned a basic school and a computer center built and furnished by Hon. Usman Zannah, member of House of Representatives representing Gubio, Kaga and Magumeri Federal constituency.
The constituency intervention projects were sited in Beneshiekh, headquarters of Kaga LG.
Zulum commended the rep member for serving his constituents.