The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa is seeking for more funds for seven critical programmes of the housing sector.

These projects he said include the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Housing Programme and Slump Upgrading and Urban Renewal Programme and others.

Dangiwa made the call during the budget defence session of the Senate Committee on Housing held on Monday at the National Assembly, Complex.

“I wish to request that the Distinguished Chairman and Members of this very important Committee use their good offices to increase the budgetary allocation in severn key areas.

“This is in view of the fact that these areas are very critical to the Transformative Policies and Programmes of Mr President to put the economy on the part of recovery and growth.

“It is pertinent to state here that in 2024 fiscal year the sum of N162.609 billion
was allocated to our Ministry, which amount was considered inadequate.

“Yet, we have been given an envelope of
N83.752 billion in 2025 as the Ministry’s Capital Budget Ceiling for 2025 which is a far cry from even the 2024 Appropriation”.

He said that the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Housing Programme was designed to be catalyst for economic growth.

“The construction and development of these new areas will generate employment opportunities, stimulate local businesses and attract investments.

“The 50,000 units planned to deliver under phase I will create 1, 250, 000 direct and indirect construction jobs for Architects, Engineers, plumbers, iron benders, masons etc.

“This is in addition to the value chain effect of purchase, supply of building materials and other businesses.

“Currently, we have covered 12 States and would like to cover 18 States at 250 units per site. The amount needed to achieve this N108 billion at N6 billion per state.

He said that the “Slump Upgrading and Urban Renewal Programme” also required increased budgetary allocation.

“Currently, there are ongoing programmes in four states of each geopolitical zone including FCT.

“This means four sites in four states of each geopolitical zone including four sites in FCT, bringing the total to hundred 100 sites. At least N100 billion is needed for better result to be achieved,” he said.

Dangiwa further said that the ministry was exposed to huge amounts of liabilities amounting from projects completed, duly certified for payments before the end of the budgetary year but were not paid due to limited time.

“There is the need to make adequate provision for liabilities to enable the ministry reduce the amount of liabilities it is exposed to.

“The Ministry has over N92 billion liabilities but would need nothing less than N60 billion in the 2025 Budget to reduce the exposure,” Dangiwa said.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing, Sen. Aminu Tambuwal, assured the minister of support to tackle the issues of liabilities incurred.

“We will support you by making sure that we can work together to see how best we can approach the Minister of Finance, the budget office, and even the Presidency.

“How best we can really get this debt relief on the part of the ministry and on the part of our contractors”.(NAN)

Hon. Temilola Adibi, a former member of the House of Representatives, has died.

He was aged 64.

He represented the Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South/Oriire federal constituency in Oyo State from 1999 to 2003 on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy party.

His death reportedly happened on Tuesday morning.

Adibi reportedly died after going for a jog in Ilorin, Kwara State, where he had been living.

A close associate said that Adibi had been in good health prior to his sudden death.

He had spoken with people the night before and even posted on his WhatsApp status at 4 a.m. before his death.

Adibi was well-known and respected in Oyo State for his contributions to local governance and community development.

In addition to his time in the House of Representatives, he also held important roles, such as Chairman of the Oyo State Sports Council and Director-General of the Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA).

He further served as Director-General of the Bill and Signage Board during Governor Seyi Makinde’s first term.

Earlier in his career, Adibi had been the Chairman of the Ogbomoso North Local Government Area.

*Alerts residents as bandits flee military operations

By Francesca Hangeior

The Sokoto State Government has issued a warning to residents to remain vigilant as military operations against bandit terrorists intensify in the eastern part of the state and surrounding areas.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Security Matters, retired Colonel Ahmed Usman, the government highlighted the success of the ongoing joint military operations, which have left the bandits disorganised.

The statement explained that multiple terrorist enclaves have been destroyed, dozens of bandits neutralised, and hundreds of kidnapped victims rescued.

The statement urged residents to be cautious and report any suspicious activities in their communities.

“As security forces increase pressure on the bandits, some of them are fleeing to other areas with injured members. We are raising awareness to ensure our people remain alert, as these bandits may attempt to hide in villages or seek medical treatment at local clinics under disguise,” the statement read.

The government reiterated its commitment to working with security agencies to restore peace and stability in the state, adding that residents were encouraged to play an active role by reporting unusual activities to the authorities to support the ongoing efforts to secure the region.

“This proactive measure aligns with the governor’s nine-point agenda to create a safer and more economically viable Sokoto State.

“The government remains determined to work collaboratively with security operatives to protect citizens and maintain peace in the state,” the statement concluded.