Gombe govt set to provide 2,500 affordable houses to civil servants,others
By Jack Tasha
In its renewed commitment to ensure welfare of its civil servants and other citizens in the state, the state government is poised to provide 2,500 housing units across the state.
In line with ensuring the provision of the housing units, the government has set up a committee on the Implementation of Affordable and Social Housing Scheme in the state under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau.
Inaugurating the committee on behalf of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the Deputy Governor said the ultimate aim of the administration was to improve on the general living standard of its citizenry beyond the the level of economic growth to development.
He said, “Our administration places utmost priority in providing shelter and accommodation in view of its importance to humans.
While lamenting that in Nigeria like other third world countries government had failed to meet up with the provisions of Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals, denying the population of many physiological and basic needs.
The Deputy Governor, further reiterated that the United Nations expectations was that health and shelter should be made available for all by the year 2020 has now remained an illusion and mirage as years rolled by, stressing that people without shelter are exposed to numerous dangers and other forms of inhuman treatment.
He explained that the state government is keying into the Federal Government’s scheme of providing 2,500 affordable housing units as a demonstration of the commitment of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s care, concern for life of citizens of Gombe State.
He expressed confidence that the calibre of the members of the committee would ensure the assignment is completed swiftly, transparently, and satisfactorily, and not to allow any situation where things that are meant for the citizens are denied them.
He said the administration has executed a lot of programs and established a lot of offices, including renovation of hospitals, schools, citizenship and leadership training institute, agricultural entrepreneurship centre and the development of Ten Year Development Plan all with a view to uplifting the living standard of the people in the state.
He informed the members that the setting up of the committee was a clear demonstration of the administrations political will to transform the lives of the people in the state.
Jatau listed the members of the committee to include, Hon. Commissioners of Finance, Science and Technology, Dr. Aishatu Maigari, Women Affairs, Na’omi J.J. Awak, Housing and Urban Development,Alh.Abdullahi Idris Kwami.
Others according to him are; Special Adviser on Budget, Planning and Development Partner Coordination Office, Managing Director Gombe State Investment and Property Development, Gombe Geographical information System( GOGIS) Special Adviser on Technical Matters and Permanent Secretary Budget, Planning as Secretary of the Committee.
He said the terms of reference are to work with key stakeholders to identify the location and distribution of the housing units, to ensure full compliance with the conditions spelt out by the Family Homes Fund, to serve as the point of focus and contact with the technical team working with the Family Homes, and other partner to facilitate the provision of all that is needed by Family Homes from state MDA’s to be ready including titles, ISPOs, Survey plans etc.
Other terms of reference according to the Deputy Governor include; to make recommendations that would ensure the equitable distribution of the housing units taking into account increased housing stock and economic benefits, to guide the most durable and sustainable design if housing is adopted for the program, to ensure effective monitoring if the implementation of the program as well as to carry out any activity that will ensure the successful delivery of program.
Jack.A.Tasha, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) Media (Deputy Governor’s Office).
