Abuja Residents Hail Gishiri Home Renovation

Residents have commended a home renovation initiative in the Gishiri community of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), describing it as a project that has restored hope and improved their living conditions.

Speaking in Abuja, the beneficiaries said the intervention transformed an ageing mud house into a more comfortable and attractive home, demonstrating that meaningful change can be achieved with locally available materials and community participation.

They noted that the renovation not only enhanced the appearance of the house but also improved everyday living, while drawing attention to the challenges faced by long-standing communities such as Gishiri, which are increasingly surrounded by rapid urban development.

They urged other corporate organisations and well-meaning individuals to support similar initiatives to improve housing conditions in underserved communities across the FCT.

The residents added that beyond providing a better living environment, the renovation has strengthened community spirit and inspired optimism among neighbours. They expressed hope that the project would encourage greater collaboration between private organisations, development partners and local communities to address housing and infrastructure challenges in older settlements.

Founder of Treuhand Architecture & Design, the firm that renovated the FCT community, Jamil Isimbabi, said the project was driven by the company’s commitment to improving lives through sustainable, practical solutions.

According to him, the team worked closely with residents to understand their needs and relied on materials found within the community rather than imported products.

“We believe that true impact is measured not only by the projects we complete but by the lives we touch. Our mission was to improve the family’s living conditions using the resources already available around them,” he said.

Isimbabi explained that the renovation incorporated red clay, cooking ash and charcoal as natural paint pigments. At the same time, on-site-sourced bamboo, scrap metal and wood were converted into household furniture, including benches, tables and beds.