Taraba Takes Over 188 National Housing Units, Seeks More Projects

The Taraba State Government has formally taken over the 188 housing units constructed under the federal government’s National Housing Programme in the state.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Muttaqha Rabe Darma, handed over the housing units to the state government during a brief ceremony at the TY Danjuma House in Jalingo.

According to the Housing Minister, the initiative was aimed at ensuring that completed federal housing projects were occupied and put to productive use.

Dr. Darma said, the ministry was undertaking a nationwide exercise to hand over completed housing projects to state governments for allocation to citizens, including civil servants, security personnel and other residents.

He specifically said, “We build houses all over Nigeria and our desire is that we don’t just build houses and allow them to go like that.

“We want people to get into those houses. The easiest way is for us to have state governments take over those houses so that they can allocate them to their own citizens.”

Accordingthe the minister, Taraba was the first state to respond to the ministry’s initiative to take over the completed housing units, describing the development as a major step towards ensuring that the houses served their intended purpose.

“I am happy to be here this afternoon to hand over 188 housing units that were built under the National Housing Programme in Taraba State,” the minister said.

He added that the ministry was also working on a social housing initiative designed to expand access to affordable housing across the country.

Receiving the houses, Taraba State governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, commended the federal government and the housing ministry for the quality of the buildings, saying the state government had paid for the houses at a critical time when it urgently needed accommodation.

Governor Kefas said the housing units became particularly useful following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the establishment of additional military divisions in Taraba, with headquarters in Jalingo.

He maintained that the state government required immediate accommodation for personnel expected to move into the state before permanent facilities could be provided.

The governor disclosed that the state government had inspected the housing estate and found it suitable for the purpose, prompting his administration to seek more federal housing projects in the state.

“I even requested that we want more of this initiative in the state. And you are kind enough to unveil your plan for the social housing initiative that you are planning to use all over the states,” Kefas said.

He assured the minister that Taraba had sufficient land to support the expansion of the housing programme, urging the federal government to consider the state for more housing projects.

According to him, the expansion of the programme in Taraba would support President Tinubu’s vision of providing decent housing for Nigerians while also complementing the state government’s development efforts.

The governor further commended the minister for the proactive approach to implementing the federal government’s housing agenda.

He expressed optimism that continued collaboration between the state and federal governments would yield more benefits for residents.

The signing and formal handover documents of the 188 housing units were subsequently signed by Governor Agbu Kefas on behalf of the state and the Minister, Dr. Darma onbehalf of the Federal Government, signalling formal transfer of the houses to the state for allocation and occupation.