In a significant move for the housing industry, Ahmed Dangiwa, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, held a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday for the construction of 10,000 housing units in Enugu State. The event, attended by Enugu State Governor Dr. Peter Mbah, marked the launch of the ambitious Graceland Estate project led by COPEN Group.
During his address, Minister Dangiwa underscored how this initiative is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring affordable housing for all Nigerians. “This estate is a key part of the 10,000-unit Coal City Eastern Extension Layout and reflects President Tinubu’s vision of delivering quality, affordable homes to every Nigerian,” he stated.
Dangiwa also highlighted the daunting housing challenges facing the nation. “To address this crisis, we need to construct around 550,000 housing units each year for the next decade, requiring approximately N5.5 trillion annually,” he explained. He viewed the housing deficit not just as a challenge but as a catalyst for innovation and sustainable solutions going forward.
Identifying several factors contributing to this housing deficit, Dangiwa pointed to ineffective policy implementation, a struggling housing market, and a difficult macroeconomic environment. “Confronting these challenges will necessitate a multifaceted approach,” he said, stressing the importance of funding from private developers, local and international housing finance institutions, and partnerships with established private developers to create a lasting impact.
On a brighter note, Dangiwa reflected on the successes achieved under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Program. “In just over a year, we’ve initiated construction on 6,612 housing units across 13 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with many nearing completion. We aim to have most of these units ready by December so that Nigerians can begin to own them,” he shared. He also announced the construction of 3,500 housing units across three new Renewed Hope Cities, including 2,000 units in Lagos and 1,500 in Kano, with Enugu earmarked for a 2,000-unit city.
Dangiwa commended Governor Mbah for creating a favorable environment for development by providing 260 hectares of land, urging him to keep this momentum going.
Governor Mbah, represented by Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai, praised COPEN Group’s initiative and acknowledged Managing Director Dr. Chime as a valuable member of the Enugu community. He expressed gratitude for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s support in including Enugu in the Renewed Hope Cities & Estates program.
Mbah also called for increased collaboration among stakeholders to reduce construction costs. “We need to invest in research to creatively diminish our reliance on cement and explore new ways to make construction more affordable,” he asserted, commending the efforts made to ensure the project aligns with the community’s needs.
