TheCable

The federal government says houses constructed under its mass housing project will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

The government is planning to construct 300,000 houses under the economic sustainability plan (ESP) for low-income earners through its social housing programme.

According to NAN, Babatunde Fashola, minister of works and housing, disclosed this during an inspection of houses under the federal government’s housing project on Thursday in Bauchi.

He said the process of allocation would start through online applications by the beneficiaries.

“The process is going to be on an online platform, the form will be online and pay online, fill them, you don’t need to give anything under the table. It is first come first served, that is why it takes a little while,” Fashola said.

“We also noticed some dampness and drainage issues in the completed houses. Our facility manager would address them and find a way of draining the water for the beneficiaries.”

Fashola reiterated the federal government’s commitment towards solving the nation’s housing deficit.

“The federal government is determined to provide houses to the public across all the states of the federation”, the minister said.

He said the first phase of the houses had been completed.

The minister explained that the federal government would now focus on the second phase to bridge the deficit in housing.

He added that the projects have provided jobs to the citizens and boosted the economy of the people in the state as all materials used are bought in the state.

He commended the Bauchi state government for the necessary support in providing the land for the construction of the houses.

To tackle the country’s housing deficit, Fashola had recommended that landlords and property owners adopt a 3-month rent in advance against the yearly upfront payment to improve affordable housing for Nigerians.