By: Ahmed Kagana Amshi – Damaturu
In a bid to provide hope and opportunity for new homeowners in Yobe State, the Family Homes Funds has successfully completed affordable housing projects comprising 3,820 homes. This project aims to offer about 4,000 units of affordable housing for low-income earners in the State, transforming the lives of many individuals and families.
However, recent challenges have surfaced as some houses in Gashu’a, Yobe State, have been left incomplete by contractors for several years. This has left beneficiaries in a difficult position, having to take matters into their own hands to complete and occupy their allocated homes. Similar issues have been observed in Damaturu, the state capital, highlighting the urgent need for government intervention to ensure the completion of these vital housing projects.
On a positive note, projects under Family Homes Funds in locations such as Jama’are, Azare, Misau, Ningi, and Dass in Bauchi State have been successfully completed and occupied, bringing relief to civil servants and private individuals. In Yobe State, sites in Potiskum, Damagum, Ngelzarma, Dikumari, Gashua road, and Gujiba road have also seen progress, with the potential to positively impact thousands of residents once fully completed.
Beneficiaries have expressed concerns over the high cost of building materials needed to finish their homes and have called on the Family Homes Funds and Yobe State government to hold contractors accountable and ensure timely completion. The lack of project stakeholders on-site during visits raises questions about the commitment to finishing these projects promptly.
Despite challenges, the collaboration between Family Homes Funds, host states, and contractors has the potential to provide affordable homeownership opportunities to those who previously had limited options. The State Water Corporation and Ministry of Energy have played their part by providing essential services such as water supply although not enough and electricity, enhancing the livability of these housing estates.
The state government’s initiative to reduce housing costs by 50% is commendable and will alleviate the housing challenges faced by civil servants, demonstrating a commitment to improving living conditions for residents. As these projects near completion, they stand as a beacon of hope for low-income earners, offering a pathway to secure and sustainable homeownership for many Nigerians in Bauchi and Yobe States.
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