The Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, on Monday announced the formation of a twelve-member ministerial committee tasked with managing a 753-unit housing estate recently recovered and linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
This estate, located in the Lokogoma district of Abuja, was handed over to the Ministry by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The handover marks a significant milestone in the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit.
In a statement issued on Monday, Minister Dangiwa highlighted the importance of the committee’s role, saying, “Housing and Urban Development Minister, Ahmed Dangiwa, has inaugurated a twelve-member ministerial committee on the 753-unit recovered housing estate located in the Lokogoma district, Abuja, FCT.”
He further emphasized that the committee’s work aligns with the President’s vision and the Ministry’s reform objectives to ensure the estate is transformed into “liveable, secure, and affordable homes for Nigerians.” Dangiwa stressed the need for technical expertise and institutional integrity, noting that members were carefully selected from key departments within the Ministry.
“Your selection is a testament to the confidence the Ministry has in your ability to drive this initiative with the seriousness and efficiency it demands. Nigerians are watching and expect results. They want to see homes completed and allocated transparently. They want to see the government working for them,” he said, urging the committee to “think outside the box” and be “results-oriented.”
The committee, chaired by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Shuaib Belgore, includes senior directors and aides from technical, financial, engineering, planning, procurement, and media departments. Its Terms of Reference include conducting a comprehensive structural and integrity assessment of the buildings, evaluating the number and condition of housing units, and carrying out market valuations.
Additionally, the committee will assess the costs needed to complete essential infrastructure such as roads, power, and water. It will also establish architectural and finishing standards, propose a transparent strategy for unit disposal and allocation via the Renewed Hope Housing Portal, and design a public engagement plan to build confidence among Nigerians.
Coordination with key stakeholders, including the EFCC, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), and utility providers, is a critical part of the committee’s mandate. A preliminary report is expected within four weeks.
Minister of State Yusuf Ata underscored the importance of flexibility in the committee’s composition, stating, “The committee should have the authority to co-opt members to assist, considering the magnitude of the task and the four-week timeline.”
Chairman Shuaib Belgore assured that the team would perform its duties diligently. “The committee has been tasked with ensuring the recovered estate undergoes a comprehensive technical assessment, is strategically completed, and disposed of transparently and cost-effectively, in line with national housing delivery objectives,” he said.
He added, “The successful execution of this assignment will serve as a benchmark for converting recovered public assets into infrastructure that directly benefits the people.”
