Nigerian government approves N28 billion for infrastructure in Wasa, Abuja

A mass housing estate is being built in Wasa, Abuja.

The Executive Council of the Federation, FEC, during its one hour meeting on Wednesday approved N28 billion for the provision of engineering infrastructure in the Wasa district of Abuja.

The meeting, which was presided over by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, ended at about 11:30 a.m. President Goodluck Jonathan was absent as he is currently attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Olajumoke Akinjide, alongside Information Minister, Labaran Maku, told journalists that the approval of the contract was in line with the federal government’s continued efforts to provide infrastructure and affordable housing in the Nigerian capital.

The contract which includes the provision of sidewalks, culvet, sewage, electrical and street lightening, road work, drainage, amongst other infrastructure, was awarded for N28,117,904,027, with a completion period of 48 months.

According to Ms. Akinjide, the provided infrastructure is expected to cover 367 hectares of land, which has been designated for affordable housing.

Explaining further, the minister said the Abuja administration after reviewing the old mass housing scheme, had decided that to reduce the cost of housing it would now provide land and services like infrastructure; while the developers would build the houses and give to Nigerians at an affordable rate.

She said Wasa was the first of such and serves as a form of public subsidy.

According to a working document of the FEC, the memo was brought by the Abuja minister seeking council’s approval for the award of contract for the provision of engineering infrastructure to Wasa Affordable Housing Site.

“The project is in line with the establishment of FCT Satellite Development Agency whose mandate is to provide infrastructural facilities and social amenities to satellite towns and rural areas of the FCT. In addition, the project, upon completion, will generate employment for at least 30 professionals, 50 technicians and 100 unskilled labourers,” the document stated.