The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has begun the process of constructing 7,400 housing units across Nigeria, as part of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to providing affordable shelter under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking on Monday at the FHA headquarters in Abuja, Managing Director Rt. Hon. Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo emphasized the administration’s unwavering investment in infrastructure to benefit ordinary Nigerians.
He declared open the bidding process for the first phase of the project, which will cover 200 housing units in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“This marks a historic step toward transparency and accountability in our procurement processes,” Ojo stated, highlighting the adherence to the Public Procurement Act and the FHA’s commitment to probity.
The inaugural bidding session commenced with the South-South geopolitical zone, involving states such as Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, and Bayelsa. The event, lasting over ten hours, included roll calls of applicant companies and the opening of bidding documents by the procurement department.
To maintain order and ensure transparency, the FHA has scheduled separate dates for other geopolitical zones, including the North West, South East, North East, North Central, and South West, with the process running from December 30, 2024, to January 7, 2025.
Ojo reiterated the FHA’s zero-tolerance policy for interference and sharp practices, warning contractors against duplication or fraudulent activities. “This first phase covers 17 states, and we will roll out the second phase with the same commitment to transparency and accountability,” he added.
The event was attended by members of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), and other observers, who lauded the FHA’s transparent approach. Participating CSOs included CISLAC, Zero Corruption, and Hephzibah Initiative for Peace and Development, among others.
Contractors present expressed confidence in the process and pledged to deliver quality projects. The housing initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to tackle Nigeria’s housing deficit and ensure inclusivity in national development.