From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The federal government is planning to develop a district called Centenary City in Abuja, which spans over 1,200 hectares of land along Airport Road, stating that funds are needed to develop the infrastructure.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, made this known when he met with officials of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) in Abuja on Wednesday.
He noted that infrastructure development at the city would attract investors who will take up a portion of the land to develop commercial, tourism, residential, and industrial outlets.
The partnership will focus on the delivery of affordable housing and promoting sustainable urban development in Nigeria.
KFAED is Kuwait’s agency for the provision and administration of financial and technical assistance to developing countries.
The minister highlighted several programmes launched by the ministry, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as key areas where the ministry needs intervention.
These areas include the establishment of Building Material Manufacturing Hubs across Nigeria’s six regions to reduce the cost of building materials in the country and create job opportunities.
Dangiwa explained that each hub would be built on 200 to 300 hectares of land, equipped with infrastructure such as roads, drainage, electricity, water, and other facilities to enable the hub to function properly.
He also informed that the ministry has received solicitations and proposals from investors to develop the hubs, with four investors currently involved.
“After we have done the site and services infrastructure, the spaces will be allocated for investors who want to build medium-sized factories, small-sized factories, and large-scale factories that can produce roofing sheets, doors, windows, ceramic tiles, and all the materials that we need in these locations,” he added.
In a statement, another area of partnership, according to the minister, is the urban development sector of the ministry, which focuses on urban development in cities and urban areas, as well as slum upgrades in the hinterlands.
He explained that the slum upgrade provides infrastructure like drainage, roads, sanitation, electricity, schools, and hospitals that would make life comfortable for society, stating that last year’s budget funded the development of 150 slums, with over 120 already completed.
In reference to the technical assistance earlier mentioned by the Director General of the Kuwait Fund, Dangiwa said the ministry seeks technical assistance to fund and implement the programmes effectively.
He highlighted the need for technical assistance in conducting feasibility studies for projects like Centenary City, adding that the ministry has already conducted one for the city but needs additional support.
The minister also mentioned the need for intervention in the Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme of the ministry, which aims to build 100 houses in each of the 774 local government areas of the country, targeting low-income and underprivileged individuals.
He explained the plan to sell 70 per cent of the houses to low-income earners who would pay only 30 per cent of their income, with the rest subsidised by the government, while the remaining 30 per cent of houses would be given to zero-income, underprivileged, and displaced individuals.
Dangiwa, however, noted that the social housing initiative is currently facing funding challenges, which the ministry seeks solutions for.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Development, Dr Waleed Al-Bahar, had stated that their visit to the ministry was to explore potential areas of collaboration and support.
He stated that the Kuwait Fund for Arab Development is interested in identifying projects within the ministry that could benefit from its assistance, particularly in infrastructure and social development.
Al-Bahar emphasised the importance of having updated feasibility studies for the proposed projects.
“These are some of the areas we can support, but I need to know if you have feasibility studies for the projects. We also have to consider the cost implications, and the studies need to be current,” he said.
While clarifying that the Kuwait Fund does not finance direct housing projects in accordance with its operational policy, Al-Bahar affirmed the fund’s willingness to support related infrastructure, including transportation, education, agriculture, and other social sectors.
He further disclosed that, prior to their visit to the ministry, the fund had signed its first partnership agreement with the Kaduna State Government on the project titled “Reaching Out-of-School Children Programme,” an occasion he described as a delightful milestone.
Al-Bahar added that the Kuwait Fund offers soft loans to governments, including Nigeria, under favourable conditions, with a maturity period ranging from 20 to 25 years and low interest rates.
In addition to financial assistance, he reaffirmed the fund’s readiness to support the Nigerian government in developing or updating feasibility studies for potential projects.
“If you require assistance with developing proper studies, we are willing to help,” he assured.
Responding to the minister’s outlined priority areas, Al-Bahar acknowledged their significance and reiterated the fund’s willingness to consider them, subject to the availability of detailed feasibility studies.
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