To meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (UN-MDGs) on housing needs in Yobe State in the year 2015, Yobe State Executive Council, last week approved the release of ₦1.6 billion for the construction of 300 additional housing units under the state government’s Owner Occupier Housing Programme (OOHP).
Rising from the council meeting at the Government House, Damaturu, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Goni Fika disclosed to Journalists that the additional 300 housing units are to complement the already completed 1, 000 housing units built by government.
According to Fika, beneficiaries of the planned housing units when completed would include civil servants and other residents of the state. He disclosed that the beneficiaries will occupy and own the houses at 65 per cent subsidy, stating that if a three-bedroom cost the state government ₦5 million, the worker is to pay only ₦1.75 million or 65 per cent discount on each of the houses sold.
Other people that are going to benefit from government’s housing and other infrastructural facility projects, he added, are students and teachers of the state owned University on Gujba road.
In a related development, Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam also approved the release of ₦353 million to the Bukar Abba Ibrahim University (BAIU) for the construction of houses for the University staff and lecture theatres.
Similarly, the Yobe State House of Assembly has been earmarked the sum of ₦180 million to renovate its complex, including the Chambers and legislators’ offices which, according to them has not been renovated since 1999.
Speaking on the National Food Security Programme, the commissioner said: “council has yesterday approved the release of ₦77.2 million for the massive purchase of 575 metric tons or 11,500 bags of millet and sorghum from farmers.
The procurement of grains, he explained, was to offer reasonable market prices to farmers and ensure the National Food Security programme in the state.