The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has unveiled a strategic initiative to enhance the management and oversight of its properties and land across Nigeria.
In a significant move, the Ministry announced the formation of task teams in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to conduct comprehensive audits of its assets and oversee the collection of ground rent.
This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, in a statement on Friday following an interactive session with Federal Controllers of Housing at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to Dr. Belgore, the newly established task teams will comprise the Federal Controller of Housing in each state, representatives from the state government, and the Federal Housing Authority, with the Surveyor-General of the Federation serving as the Chairman.
The primary objective of this initiative is to enhance oversight, streamline operations, and ensure transparency in the administration of the Ministry’s real estate assets.
Field audits and professional oversight will ensure quality and efficiency, Belgore stated, emphasizing the importance of accountability in the Ministry’s operations.
He further stressed the need for regular supervision and open communication among controllers to provide the Ministry with up-to-date information on housing-related activities nationwide.
To improve the efficiency of the task teams, Belgore assured that necessary resources would be allocated for their operations. Additionally, a portion of the revenue generated from ground rent collection will be reinvested into fieldwork and project evaluation to ensure the sustainability of the initiative.
Belgore also raised concerns about the Ministry’s human resource challenges, particularly as many experienced officers approach retirement.
To mitigate this, he announced plans to engage seasoned professionals and implement training and mentorship programs, with Federal Controllers playing a key role in guiding new officers.
Recognizing the crucial role of Federal Controllers in coordinating housing projects, Belgore underscored that effective project management requires hands-on field experience rather than an exclusive reliance on office-based supervision.
During the session, Federal Controllers urged the Ministry to renew contracts for facility managers overseeing housing projects across various states.
They warned that failure to do so could leave project sites vulnerable to vandalism and deterioration, potentially undermining the government’s housing development efforts.
Earlier, the Ministry’s Director of Human Resources, Akinola Adeshina, highlighted that the meeting was convened at the request of the Permanent Secretary to strengthen collaboration between the Ministry’s headquarters and Federal Controllers.
The session aimed to reinforce synergy in the implementation of government housing policies and ensure that national housing projects meet the highest standards of efficiency and sustainability.
With this strategic move, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is positioning itself to improve property administration, boost revenue generation, and foster effective project execution across Nigeria’s housing sector.