In a move aimed at accelerating affordable housing delivery and reclaiming public assets, the Federal Government has inaugurated a 12-member ministerial committee to manage a 753-unit housing estate in Abuja, recently recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and linked to former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, announced the committee’s formation on Monday, following the estate’s official handover by the EFCC in compliance with a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Describing the assignment as “crucial to delivering the housing component of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Dangiwa charged the committee with transforming the abandoned estate, located in the Lokogoma district of the Federal Capital Territory, into livable, secure, and affordable homes for Nigerians.
“This initiative reflects the housing reform vision of President Tinubu’s administration. We are not only recovering assets but also repurposing them to serve Nigerians,” the minister said.
Chaired by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Shuaib Belgore, the committee is composed of senior directors and aides from key departments including engineering, planning, finance, procurement, and public communications.
Their mandate includes conducting a full structural and integrity assessment of the estate, verifying the number and condition of completed and uncompleted housing units, and determining the financial value of existing work through surveying and market evaluation.
Estimating costs required to complete critical infrastructure like roads, electricity, and water supply.
Setting design and finishing standards for consistency.
Proposing a fair, transparent framework for unit allocation via the Renewed Hope Housing Portal.
Crafting a public engagement and communication strategy to build public trust.
Dangiwa stressed that the committee must act swiftly and transparently:
“Nigerians want to see progress. They want to see government delivering homes and hope — not bureaucracy. Be bold, think outside the box, and get results,” he said.
He also underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration, urging the committee to coordinate effectively with stakeholders such as the EFCC, the FCTA, and utility providers.
A preliminary report is expected within four weeks, and the Minister of State for Housing, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, noted that the committee has been given the authority to co-opt additional experts to meet its mandate.
“This is a technically demanding task with a short window. Co-opt professionals where needed. Let competence guide every step,” he said.
In his remarks, Committee Chair Shuaib Belgore pledged the team’s commitment to integrity, transparency, and timely delivery.
“We’re not just managing a property; we are setting a national standard. This recovered estate will become a symbol of what’s possible when public assets are put to public use,” Belgore said.
He emphasized that the project’s successful delivery would serve as a model for converting recovered government assets into essential infrastructure that directly impacts citizens’ lives.
