The federal government has said it’s National Social Housing Programme under the Economic Sustainability Plan is targeting 1.8 million jobs within the construction value chain, a step it said would empower artisans, engineers, quantity surveyors and others involved in housing sector construction value chain.
Ajuri Ngelale, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs who gave this information to BusinessDay said the government targets those in the value chain of Nigerian construction sector to drive the social housing scheme and create jobs in the housing ecosystem.
He said: “Thís is something we’re really very excited about, mainly because it is really very labour intensive which would increase the possible amount of jobs within the shortest possible time.”
According to the Presidential aide, “What we’re doing is that we’re constructing 300 000 Housing across the country. Now, the 300 000 housing we’re constructing will create 1.8 million direct jobs and millions of indirect jobs.
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To get the target of 1.8 million jobs, he explained that all of the companies and contractors involved in the execution of the projects are going to be sourced locally employing indigenous Nigerian labourers, to use local raw materials such as sand, granite, cement, and other construction equipment.
Giving further insight, the Presidential aide noted further that, “For the 300 000 houses, there would be a need for 1.5 million doors,I.8 million windows and approximately 7.8 million door lintels handles.
Every element of the construction work, he explained is to be taken by local suppliers in all states of the federation, noting that the 300 000 Housing Scheme is equitably distributed in all states of the federation, with a view to creating maximum economic impact.
The Nation Housing Programme initiative it would be noted is derived from the Economic Sustainability plan of the federal government, as a means of cushioning the fragile economy from the biting effects of the coronavirus.
BusinessDay findings showed the initiative being funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria, with 20 of the 36 states of the federation already indicating interest to participate in the scheme which has taken off.
Ngelale also noted that the cement manufacturers had earlier promised to support the efforts of the federal government with a discounted price of cement to enable swift progress of the project.
