FG receives over 7,000 applications for housing scheme in a week – Fashola

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has revealed that 7,315 applications have so far been received for the National Housing Programme within the first week of launching the online portal.

He made this known while speaking before the Senate Committee on Housing on Thursday.

The Minister explained that the Ministry had been working at selling the houses to the public in an open and transparent manner through the portal.

Fashola stated that the categories of the houses are different from what is available in the open market.

The Minister, who noted that the type of houses being offered for sale were generous in terms of space, added that one bed room is 60sqm, 2 bedroom 76sqm and the 3 bedroom has 110sqm pointing out that the size is larger than what is obtainable with other developers

On the prices, Fashola said,: “There are 1,2,3 bedrooms, some of which are bungalows, while others are flats. The minimum house is N7.2m and the highest is about N16m.”

Fashola stated that the Ministry carried out a survey to come up with the type of houses Nigerians desire to live in to avoid the unfortunate incidence in the past where some houses that were built were at variance with the people’s need.

Speaking on the rationale behind launching the online portal for intending buyers of the houses, he said: “Our thinking is based on experience and what we think is right. This is a digital age. If we buy air ticket and book hotels through the internet we believe we could do the same in applying for the houses.”

He however added that the system may not be perfect just like every other human endeavour but the Ministry had done what is believed to be best practice at the moment.

On the requirements for purchase, the Minister listed: passport photographs, tax clearance and means of clear identification, N10,000 application fee amongst others.

He also stated that it is not possible for one to buy more than one house.

The Senate Committee Chairman on Housing, Senator Sam Egwu, commended the Minister on his commitment to the housing delivery for Nigerians.