NLC, firms kick-start N960b workers’ housing scheme

Days of speculation over a proposal to construct 600,000 housing units for Nigerian workers, pioneered by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Kriston Lally EPC Nigeria Limited with a foreign partner, Kriston Lally Enterprises Atti-kat, are now over, as the construction of the project will take off in less than four weeks from today.

The housing project, prompted by a need to provide affordable houses for Nigerian workers and valued at N960 billion, was said to have received the backing of President Goodluck Jonathan, who will perform the sod-turning of the scheme.

Determined to ensure the commencement of the project, President and staffers of NLC recently visited their foreign partners and funder in Athens, Greece, where the partners concluded on the agreement, which included how the funds and technical know-how as well as materials would be moved to Nigeria for the commencement of the project.

Earlier, NLC had signed a N960 billion ($6 billion) partnership with a private property developer, Kriston Lally EPC Nigeria Limited to provide houses for its members in both public and private sectors across the country, at the interest rate of 2 per cent. 

The project is to provide an opportunity for any member of the NLC to own a house. The types of houses include one-bedroom which are in apartments, two bedroom detached and semi-detached, three bedroom detached and semi-detached in apartments and then four bedroom bungalows, four bedroom duplexes, detached and semi-detached.

Following the visit, Omar, had said that the trip was purposeful, adding: “It has a very long history, very strong ties and I think very progressive issues,” because the purpose is the Nigerian workers and how they can get houses of their own at affordable rate.

To achieve this, Omar said NLC had to engage a private developer in a partnership towards providing quality and affordable housing for the Nigerian workers. 

He assured those who have made down payment of 10%, that their money is intact, assuring that the money would not even be part of construction process but a security to show commitment from the subscribers.

Describing the housing scheme as an unparalleled initiative, Omar pointed out that the meeting with the foreign partners and the funder during the trip was successful, adding that the Nigeria Embassy was also involved in the whole process. 

Nigeria Ambassador to Greece, Mr. Ayodeji Ayodele, who also hosted the partners, said the collaboration with the Greek company would bring succour and happiness to the lives of Nigerian workers, saying that it was in line with their objective in Greece.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive of Kriston Lally Nigeria, Alhaji Mustapha Madawaki, described the visit and the meeting as wonderful.  According to him, “It was a wonderful meeting. We went straight to Nigeria Embassy, where we had a meeting with the Ambassador. Prior to that, the Ambassador had also requested to see them and they came to meet him. They had several meetings and the Ambassador also ran check on them that they are reputable, reliable, experienced.

“By and large, we have totally agreed that the NLC plays its role as the funders are very much aware of the need to start releasing funds probably by the first or second week in December. That will enable us mobilise and move to the site.”

Already, Madawaki pointed out that about 5, 000 workers have subscribed for the phase one of the scheme in Abuja, adding that subscription from Lagos, Port Harcourt and other states, is starting almost immediately.