The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, announced the formation of task teams in each state to conduct audits of the Ministry’s properties and lands, as well as manage the collection of ground rents.
In a statement released on Friday, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, made the announcement following an interactive session with Federal Controllers of Housing from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Belgore revealed that each task team will include the Federal Housing Controller from the respective state, representatives from the state government, and the Federal Housing Authority.
The Surveyor-General of the Federation will serve as the Chairman of each team.
“This initiative is designed to strengthen oversight and improve the efficiency of managing the Ministry’s assets,” Belgore explained.
“Field audits and professional oversight will ensure quality and efficiency,” he continued.
He also stressed the importance of continuous supervision and clear communication between controllers to ensure the Ministry remains well-informed about housing activities across the states.
To support the task teams, Belgore assured that the necessary resources would be allocated, with a portion of the revenue from ground rent collections being directed towards fieldwork and evaluations.
“The success of the Ministry’s objectives depends on teamwork, diligence, and effective project execution,” Belgore emphasized, noting that “the Ministry’s effectiveness relies heavily on the collaboration and commitment of its state housing controllers.”
Belgore also acknowledged the critical role Federal Controllers play in managing housing projects, pointing out that practical field experience is essential for effective project management, more so than office-based supervision.
He highlighted concerns over human resource challenges within the Ministry, revealing that many officers are nearing retirement.
To address this, Belgore announced plans to recruit experienced professionals and introduce training and mentoring programs, with Federal Controllers tasked with guiding new officers.
During the session, Federal Controllers urged the Ministry to renew contracts for facility managers responsible for overseeing housing projects across the states.
They cautioned that failing to do so could lead to the vandalism of project sites.
Earlier, Akinola Adeshina, Director of Human Resources at the Ministry, explained that the meeting was convened at the request of the Permanent Secretary to strengthen collaboration between the Ministry’s headquarters and the Federal Controllers.
