Fashola Charges Universuty DONS To Produce Competitive Graduates -Challenges them on provision of affordable housing for indigent students The Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has appealed to Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities to meticulously pay significant attention to the academic curriculum of tertiary institutions, especially as it affects students in the built and construction industry. He added that ‘’this will ensure that Graduates are fit for the ever changing world and can compete favourably with their contemporaries worldwide.’’ The Minister stated this at the High Level Policy Dialogue on Affordable Housing for indigent students and low income earners organised by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities (CVC) in Abuja. Fashola, who was represented by the Minister of State II for Power, Works and Housing, Surv. Suleiman Hassan Zarma, mnis, commended the university Dons for the laudable initiatives of the new pro-poor housing framework aimed at addressing the housing challenges of these categories of people and indeed the entire citizenry. He stated that the CVC’s inspiration stemmed from the PhD work of Dr. Paschal Onyemaechi whose findings and research work has translated into a housing project termed ‘’Build for Nigeria’’ shared the vision of the present administration’s on-going construction of mass and affordable housing across the 36 States of the federation, under the National Housing Programme Scheme. According to the Minister, ‘’it is no longer news that there is a huge housing deficit in the country and that the poor and low income earners are at the receiving end. It is very unfair that our children at our Tertiary Institutions are also grappling with the problem of accommodation.’’ He however assured them that government is mindful of these situations and is heavily investing on infrastructural facilities, site and services schemes, mortgage facilities, Public Private Partnership Schemes and lots more to bridge the gap of the nation’s housing deficits. The Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities which is coordinating collaboration amongst all the 153 universities in Nigeria, has decided to take the lead with the Dialogue, along with other sponsors and professional bodies to identify and proffer possible solutions to the escalating low-income housing deficit and the urban housing crisis in Nigeria. The overall essence of the research is to focus on how the benefits of Public Private Partnership (PPP) can be maximized to improve access to decent and affordable housing for low and middle-income earners in developing economies like Nigeria. The High-Level Policy Dialogue which featured panel discussants, presented a detailed report on the strategies for the implementation of the ‘Build for Nigeria’ solution to the Vice President and other leaders representing various interest groups and the general public. The occasion was graced by the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Bagudu, Minister of State for Education, Prof Anthony Anwuka, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Royal fathers and other keynote speakers. ...

FG Grows Housing Sector For National Development –Fashola The Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has disclosed that the Federal Government is committed to growing the housing sector and harnessing its vast potentials for sustainable national development, stating that housing has been a driver of economic growth throughout the world and that there is no reason why Nigeria cannot achieve same. In his keynote address delivered at this year's World Habitat and World Cities Day commemoration in Abuja, the Minister, represented by the Minister of State II in the Ministry, Surv. Suleiman Hassan Zarma, mnis, said that the dual theme of this year's celebration : ' Housing Policies: Affordable Homes' and 'Innovative Governance, Open Cities, is a "reflection of a strong attempt to follow up on Agenda 2030 and the New Urban Agenda adopted in Quito, Ecuador in 2016". He added that it will afford policy makers in Nigeria the opportunity to review and evaluate past housing policies and assess their impact as well as strategize for the future. He said that government has put in place the necessary machinery to jump- start a housing revolution through the innovative nationwide National Housing Programme. According to him, “the pilot implementation stage has already created opportunities for 634 contractors, created 13,689 direct jobs and 41,000 indirect jobs’’. He noted that if the Programme could be replicated on a yearly basis and also successfully implement the housing cooperatives, leverage private sector capacity, strengthen FHA and FMBN to play their roles, we will be creating an affordable housing economy that will fortify and transform our nation in the nearest future. The Minister stated that, "to complement these efforts, we have activated the Road map for Nigeria's Housing and Urban development Sector, and are in the process of producing a strategic National Physical Development Plan to integrate physical planning with economic development,” adding that the National Building Code was also being revised to curb incessant building collapse in the county and to ensure proper alignment with the International Building Code. In his welcome remarks, the Minister of State I for Power, Works and Housing, Hon Mustapha Baba Shehuri, reminded stakeholders in the housing sector of their duties to develop policies capable of providing basic infrastructures and social services that could be lacking due to rapid urbanization of cities. He said, "We are therefore duty bound to generate responsive policies which are capable of turning around the current poor state of our cities and guarantee efficient delivery of infrastructure and basic social services." In a message from the UN Secretary General, Dr. Joan Clos, delivered by the UN- Habitat Country Programme Manager, Mr Kabir Yari, he   said that, "addressing the housing needs for the poorest and most vulnerable, especially women, youths and those who live in slums must be a priority in the development agenda of nations. He also noted that addressing affordability issue in the provision of housing is of strategic importance for development, social, peace and equity in the society and that promoting sound housing policies is crucial for climate change, resilience, mobility and energy consumption". In a paper titled “Cities for all Nigerians:  Policy and Implementation of the Global and the New Urban Agenda.” delivered by Professor Banji Oyelaran- Oyeyinka, former Director, Regional Office for Africa, UN-Habitat, he stated that member states, in the New Urban Agenda, agreed “to promote housing policies based on the principles of inclusion, economic effectiveness, and environmental protection.” He noted that for government to ensure the provision of suitable affordable housing for all, it has a large number of policies to develop, ranging from planning problem, zoning issues, funding and constructing adequate transport linkages to other implementation policies. The World Habitat and World cities Day Commemoration is an annual event that comes up in the month of October. It presents an opportunity for nations to review and evaluate their housing policies and their political commitment by providing affordable and sustainable housing for all. ...

Road Trust Fund (Press Information Package) 1.    What is a Road Trust Fund? The Road Trust Fund (RTF) is being set up to facilitate and incentivise private sector involvement in the provision of Nigeria’s Federal road infrastructure. It is a form of Public Private Partnership that will accelerate the provision of Federal Roads by allowing private sector operators to collectively fund road provision in exchange for tax credits. This will complement Federal Government’s budgetary allocation to roads. 2.    What are the benefits of the Road Trust Fund? Increases funds available for road development and accelerates road provision across the nation.  Reduces pressure on the Federal Budget by allowing private engagement. Allows for cost reduction by providing a new benchmark in road costing.  Private sector participation in what was previously a Federal Government monopoly will create more efficient delivery of road projects. Better negotiation and the promise of prompt payment to contractors, is expected to materially reduce project costs. Provides alternate funding to the Government for road infrastructure development. Creates a platform for collaboration among private sector players as well as between private sector and Government. Encourages co-operation in business districts affected by poor road infrastructure which will enhance output and reduce business operating costs. Allows businesses to direct funds that would otherwise have been ‘tax Naira’ into much needed areas of infrastructure. 3.    Why is the Government focusing on roads? Federal roads are critical in unlocking socio-economic development.  While they account for just 17% of the total national road network, Federal roads carry more than 80% of national vehicular and freight traffic. (Nigeria’s road network consists of 200,000Km of which N33,000km are Federal Roads according to the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing)  The deficit in roads is so large that there is a need to mobilise additional funding sources. 4.    How does the Road Trust Fund work? The Road Trust Fund is a revision of the existing infrastructure tax relief scheme that allows for tax relief to companies that incur expenditure on public infrastructure. To date, just two companies have been able to take advantage of this provision. The reason being that few companies are large enough to solely undertake road projects. The RTF, being a collective model, can mobilise funds from a range of tax paying companies, irrespective of their location or sector. RTF is it therefore, expected to mobilise significant capital into road provision. RTF uses a collective model to mobilise private capital from companies of all sizes to undertake road projects through a series of Road Trust Funds.  Each Fund will be a stand-alone Collective Infrastructure Fund (CIF) using a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). We  have already consulted with the private sector in the development of the RTF and some companies have already identified roads they wish to reconstruct and are organising their funding. However, this scheme is designed such that Financial Intermediaries will be promoting Road Trust Fund projects and soliciting commitments from interested companies. 5.    Why would a private company want to participate in this? Private sector participation is being incentivised through a Tax Credit Scheme that enables all participating companies to claim tax relief based on the amount of capital contribution (on a pro-rata basis). 6.    What are the benefits of the Tax Credit Scheme to the private sector?     Companies will be allowed to recover 100% of costs incurred on road infrastructure as a tax credit against total tax payable (including up to 10% for cost of funds);     Accelerated depreciation to enable recovery in 3 years rather than 4 years for standard assets; and      Ability to directly intervene in roads that are critical to their businesses which drives competitiveness. 7.    Are there special incentives for building roads in economically disadvantaged areas? Yes. The relief allows for cost recovery within a single year instead of 3 years for economically disadvantaged areas. We are encouraging and facilitating investment across all areas of Nigeria to achieve inclusive economic growth. 8.    Would the scheme negatively affect Government revenues? No. The effect of this scheme will be revenue neutral. In addition to the fact that we are already seeing improved performance in our tax receipts by improving tax compliance and blocking loopholes, we are proposing a cap on cost recovery to a maximum of 50% of tax payable by each participant in any year of assessment. This means that in any given year of assessment for tax purposes, at least 50% of total tax payable will be remitted. 9.    Currently, road maintenance puts a major strain on budgetary resources, has this been considered? Reducing budgetary pressure is a major advantage of the fund. Participants are required to guarantee the road for 5 years beyond maintenance.   10.    Will the Roads be tolled? Once the roads are completed they are handed over to the Federal Government who may decide to toll  the roads in accordance with the National Tolling Policy. 11.    What is the role of the Ministry of Power Works and Housing ? The Ministry is responsible for approving the road designs, monitoring all approved Road Trust Fund Projects  by managing costs and timelines as well as ensuring that equal development across Nigeria by rebalancing the Federal  budget, where necessary. 12.    How does Government ensure costs are not inflated All costs and contractors will be scrutinised and approved by the Bureau of Public Procurement in line with legal requirements. This will ensure that costs are not inflated and that unqualified contractors are not used on the projects. 13.    Would further information be provided to the private sector? Yes. The Ministry of Finance will develop detailed Guidance Notes on the Provisions of the new Infrastructure Tax Incentive within the next 30-days. ...