The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has announced plans to establish task teams across all states to oversee property audits and ground rent collection on its assets nationwide.
This initiative was disclosed on the ministry’s website following an interactive session at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja between the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, and the 36 states and FCT Federal Controllers of Housing.
According to Belgore, each state’s task team will comprise the Federal Controller of Housing, representatives from the state and the Federal Housing Authority, and the Surveyor-General of the Federation serving as chairman. He emphasized the ministry’s commitment to providing the necessary resources to ensure effective implementation, noting that a portion of the revenue generated will be allocated for fieldwork and project evaluation.
Highlighting the initiative’s significance, Belgore stressed that field audits and professional oversight would enhance operational efficiency and project quality. He urged the controllers to foster teamwork, stating that the ministry’s effectiveness hinges on collaboration and commitment at the state level.
He also underscored the need for practical, on-site experience in project management, asserting that hands-on engagement is essential for effective execution. To address the ministry’s human capacity challenges, he revealed plans to recruit experienced professionals and implement training and mentorship programs, with the Federal Controllers playing a key role in grooming new officers.
Meanwhile, the Federal Controllers urged the ministry to renew facility management contracts for state projects to prevent vandalism.
Earlier, the ministry’s Director of Human Resources, Akinola Adeshina, reiterated the meeting’s importance in fostering synergy between the headquarters and state controllers.
