President Goodluck Jonathan has said he will “appreciate to have Boko Haram as my good friends.”
President Jonathan said this on Tuesday, when he delivered his address
at the foundation-laying ceremony of Para-military Villages Housing
Scheme Development project at Kyami District, along Airport Road, Abuja.
The president’s statement elicited hysterical laughter from the audience on the occasion, as it exudes the confidence of someone winning the war against the sect.
He particularly commended the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, for the initiative, saying the housing scheme would further provide a secure environment for the para-military personnel and their families.
“When you talk of para-military services, some people don’t even know that is the constituency I belong. I started work with government after my school certificate as a Preventive Officer with the then Department of Custom and Exercise. They were called Custom police then. That is where I started my career. So I’m one of them.”
Jonathan added, “that is why I’m quite pleased to participate in today’s event of foundation laying ceremony of the paramilitary village housing scheme being undertaken jointly by the Ministry of Interior and Byuan Resources Ltd.”
While also commending Comrade Moro for taking steps to actualise the first phase of the project, Jonathan said the initiative was a direct furtherance of the Federal Government’s determination to maximise the potential of the public private partnership in improving the well-being of Nigerians and addressing major national challenges.
He noted that shelter was recognised globally as one of the primary needs of every human being, adding that the provision of quality, accessible and affordable housing “is a core priority of this administration.”
Jonathan said both the national and urban housing policies were specifically developed and implemented to accomplish this important objective.
He stressed that his administration had identified clearly that the private sector remained key to the success of the development agenda of the administration and would encourage partnership with private investors.
President Jonathan also disclosed on the occasion the determination of the Federal Government to recapitalise the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and strengthen the Federal Ministry of Lands and Urban Development, Federal Housing Authority and all other institutions of the government in the building sector.
He added that considering the centrality of their roles towards actualisation of the overall objectives of the government, “these institutions will sustain with greater vigour the implementation of existing policies on housing and urban renewal.”
He said the Federal Government was more determined to bridge the existing gap between the housing needs and the availability.
According to him, “there is no doubt that on completion, this project will boost the morale, productivity, security and welfare of the beneficiaries.”
Minister of Interior, Comrade Moro, in his remark, disclosed that Messrs Byuan Resources Ltd had already acquired parcels of land in 24 state capitals of the federation, including FCT, for the execution of the housing project
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