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.