The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is embarking on a comprehensive nationwide audit of its properties and land holdings. This initiative, spearheaded by Permanent Secretary Dr. Shuaib Belgore, aims to ascertain the current status of these assets and streamline the collection of ground rent. Recognizing the vastness of this undertaking, the ministry plans to establish dedicated task teams in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. These teams will comprise key stakeholders, including the state’s Federal Controller of Housing, representatives from both the state and the Federal Housing Authority, and will be chaired by the Surveyor-General of the Federation. This collaborative structure ensures local expertise is leveraged while maintaining national oversight and consistency. The initiative signifies a move towards greater transparency and accountability in the management of public assets.
Dr. Belgore has underscored the ministry’s commitment to providing the necessary resources to facilitate the effective functioning of these task teams. This includes financial provisions for fieldwork and evaluation, ensuring that logistical constraints do not hinder the progress of the audits. He emphasized the critical link between field audits and professional oversight in ensuring quality and efficiency in project execution. Regular field supervision and open communication channels between the state controllers and the ministry’s headquarters will be crucial for providing real-time updates on progress and addressing any challenges that arise. This proactive approach aims to minimize delays and ensure that the audits are conducted thoroughly and accurately.
Teamwork, hard work, and a focus on quality project execution have been identified as the cornerstones of the ministry’s success. Dr. Belgore emphasized the pivotal role of the state housing controllers in coordinating the ministry’s projects within their respective states and ensuring seamless execution. Recognizing the practical nature of project management, he stressed the importance of hands-on field experience. The controllers will be responsible not only for overseeing current projects but also for training and mentoring new officers, thereby ensuring the continuity of expertise within the ministry.
Addressing the ministry’s human capacity challenges, particularly the impending retirement of experienced officers, Dr. Belgore outlined plans to recruit seasoned professionals and implement robust training and mentoring programs. The state controllers, given their extensive field experience, will play a crucial role in these training initiatives. This proactive approach to succession planning underlines the ministry’s commitment to maintaining a skilled workforce and ensuring the smooth transition of knowledge and experience. By engaging experienced professionals and investing in training programs, the ministry aims to bridge the potential gap created by retiring personnel.
The state Federal Controllers, during the interactive session, raised a critical issue regarding the security of ministry projects in their respective states. They appealed for the renewal of contracts for facility managers, highlighting the vulnerability of these projects to vandalism and encroachment if left unattended. This request underscores the importance of ongoing maintenance and security measures to safeguard public assets. The ministry’s responsiveness to this concern will be crucial in ensuring the long-term viability and usefulness of these projects.
The meeting between the Permanent Secretary and the Federal Controllers, convened at the behest of Director of Human Resources Akinola Adeshina, aimed to foster synergy between the ministry’s headquarters and its state offices. This collaborative approach, where field experiences and challenges are directly communicated to the leadership, promises to improve decision-making and enhance the overall effectiveness of the ministry. By establishing a clear channel of communication and fostering a collaborative environment, the ministry aims to address challenges proactively and ensure that its projects are implemented efficiently and effectively across the country. This open dialogue is a crucial step in aligning the ministry’s strategic goals with the realities on the ground.
