By ABUBAKAR YUSUF

The Managing Director, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Rt Honourable Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, has said that the investment in infrastructure by the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is unwavering, to provide more affordable shelter for ordinary Nigerians under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Ojo said this on Monday at FHA headquarters, Abuja while declaring open the bid to construct 7400 housing units across 36 states and the FCT, with each state providing 200 housing units.

The first historic event, according to Ojo was in line with the procurement act , management decisions to advance probity, transparency and accountability in all its processes.

The process which commenced from the South South geopolitical zone which consists of Akwa Ibom, Rivers , Cross River, and Bayelsa was characterised with roll calls of companies that applied for the job lots and opening of each of the biding documents by the procurement department, that took over ten hours.

According to the Managing Director, aside instilling transparency and accountability in its activities, the separate dates for each geopolitical zones was to avoid stampede, sanity and duplication by the FHA.

He restated the commitment of FHA to upholding the policy of non -interference, personal interest by the management in the official conducts, while warming the entities that applied for jobs to avoid duplication and sharp practices.

?This is the first phase of the process taking place in 17 states of the federation. We will roll out the second phase as soon as possible with utmost confidence and transparency,? Oladimeji Ojo stated.

The Federal Housing Authority FHA declared open its maiden 2000 bids beginning from the South South geopolitical zone, while other zones like the North West, South East, North East, North Central, and South West will follow subsequently from December 30, 2024 to January 7, 2025.

While declaring the bid open, he acknowledged the presence of members of the Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, the Bureau of Public Procurement BPP, among other observers that occasioned the transparent process as part of FHA plans to uphold a good process.

CSOs present at the occasion were CISLAC, Zero Corruption, Hephzibah Initiative for Peace and Development, Cornerstone Liberty and Love Foundation, among many others that witnessed the process of bid opening.They all commended the FHA management for adhering strictly to the laid down procedures that commenced with companies? enumeration, identification and unveiling of the bid documents in line with Public Procurement Act.

Some of the contractors also present at the occasion expressed confidence at the process, while promising to deliver quality jobs to the admiration of all Nigerians when given the opportunity.