PROPERTY NEWS

The MTN Foundation (MTNF), the corporate social investment vehicle of telecommunications company, MTN, has handed over 100 housing units built for low income earners in Karu, Nasarawa State, to Habitat for Humanity (HFH) for management..

MTNF partnered with HFH, a global property non-governmental organisation, to build the 100 units of two-bedroom flats in an expansive fenced estate in Karu. The estate is complete with a road network, drainage system, potable tap water and an electricity transformer.

"The transfer of this estate to Habitat for Humanity for management marks the successful completion of the project which cost MTNF a total of N117 million," said Wale Goodluck, Corporate Services Executive, MTN.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Ms. Nonny Nduka-Eze, Executive Secretary, MTNF, said the project was embarked upon as a result of the challenge of the dearth of decent accommodation in the country.

"Our cities are beset by the challenges of urbanisation which among other things include acute shortage of decent accommodation, compelling dwellers, especially low income earners to live in squalid conditions. This is MTN Foundation’s contribution to government’s efforts to improve the situation," she said.

Habitat for Humanity Regional Director, Donne Cameron, showered encomiums on MTN Foundation for funding the project and for showing uncommon determination to complete it against all odds.

"Comfortable and affordable housing is key to economic development of any country. By funding this project, MTN Foundation has demonstrated its commitment to facilitating economic development and social transformation of Nigeria," says Cameron.

In his own remarks, the Executive Secretary of Karu Local Government, Mr. Akura Maiganga, who represented the local government chairman, commended MTNF for the initiative and promised that the local government would look into the expansion of the road that leads to the estate. He urged other organisations to emulate MTN.

A symbolic key to the estate was handed over to Ms. Donne Cameron, who represented the CEO, Habitat for Humanity, and the National Director, Mr Ezekiel Ojo, by Nduka-Eze, supported by the District Head, Karu, Ayuba Dogo and the Executive Secretary of Karu Local Government, Mr. Maiganga, in the presence of the home owners led by the President of the Home Owners Association, Cletus Jaja.

The MTN Foundation has committed over N4 billion in executing various projects under its three portfolios, which include health, education and economic empowerment. It currently has 160 projects sites in 33