Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has issued a C of O to FMBN for a new workers’ housing estate in Ibusa, waiving N200m in fees to ease access to affordable housing

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has presented a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to facilitate the construction of a new workers’ housing estate in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area.

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The 10.1-hectare estate is aimed at addressing the housing needs of junior and middle-level workers, who the governor noted spend a significant portion of their salaries on rent.

Speaking during the presentation ceremony at Government House, Asaba, Oborevwori stated:

“Most of the salaries of our junior and middle-level workers are consumed by rent. That is why this housing scheme is so important.”

He emphasized the importance of timely delivery and accessibility, urging the bank to prioritize the actual beneficiaries in the implementation process.

Although the C of O had been prepared since January 2024, the governor revealed that administrative delays had postponed its presentation.

In a major show of commitment, the state government waived statutory fees totaling approximately ₦200 million to facilitate the land transfer.

“We did this in the interest of workers’ welfare,” the governor added.

The FMBN delegation, led by Dr. Mohammed Sani Abdul, Executive Director of Loans and Mortgage Services, praised the Delta State government for its cooperation and progressive housing policy.

Abdul called on local government councils to actively contribute to the National Housing Fund, noting that this would help bring affordable housing to the grassroots.

“We have about nine projects ongoing across Nigeria. With the Renewed Hope Mega Mini-City project of Mr. President, we aim to bring housing to the bottom of the pyramid — and Delta is key to that plan,” Abdul said.

He reaffirmed FMBN’s mission to reduce the national housing deficit, which currently stands between 20 and 22 million units, through innovative mortgage and construction loan solutions.

• Location: Core Area 2, Ibusa, Oshimili North LGA
• Size: 10.1 hectares
• Partnership: Delta State Government, FMBN, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC)
• Purpose: Affordable housing for junior and middle-level workers
• Fees Waived: ₦200 million in statutory acquisition charges

This development is part of the Oborevwori administration’s broader agenda to improve workers’ welfare and infrastructure in Delta State.

The move has been widely praised by labor unions and public sector workers as a meaningful step toward affordable housing and economic relief.

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The Delta workers housing estate initiative represents a forward-thinking collaboration between government, organized labor, and financial institutions — aimed at solving one of the most pressing needs of Nigeria’s workforce: affordable housing.