Nigeria opens housing partnership talks with China Railway subsidiary TEC Engineering
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The Federal Government says it is ready to deepen engagement with TEC Engineering (Nigeria), a China Railway International Group subsidiary, on large-scale housing delivery, urban renewal and public-private partnerships.
The Federal Government has expressed readiness to deepen engagement with TEC Engineering Company (Nigeria) Limited, a subsidiary of China Railway International Group, in the areas of large-scale housing development, urban renewal and public-private partnerships (PPPs).
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Shuaib Belgore, spoke when he received a delegation led by China Railway International Group President Zhao Jinxiang on a courtesy visit to the ministry in Abuja.
Belgore said Nigeria was open to entities capable of building houses in very large volumes, noting that the country's housing deficit is estimated at about 15 million units and that closing it over the next decade would require strong partnerships with the private sector.
He said the ministry was pursuing direct construction, PPPs and collaboration with private developers to deliver affordable homes, and that urban renewal efforts would extend beyond housing to roads, water, drainage, electricity and healthcare facilities within communities.
Belgore acknowledged delays in budgetary releases and encouraged the company to sustain its pace of work on the covered conduits and roads project it is executing in Kano State, while welcoming its interest in areas such as urban infrastructure, underground ducts and wastewater treatment.
Zhao said TEC Engineering had implemented more than 80 projects across 12 states in Nigeria, with about 30 Chinese and over 500 Nigerian employees, and that its operations had provided work opportunities for more than 10,000 people in local communities.