By Abdulrahman Abdullahi
Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has commenced its housing project in Anambra State with call on government for assistance.
The NARD National President, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, made the appeal at the foundation-stone laying ceremony for the estate in Awka, Anambra State.
Okhuaihesuyi described the ceremony as the commencement of the journey towards the realisation of the dream that every doctor should own his or her personal house.
He said the project would help reduce the brain drain in the medical sector, especially in this COVID-19 pandemic era when the nation’s health sector is overstretched.
The president called on state governments to provide land for the association so that they could execute housing schemes for medical doctors in various states, stressing that they need land at an affordable rate with Certificates of Occupancy for effective take off.
Okhuaihesuyi, who disclosed that no fewer than 3,000 members had begun contribution to the NARD House Scheme across the country, urged state governors and FCT minister to make land available to the association.
“We want state governors and authorities at the FCT to support the doctors housing scheme because of the multiplier effect it will have on the nations health sector.
“Affordable housing for doctors will reduce the rate at which Nigerian doctors are leaving for other countries in search of better working conditions, at the moment the brain drain is alarming,” he said.
He commended Nigerians and doctors in particular for helping NARD to actualise the scheme, promising to ensure that the project is delivered within the agreed time.
He recalled that his members had a meeting with the Director-General, Nigeria Governors Forum, a few weeks ago, where they presented the issue of making land available for NARD in their various states and he promised that they would discussed it.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Daniel-Bob Limited, Chief Daniel Orji, who is the project developer said that the first 200 housing units of the project in Anambra would be delivered within 18 months.
He said facilities in the estate would include good access/streets, schools, churches, recreation centre and police post. Orji lauded the NARD for taking advantage of mortgage financing to help their members get homes.
He, however, appealed to the Federal Government to check the rising cost of building materials to enable Nigerians own homes.