BY FAIZA JIBRIN
In a move to tackle the housing deficit in Maiduguri, the Borno State Government has entered into a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with Thinklab Group Limited to complete abandoned housing projects.
The initiative is expected to directly impact women, children, and vulnerable groups in the state.
The partnership, signed in Maiduguri on Monday, will see the completion of 404 housing units in Bakassi GRA along Biu Road and 190 units in Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno Teacher's Village along Pompomari Bypass.
The agreement was presided over by the commissioner for works and housing, Engr. Mustapha Gubio, and witnessed by key government officials, including Permanent Secretary Engr. Ali Baware and Special Adviser Engr. Kori Shettima.
Representing Thinklab Group Limited was its Chairman, Dr. Sa’id Alkali Kori.
In a statement obtained on Monday from the ministry of information and internal security, under the terms, Thinklab Group Limited will finance the project as equity investment, while the Borno State Government will contribute the uncompleted housing units.
According to the statement, revenue from the completed homes will be shared at a 60-40 ratio, favoring Thinklab Group Limited.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Commissioner Gubio emphasized the government's commitment to leveraging private-sector partnerships to accelerate housing development.
He urged Thinklab Group Limited to ensure high-quality construction that meets the needs of prospective occupants, particularly vulnerable groups.
The housing units, once completed, are expected to benefit low-income families, IDPs transitioning out of camps, and public servants in need of affordable accommodation.
The strategic location of the housing estates, Bakassi GRA and Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno Teacher’s Village, ensures access to essential services such as schools, healthcare facilities, and markets.
The project aligns with the government’s broader resettlement and reintegration plans, ensuring that displaced persons and vulnerable groups have access to safe, sustainable living conditions.
While in his remarks, Dr. Sa’id Alkali Kori, Chairman of Thinklab Group Limited, praised the Borno State Government for fostering a business-friendly environment and pledged to deliver quality housing while empowering local communities.
With Borno State making significant strides in post-insurgency recovery, the housing initiative marks another step towards rebuilding communities and fostering resilience among those most affected by conflict.
While the project is a major boost to housing development in Maiduguri, stakeholders are calling for transparent allocation processes to ensure that the homes reach those in genuine need, particularly women-led households, orphans, and the elderly.
As construction progresses, the success of this initiative could serve as a model for further public-private collaborations aimed at addressing critical infrastructure gaps in Borno and beyond.