FG Unveils Portal to Tackle Housing Estate Fraud

The Federal Government has unveiled a digital portal that allows Nigerians to report fraudulent activities in housing estates, submit evidence, and track the progress of their complaints.

The initiative falls under the oversight of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (FMHUD).

According to Nairametrics, the disclosure was made in a statement released by the Ministry on Tuesday. The portal, accessible via https://reports.fmhud.gov.ng, provides citizens with a safe and user-friendly platform to report fraud in housing estates across the country. Complaints will be reviewed in collaboration with stakeholders, including professional bodies, law enforcement agencies, and the judiciary.

“The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has launched a Housing Fraud Reporting web-based platform aimed at allowing citizens to report incidents of fraud in housing estates. The platform with the sub-domain name  https://reports.fmhud.gov.ng enables users to submit complaints and share relevant evidence and information on fraudulent practices in the real estate sector, in the country,” the statement read in part.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, explained that the initiative aligns with the 2012 National Housing Policy, which emphasizes stronger regulation of the housing industry, certification of estate developers, and the protection of citizens from fraudulent actors.

He noted that the policy also requires an efficient regulatory framework to monitor housing delivery and ensure all professionals are properly registered.

In addition to the fraud reporting platform, the Ministry also introduced the Contract Performance and Compliance Project Monitoring System (CPCPMS). The tool allows real-time monitoring of housing projects, evaluates contractor performance, and provides a centralized repository for project documents and payments.

Dr. Marcus Amiolemen, Deputy Director and Head of the ICT Department, highlighted that both platforms demonstrate the Ministry’s commitment to protecting citizens and improving service delivery.

He further noted that the fraud portal was developed in partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for effective tracking and follow-up on reported cases.

The launch event featured technical demonstrations by consultants Messrs Freestone Investments Limited and Prunedge Development Technologies Limited. The Ministry emphasized that fraudulent practices in the housing sector will no longer be tolerated, warning that offenders will face the full weight of the law.

The Housing Ministry has in recent times launched several digital platforms to strengthen oversight of the real estate sector. Earlier in May 2024, the government introduced the Renewed Hope Housing Online Portal, designed to manage the marketing and sale of homes under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estate Programme. The portal allows users to search for properties, register, and access mortgage plans with flexible payment options.

With the addition of the Housing Fraud Reporting Portal, Nigerians now have a direct channel to report fraudulent activities in housing estates while promoting transparency and accountability in the real estate sector nationwide.