Widening housing deficit worries govt

The Federal Government has expressed a deep concern on the widening housing deficit ravaging the country, urging the built industry to engage constructively and advance implementable recommendations capable of strengthening land governance, revitalising Nigerian cities and reducing the housing deficit.

Speaking at the opening of the 14th Meeting of the National Housing Council in Kwara State, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Muhktar Umar, urged the industrialists to develop implementable policies aimed at producing effective land management and administration.

He also called for national land governance frameworks; promotion of local building materials and technologies; urban renewal and regeneration; public–private partnerships; and innovative housing finance strategies.

Furthermore, he stressed the need to engage constructively, share best practices, and advance implementable recommendations capable of strengthening land governance, revitalising Nigerian cities, reducing the housing deficit, and improving citizens’ quality of life.

In a statement, Umar stated that the council meeting should reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive engagement, co-operative federalism, and evidence-driven policymaking as essential pillars for addressing the nation’s housing and urban development challenges.

 “The meeting brings together critical stakeholders in the housing sector to chart a sustainable path for housing delivery, urban development, land administration and management in Nigeria,

“It represents the apex advisory body for the sector and draws participation from the commissioners, permanent secretaries, directors, state surveyors-general, and other key actors in the built environment across the federation.

 “The theme for the meeting is ‘Achieving Housing Delivery and Sustainable Cities through Effective Land Management, Urban Renewal, Promotion of Local Building Materials, and Public–Private Partnerships in Nigeria,” the statement explained

The theme, according to the Director, PRS, reflects the urgent national imperative to respond holistically to rapid urbanisation, population growth, climate change impacts, and Nigeria’s widening housing deficit through innovative and practical solutions.

 “The sessions will focus on deliberations over critical sectoral issues, consideration of memoranda submitted by states and stakeholders, review of the implementation status of resolutions from the 13th Council Meeting held in Gombe, and refinement of policy proposals for higher-level review” the statement noted.

Kwara State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Segun Ogunsola noted that the theme of the council meeting is apt as it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Meanwhile, the 14th National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development is expected to produce far-reaching resolutions that will guide policy direction and implementation across all tiers of government in the sector.

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