The federal government has announced its plans to upgrade 26 slums across the six regions of the country. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Ahmed Dangiwa disclosed that this initiative aims to uplift the living standards of residents and address the challenges faced by the urban poor. Dangiwa, who spoke during his keynote address at the 12th meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development in Kaduna State, expressed his commitment to revolutionize the narrative surrounding housing and urban development in the country.
Emphasizing President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to prioritizing housing, the minister highlighted the ministry’s aim to carry out the ‘most historic’ reforms in the sector. According to him, this would be accomplished by implementing strategies that foster a conducive atmosphere for more accessible, secure, and lucrative Private Sector Investment in the sector. He expressed that the current administration’s agenda revolved around four crucial presidential priorities: fostering Economic Growth and creating jobs, ensuring access to capital, promoting social inclusion and eradicating Poverty.
Aim is to deliver 34,500 homes across 30 states.
To reach these goals, he said, “We need a ‘All of Government’ approach” and initiatives that encourage perpetual cooperation between all levels of government, the private sector, and relevant international organisations that operate within the housing sector. He reaffirmed the plan to form a national land commission that would partially be saddled with the responsibility of providing transparent guidelines for the Land Use Act’s implementation and thereby pave the way for more efficient land administration in the country.
Additionally, the minister revealed that the phase 1 of the “Renewed Hope Cities and Estates” is ready to commence, with the goal of delivering 34,500 homes across 30 states in the federation. Through its Slum Upgrading Programme, the Ministry plans to enhance the living standard of slum residents and urban poor by constructing and renovating vital Infrastructure and providing auxiliary services in 26 slums across the six regions of the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He said that numerous options, such as rent-to-own, public rental, mortgage loans, and outright sales, have already been designed to assure affordability for Nigerians.
Government has taken steps to enhance the housing supply.
Dangiwa stated that Kaduna was among the first states in the nation to adopt and enact the Model Mortgage Foreclosure Law (MMFL), which facilitates and encourages housing investments and the growth of mortgage development activities. During his speech, the esteemed guest of honour, the executive Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, who was represented by the Commissioner of Housing and Urban Development, Aminu Shagali, disclosed that the government has taken steps to enhance the housing supply by directly constructing 624 Affordable Housing units.
He mentioned that the state also plans to build a total of 222 houses, ranging from 1 to 4 bedrooms, including terraces and duplexes both directly and through partnerships. He said the state had collaborated with 52 developers to construct a total of 20,000 to 30,000 houses, which are currently around 50 percent completed. The governor emphasized the state’s commitment to working together with the federal government to ensure that Nigerians have access to quality and affordable housing. He also extended a welcome to the Investors to explore opportunities in the state.
Adequate funding is vital in achieving positive progress.
In his goodwill message, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing, emphasized the crucial role of adequate funding in achieving positive progress in the housing and urban development sector. Recognizing the challenges of securing funding, he emphasized that this obstacle was not insurmountable given that housing Construction still remains as a means of wealth redistribution and advocated for its promotion. Tambuwal also gave assurances of the National Assembly backing to achieve the outcomes of the council’s decisions.
