By Perpetua Onuegbu
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Ahmed Dangiwa, has said he and his state counterpart, will champion land and institutional reforms to create enabling environment for housing delivery and job creation.
Dangiwa said this during an interactive session with heads of agencies and directors in the ministry on Tuesday, said they were committed to delivering President Bola Tinubu’s vision in the housing sector.
He was in the company of the Minister of State Alhaji Abdullahi Gwarzo
According to him there are numerous challenges in the sector but they determined to turn them into opportunities whereby jobs will be created and inclusive growth will be enhanced.
“We are facing numerous challenges, but with challenges come opportunities for growth and progress. With rapid population growth, the demand for housing in our nation is ever increasing and it is our duty to rise to the occasion and meet these needs head-on.
“In line with the vision of President Bola Tinubu, I promise to take bold initiatives, champion strategic housing reforms, and break systemic barriers to housing and urban development.
“Amongst several plans and priorities, we will work closely with the National Assembly to review relevant laws to streamline land administration and create a conducive environment for investment in the housing sector.”
As part of his priorities, he also promised to get accurate data on the housing deficit in the country, saying he does not agree with the current numbers bandied about.
Dangiwa said he did not agree with the current data on housing deficit like the ministers before him.
He added that the problem was that no one had made efforts to come out with the correct figure which was the right thing to do.
“So my priority is that and I mentioned it even during my screening; that I will engage the services of data consultants who would go round the country and get the needed data.
“I am also aware that The National Population Commission (NPC) will conduct a census on housing and the number of persons in need of homes. We have started conversations on that even before our inauguration.
“I have met with the chairman of the NPC and discussions are ongoing and I promise to make sure the relevant data on housing is made available soon. It is a task we have been given and we will make sure it is delivered.”
“If we know the number of houses in the country and the number of our population. We should know the average household number and if we have ten persons per household which equal 10 million then we need 1 million houses.
“So housing deficit will be known soon because it is very disheartening for us to go to international events to be asked about several housing deficits and we can’t provide answers. Within the next couple of months, we are going to address that issue”, he said.