FG urges states, others to bridge housing gap

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa has urged the state governments and private developers to play a critical role in bridging the housing gap through exploring funding options to deplete the current deficit in Nigeria.

Dangiwa asserted this at the groundbreaking for 10,000 housing units in Enugu, explaining, that to address the issues, “we need solutions, such as private sector developers, housing finance institutions, and both local and international, philanthropic bodies, and well-meaning Nigerians.”

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He expressed delight that Governor Peter Mbah and others are interested in Graceland Estate being developed by COPEN Group under the broad framework of the Renewed Hope Housing Programme.

The Minister said such projects were in line with the focus of the administration towards the delivery of affordable houses to Nigerians, by creating the enabling environment for private sector players to thrive.

“As you may be aware, the housing challenge in our country is huge. Statistics show that to address this problem, we need to build approximately 550,000 units annually over the next ten years, which would require about N5.5 trillion per annum,” he said.

While decrying the enormous challenge that the deficit poses, Dangiwa asserted that the situation must be perceived as an opportunity to innovate and bring about solutions that will trigger sustainable housing delivery in Nigeria not just in the short-term, but for future generations as well.

“This huge deficit is the result of ineffective implementation of housing policies, suboptimal performance of housing delivery institutions, an undeveloped housing market, an untapped secondary mortgage market, and, of course, a tough macroeconomic environment,” he said.

He noted that the results are visible already.

“In just over one year, we have commenced construction work for a total of 6,612 units across 13 states and the FCT, with many of these units now at advanced stages of completion. We intend to complete most of them by December, so Nigerians can begin to own these homes,” he said.

“We commend the Governor for creating the enabling environment and making available 260 hectares in a viable location for private sector participation in housing development in the State.”

Dangiwa also commended the Managing Director/Chief Executive of Copen Group, Rev. Dr. Sullivan Chime, describing him as a good friend, housing stakeholder, and advocate for affordable housing, for the example he is setting in the state and beyond.

Earlier, Governor Mbah, represented by the Deputy, Bar. Ifeanyi Ossai, hailed the initiative by COPEN Group, owned by an illustrious son of Enugu State, calling for support of the Ministry for the project through the planned 2,000-unit Renewed Hope City.

He charged stakeholders to do more to bring down the cost of building construction and invest in research to find a way to creatively make the project affordable and accessible to the people.