The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry to be working with relevant government institutions, development partners, professional bodies and other stakeholders to deliver on the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda.

Darma who spoke when he received the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Babatunde Adeniran Adejumo, during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja,saying that “No matter how big and large the task ahead is, it is possible to bridge the gap.”

The Housing Minister welcomed the proposed collaboration with the Judicial Institute and assured the delegation that the Judiciary would be carried along in the implementation of the Federal Government’s ongoing housing initiatives in the country.

He explained that the Ministry was working tirelessly to address Nigeria’s housing deficit, estimated at about fifteen(15) million housing units, acknowledging that closing the gap remains a huge national responsibility.

According to him, although the scale of the housing challenge is enormous, it is achievable through sustained commitment, effective partnerships, strategic planning and collective efforts by government institutions and other relevant stakeholders.

Darma therefore assured the NJI that the Judiciary would be part of the Ministry’s ongoing housing projects across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, stressing that judicial officers and court personnel would not be left out of the Government’s housing interventions.

The Minister further explained that the Ministry’s housing initiatives are being implemented with a broad national outlook, covering different locations and levels of government, including the States and Local Government Areas.

 “We recognise the importance of providing decent and affordable accommodation for Nigerians and would continue to explore partnerships and institutional collaborations capable of supporting the achievement of the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda.”

While commending the leadership of the Institute for demonstrating concern for the welfare of its personnel and for seeking opportunities that could improve their living conditions, he added, housing deficit requires a collective and coordinated approach, adding that no single institution can resolve the challenge in isolation.

However,he particularly appreciated the Institute’s interest in ensuring that its staff are carried along in the broader national development agenda, describing the initiative as a demonstration of responsible institutional leadership.

Earlier, the Administrator of the NJI, Justice Babatunde Adeniran Adejumo, commended the Ministry for its efforts towards addressing the nation’s housing deficit, explaining, they have conference facilities and other resources that could be utilised for relevant training programmes.

He expressed the readiness of the NJI to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in advancing the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda, particularly in the areas of human capacity development, training and institutional support.

Administrator further stated that, the proposed collaboration with the Housing ministry is expected to strengthen institutional cooperation between the two organisations while providing opportunities for capacity building, knowledge sharing and professional development in support of the housing programmes.

” The Institute is saddled with the responsibility of providing training, capacity building and continuing education for judicial officers and court personnel. The Institute is willing to collaborate with the Ministry in whatever legitimate and lawful manner that could contribute to the success of its programmes

He hinted that collaboration would be undertaken legitimately and in accordance with the law, without compromising the independence, integrity or constitutional responsibilities of the Judiciary. It also emphasised that the partnership would be structured within the respective mandates of both institutions

He however appealed to the Minister to give due consideration to the Judiciary in the allocation of houses, noting that judicial officers and court personnel also have housing needs that should be accommodated within the Federal Government’s broader housing interventions.

” The collaboration could also create opportunities for the two institutions to share expertise and develop capacity-building programmes relevant to the effective implementation of housing policies and programmes” he stated

“The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development remains committed to implementing policies and programmes that will expand access to decent, safe and affordable housing for Nigerians and contribute to the realisation of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”