To ensure affordable houses and mitigate housing deficits in Kogi State, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is organising a two-day symposium of stakeholders in the housing sector in the state.

Announcing this in Lokoja on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Housing and Urban Development, Taiye Abanika, said the symposium with the theme “Modern Housing and Urban Renewal in Kogi State” is to galvanise ideas from stakeholders.

He noted that the governor of the state, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has been working very hard towards providing houses for all in the state, particularly the less privileged, saying that this was part of his campaign promises to the citizens.

He noted that the ministry, though newly created, is already leveraging on the platform of the federal government under the renewed hope agenda of Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s administration to ensure decent and affordable houses for the people

He said, “200 hecters of Land has been provided for the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to build well over 1000 housing units in the state.”

He noted that all the preliminary works towards providing houses for the workers are on and have been captured in the 2025 draft budget, which he said will soon be presented to the House of Assembly for approval.

“All these will help to bring down the cost of accommodation in the state. The stakeholders’ meeting will come up with a blueprint that will help in policy formulation and fashioning out the processes of ensuring affordable houses for the citizenry.

He added that as part of the activities, the stakeholders will also embark on a roadshow to create awareness of the need for urban renewal and regeneration.