Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Kalu, has called on stakeholders in the Housing sector to synergise with the 10th House to fix the inherent housing challenges, assuring that the parliament was willing to work with the stakeholders to meet the people’s shelter needs.
Kalu made the call in his goodwill message as a special guest at the 17th Africa International Conference on Housing in Abuja, yesterday.
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Represented by his chief of staff, Hon Toby Okechukwu, the deputy speaker said the report placed Lagos, Ibadan, Kano, and Abuja as cities that have 20 percent rise in housing needs yearly.
He said, “I would like to start with a look at the current state of housing in Nigeria. As you know, it is self-evident that we have a huge housing deficit present in Nigeria.
“According to the World Bank, Lagos, Ibadan, Kano, and Abuja, has a 20 percent rise in housing needs yearly. Current total output in the formal housing sector is estimated at no more than 100,000 units.
“While well corroborated data does not exist, it is clear that the formal sector is only producing a fraction of the total number of urban units needed each year. This is a major problem, as it has a negative impact on our economy and on the quality of life of our citizens.
“The housing deficit in Nigeria is a major challenge that needs to be addressed. The 10th House of Representatives, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, is committed to working with stakeholders to find solutions.
“The 10th House of Representatives is willing and able to partner with stakeholders to enable Nigerians benefit from an improved housing sector. We are willing when approached by stakeholder inputs to expend our legislative powers to fixing Nigeria’s housing sector challenges.”
Kalu also expressed displeasure with the mortgage system that had apparently made it difficult for the common man to own a house; and the divergent views of Nigerians on the Land Use Act.
He said the lawmakers still has a duty of enacting impactful legislations, adding that: “the lack of affordable housing finance is a major problem.”
“Whatever your views are on the Land Use Act, we as legislators by the Constitution and by law are duty bound to legislate for the order and good governance of Nigeria. The Housing Sector is definitely part of it,” he added.