IHRC-We want to reduce 28 million housing deficit in Nigeria

The Director and Ambassador of the Africa Region Headquarters of the commission, Dr Tivlumun Ahure, stated this while briefing newsmen in Abuja recently.

He said that the objective was to contribute to the efforts of the Nigerian government to achieve the affordable housing goal listed in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) before 2030.

He argued that for the country to increase and improve housing opportunities for low and moderate-income households, and the special needs population, among others, concerted efforts at reducing it is required.

According to Ahhure, “Indeed, Nigeria faces a severe housing deficit as estimated by the Federal Mortgage Bank indicating a deficit of at least 28 million housing units.

“While the deficit cannot be addressed within the lifetime of an administration, a concerted effort at reducing it is, however, clearly required.

“This will entail creating linkages between the provision of land to property developers, increased availability of housing finance, reduction in property transaction costs and job creation across sectors ancillary to the provision of additional housing stock.”

He stated that in January 2021, the commission communicated to the Federal Government its intention to assist millions of people that live in slums and substandard houses to have adequate housing.

“The IHRC’s proposed pro-poor housing scheme in Nigeria is, therefore, going to be on a joint venture basis with the government.

“It will be to us a dream come true to facilitate an increase in housing stock via Public Private Partnerships (PPP) as well as through housing finance reforms,” he said.

On his part, the newly appointed Director of the commission, Dr. Edward Olutoke, lamented the economic situation in the country.

He said, “More than 75% of Nigerians are living below the poverty line. Less than $2 a day then something is fundamentally wrong. So, the religion that brought us to this level is a very bad religion and the distortion system that brought us to this level is a terrible system.

The political system that navigated us to this point is a terrible one and unless we do something as shocking as what the International Human Rights Commission is doing right now, we are not going get out of this quagmire,” he said.

Olutoke said that housing is key and important to every Nigerian as “it is fundamental to have a shelter over one’s head.

“For me this is an assignment which I am committed to achieving.

“Housing is key, shelter is too key and fundamental and these are the things we toil within our decision making process.

“For instance, If we move 5,000 families moved from Asokoro or within the city centre to a new land, the house rents will definitely reduce and so the issue of high house rents will be a thing of the past,” he posited. decision-making