The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa, says the Federal Government is planning to establish a National Social Housing Fund (NSHF) for low income earners.

The minister stated this in his keynote address at the opening of the maiden Kaduna International Housing Exhibition, held at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall, Kaduna on Monday.

Dangiwa explained that the NSHF would pool funds from the government budget, philanthropic organizations and well-meaning Nigerians to provide decent shelter for citizens who cannot afford to own homes.

The minister also added that statistics have shown that almost half of Nigeria’s population of over 201 million, were poor and have weak purchasing power.

“Out of the 43 million households, over 85 per cent have less than N1.1 million purchasing power.

“40 per cent (about 17.2million) households fall into the poverty income group and 47 per cent (about 20.2million), fall into the low-income group.

“On the whole, statistics revealed that Nigeria is a low-income country, as it has only 13 percent of its population as middle class. The recent macroeconomic challenges including inflation have made things worse,” he said.

Dangiwa also revealed that some of the housing units would be delivered at no cost, adding that the ministry had developed the concept note, which was undergoing review.

He further explained that once the review was concluded, it would be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval and legislation.

“Social housing is not only a necessity, it is also a security insurance for the rich and the poor, because housing is capital intensive and the government has limited funds.

“We must find alternative collective avenues to help our brothers and sisters who are underprivileged, it is for our collective good.

“In this way the underprivileged will know that we are one, that we are our brothers keepers and that will help social cohesion, understanding and peace.” he highlighted.

Dangiwa commended Gov. Uba San’s administration, for its practical, inclusive and pragmatic vision for housing delivery, part of which led to the organisation of the exhibition.

While speaking, Sani stated that the provision of affordable houses for Kaduna citizens was a priority of his administration, adding that the government was committed to addressing the housing deficit.

Sani, represented by his deputy, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, stated that the state had adopted different approaches to address the housing deficit, which included partnering with local and international investors.

Other approaches, he said, wwe the Social Housing Scheme, Development Lease Agreement (DLA), Public Housing Corporation, site and services.

“We must create and innovate to make affordable houses available to our people. We must work to address our housing deficits as a conscious and deliberate effort to restore our collective dignity,” Sani said.

Speaking earlier, the Managing Director, Kaduna State Development and Property Company (KSDPC), Mr Abubakar Rabiu, said the company was set to embark on some key housing and housing infrastructure projects.

He explained that the projects included ‘Ultramodern Mechanics Village’, for the Eastern Sector of Kaduna metropolis, featuring an Electric Vehicle (EV) Assembly Plant and ‘CNG Conversion Stations’.

There is also ‘Electric Vehicle Charger Manufacturing’, and strategically located electric vehicles charging points.

Others are, a 5-star hospital with doctor quarters, a private university to be named ABSAAR University and a building materials village to service the Eastern Sector of Kaduna metropolis.

Also, there will be trucks and ‘Heavy-Duty Mechanics Village’, which were expected to attract and facilitate the construction and delivery of at least 2000 mixed-type housing units across Kaduna metropolis within the next five years.

Culled from Daily Times Nigeria