Govt – Nigeria Has 17 Million Housing Deficit

The federal government has disclosed that the nation currently has an estimated 17 million housing deficit.

Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo disclosed this in Abuja yesterday during the National Housing and Slum Summit.

The summit themed, “Developing a National Strategy for Mass Housing Delivery and Slum Upgrading” was organised by the federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.

The vice president, who reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing the housing deficit, assured of the promotion of sustainable urbanisation and implementation of the universal principles for slum upgrading and prevention “in line with articulated sectoral, policies and strategies.”

Sambo directed government agencies to relocate slum dwellers only after adequate dialogue with them.

According to him, issues regarding freedom of choice, respect for human rights, respect for human dignity and other forms of individual liberties are paramount in a democratic setting.

“We must recognise that slums are not only shanties and filthy settlements, but people and indeed inhabitants who have emotional attachments to their dwelling spaces. Efforts aimed at relocating slum dwellers or providing alternative living spaces for them should be undertaken to provide them with better choices through continuous engagements and dialogue,” he said.

Sambo, who urged stakeholders to collaborate with the government in its quest to provide affordable housing and eradicate slum development, said: “In developing the proposed National Strategy for Mass Housing Delivery and Slum Upgrading, it is important to note that while mass housing provision and slum prevention are intertwined, the eradication of slums cannot be realised through the building of houses alone.”

Supervising Minister of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Musa Sada, said the summit was organised to provide a platform for stakeholders to rub minds and propose innovative and adaptable strategies for suitable housing delivery and slum upgrading in the country.