The Federal Government is set to unveil a Nigerian housing model that
will be suitable and acceptable to all Nigerians. Minister of Power,
Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, who disclosed this at a forum
in Abuja, said government is already working on the design in
furtherance of the its housing policy.
“A lot of work is going on and
very soon you will see the result of that work. Let me be very clear; we
are in a result business but I have learnt that it is results that are
sustainable that become enduring. “We’ve built all sorts of houses but
when you look at it, has a housing implementation programme responded to
you? Has it responded to many people? So, it is because there was no
sustainability in them. So they change as the government changes. Now
that’s what we are working on to build; first to design a Nigerian house
– a design that all of us can say, yes, if I get a house here, I will
live here.
“These are the things that are going on in the ministry now; a
few designs have evolved, we are working; we are going to meet again
because this process is being driven by the civil servants and by
private sector volunteers, who are contributing to help. But because the
process is going to be owned and driven over a long time by the civil
servants, I want as much of their input in it because I will not be
there tomorrow. But those who helped to build it, as long as they remain
in the system, they will hand it over,” he stated. Commenting on the
campaign promise by the All Progressives Congress to build 250,000
houses annually, Fashola said his focus was on long-term solution rather
than on the number of houses the present administration would build.
“Right now, I am not focusing on the number of houses that this
administration will build; rather, I’m focusing on a long-term solution
that whether this administration is there tomorrow or not, it will be
difficult to say you want to change it because it works. In a matter of
weeks, we will finish and unveil the design.
We already have a budget
then we can start something to validate our concept; then we will expand
next year. “But what that policy will also bring is predictability to
the small and medium factories in Nigeria who make door handles, paints,
nails, fittings, windows, roofing sheet. Because they know now that
this market is ready, they can position themselves. It is not a rush; we
will just show you a house then we cannot do it next year. We are
planning and that is the hardest part,” the minister stated. He further
said that once construction began, workers such as artisans, food
vendors, builders, tank drivers, suppliers, among others, would be
engaged to boost the economy.