As the world celebrates this year’s World Habitat Day 2024, The Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria has called for an end to the direct involvement of federal and state ministries in housing construction, advocating for state housing agencies to be empowered to fulfil their statutory roles.
The president of AHCN Eno Obongha, made the appeal on Monday during his address at the World Habitat Day 2024 celebration in Abuja with the theme “Engaging Youth To Create A Better Urban Future”,
He said, “The current trend, where state ministries of housing engage in direct housing construction under the guise of public-private partnerships, renders state housing corporations redundant,” Obongha remarked. He stressed that the primary responsibility of ministries is to formulate policies, not to engage in construction.
Obongha warned that this overlap in responsibilities leads to “unnecessary duplication of duties, causing distractions, needless rivalry, unfair competition, and wastage of resources.”
He stressed that ministries’ involvement in housing should not undermine the role of housing agencies. His comments come amidst ongoing efforts by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, under the leadership of Arc Ahmed Dangiwa, to increase Nigeria’s housing stock. Obongha acknowledged the ministry’s progress, noting initiatives like the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates programme, which aims to deliver 100,000 housing units across the country.
We are pleased with the policy directions and innovative solutions the ministry has introduced,” Obongha added. However, he expressed concern over the inadequate response to housing needs at the state level.
“Most state housing corporations have not executed any significant housing projects this year,” Obongha lamented, highlighting a disconnect between federal initiatives and state capacities.
The AHCN’s recommendations include a renewed focus on social housing, the promotion of local building materials, and stronger collaboration between state housing corporations and government bodies.
“Governments should introduce deliberate and targeted policies to encourage social housing through attractive tax rebates and incentives,” he urged.
Obongha further said that by refocusing federal and state ministries on policy-making, housing corporations can be better equipped to tackle the country’s pressing housing challenges and contribute to economic growth, particularly for the youth and underprivileged communities.