Stakeholders in the building sector have underscored the Land Use Act as the primary obstacle to addressing the housing deficit in the country, citing mismanagement and lack of effective implementation by policymakers, operators, and governors.
In an interview with Daily Sun, expert Mr. Meckson Okoro highlighted the Act’s potential as a tool for real estate development but lamented its poor management and exploitation by state governments. He criticized the Act’s hijacking by state authorities for political patronage, resulting in insufficient regulation and exacerbating the housing deficit.
Okoro also questioned the federal government’s commitment to managing property interests in Nigeria, noting a lack of interest in utilizing the Act to regulate excesses and mitigate the housing shortage. He expressed skepticism about the feasibility of schemes like rent-to-own, citing inadequate employment opportunities and uncertain income streams as significant challenges.
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Echoing similar sentiments, National President of Building Collapse Prevention Guild in Nigeria (BCPG), Mr. Sulaimon Yusuf, emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of land policies to stimulate housing development. He advocated for freeing land to encourage private sector participation and the reintroduction of low-cost housing initiatives.
Yusuf stressed the importance of government providing infrastructure and incentives to the private sector to facilitate the construction of affordable housing. He called for a concerted effort to refocus land policies, allocate land for low-cost housing projects, and prioritize infrastructure development in these areas.
Addressing the pressing issue of low-cost housing, stakeholders emphasized the urgency of adopting policies that foster private sector involvement and provide affordable housing solutions to meet the needs of the population. They emphasized the necessity of creating an enabling environment for both public and private sectors to collaborate effectively in addressing the housing deficit.
