By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to creating an enabling environment for local and foreign investors as it intensifies efforts to deliver affordable housing and critical infrastructure across the country through strategic partnerships.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma, gave the assurance during a meeting with officials of Japanese engineering and infrastructure firm, CHODAI Company Limited, whose visit to the ministry was facilitated by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).
A statement sighed by Director Press and Public Relations, Badamasi Haiba.
Darma said the Federal Government remains committed to partnering with credible investors to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The Federal Government is committed to partnering with credible local and international investors to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing and critical infrastructure across Nigeria,” the minister said.
The meeting followed a presentation by CHODAI Company Limited, a Japanese infrastructure construction and engineering consultancy firm, proposing collaboration with the ministry on housing construction and urban development projects.
The minister described partnerships with the private sector as critical to achieving the government’s housing objectives, stressing that the ministry remains open to collaborations that will improve the quality of life of Nigerians through sustainable housing and infrastructure development.
“We are ready for partnership. The Ministry is embarking on an ambitious Social Housing Programme that will provide affordable homes for Nigerians across the country. We welcome investors and development partners who share our vision of making decent housing accessible to every Nigerian,” he said.
Darma disclosed that the proposed Social Housing Programme would be implemented across the 774 local government areas of the federation to ensure affordable housing reaches communities nationwide.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at reducing Nigeria’s housing deficit by providing decent, affordable and accessible homes, particularly for low- and middle-income earners.
He added that the programme would incorporate a gender-based inclusion component, with a dedicated percentage of housing units reserved for vulnerable women and children.
“The reality in many developing countries is that women and children are among the most vulnerable members of society. Our Social Housing Programme will deliberately make provisions for them to ensure they have access to safe and decent accommodation,” he stated.
The minister further explained that the programme would also cater to other vulnerable groups, including persons displaced by natural disasters such as flooding, as well as victims of insecurity, banditry and insurgency.
He also said the ministry is working closely with relevant government agencies to strengthen flood mitigation measures and improve urban resilience, particularly in flood-prone communities, ahead of future rainy seasons.
Commending CHODAI for its confidence in Nigeria and interest in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives, Darma encouraged the company to expand its investment beyond its ongoing project in Niger State by considering the development of a local government area close to the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, such an investment would provide quality housing opportunities for residents and workers within the Abuja metropolitan area.
“The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development remains committed to creating an enabling environment for investors. Strategic partnerships such as the one proposed by CHODAI are essential to delivering sustainable housing, modern infrastructure, economic growth and improved living standards for Nigerians,” he added.
Earlier, leader of the CHODAI delegation, Motoko Imai, JP, said smart city development through Public-Private Partnerships remains one of the company’s strategic priorities.
She said the Tokyo-based firm has successfully executed infrastructure projects across Asia and Africa and is currently implementing development projects in partnership with the Niger State Government.
According to her, CHODAI’s proposal to the ministry covers collaboration in the development of roads, housing infrastructure, hydropower generation, renewable energy and other strategic projects to support Nigeria’s urban development.
She reaffirmed the company’s commitment to deploying its technical expertise, innovative engineering solutions and global experience to support Nigeria’s housing and infrastructure transformation.
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