Provision of adequate affordable housing is our mandate – FMHUD

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The Federal Ministry Of Housing and Urban Development ( FMHUD), said provision of adequate and affordable housing in both urban and rural areas in secure, healthy and decent environment for all Nigerians is the primary mandate of the ministry.
Minister FMHUD Architect Ahmed Dangiwa, made this known in a Keynote address at an event to mark the World Cities Day in Abuja recently, saying that is equally one of the focuses of the present administration’s renewed hoped agenda .
He said therefore, the issues of housing and urban development are being given the deserved attention .
“ The Ministry intends to actualize the aforementioned mandate, through a multi stakeholders and institutional engagements and collaborations.
While, calling for private sector investments in the provision of affordable housing and urban infrastructure.
Dangiwa equally called on international development partners and other stakeholders to collaborate in that regard.
“We, therefore call for private sector investments in the sector by leveraging on the Ministry’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement already in place to mobilise financing for affordable housing and urban development,” he said.
The theme of the commemoration is ‘Resilient Urban Economies. Cities as Drivers of Growth and Recovery’ and Financing Sustainable Urban Future for All’.
Represented by the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Gwarzo, Dangiwa said urbanisation had become one of the most transformative forces shaping our world in this 21st century.
“It is a phenomenon that can be harnessed to enhance economic productivity, inclusive growth, and environmental sustainability. Urban dwellers now account for more than 50 percent of Nigeria’s population and are expected to increase to 60 percent by the year 2030.
“We have to make adequate preparations for the expected upsurge of population in our cities through effective urban planning management and building the needed resilience and innovation to absorb the expected shocks,” Dangiwa said.
He said the federal government was paying thoughtful attention to the issues and challenges of urbanisation in the country.
Dangiwa said the issue of financing for affordable housing and urban infrastructure remained the cardinal focus of the ministry and solicited collaborations and partnerships from development partners and other stakeholders.
The minister added that as the world builds and consolidates the foundation of the New Urban Agenda, urgent steps were required to rectify past imperfections.
“We envisage an urban future where economic growth and prosperity proceed with equity; one where human exploitation of the natural environment is carried on sustainably; and one where poverty and inequality are attenuated by strong human-centered policies. Over the years, I have realized that inefficient urbanisation resulting from a lack of sustainable development financing can result in diseconomies of scale and negative externalities.
“Further exacerbating issues that contribute toward decelerating progress of achieving the SDGs, such as poverty, climate change, and pollution. The government alone cannot handle financing for housing and urban development.