World Habitat Day: FG wants PPP investment for housing financing

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The Federal government has called for Public Private Partnership investment in housing financing for urban development.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Dangiwa, who disclosed this during the celebration of this year’s World Habitat Day/World Cities Day, organized by his ministry in Abuja, said financing for affordable housing and urban infrastructure remains the cardinal focus of his ministry.
He said urban dwellers are now accounted for 50% of Nigeria our population. And we expected to increase by 60% urban dwellers upsurge by 2030, saying that it is paying attention to the issues and challenges of urbanization in the country.
Represented by the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Gwarzo, Dangiwa said: “The Federal government of Nigeria is paying very thoughtful attention to the issues and challenges of urbanization in the country.
“ The issue of financing for affordable housing and urban infrastructure remains the cardinal focus of the ministry and we solicit collaborations and partnerships from our development partners and other stakeholders.
“… As you may be aware urbanization has 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.
“It is our duty therefore to make adequate preparations for the expected upsurge of the population in our towns and cities through effective urban planning and management and building the needed resilience and innovations to absorb the expected shocks.
“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.
“Provision of adequate and affordable housing in both urban and rural areas in the secure, healthy, and decent environment for all Nigerians is the primary mandate of this ministry and equally one of the cardinal focuses of the present administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Therefore, the issues of Housing and Urban Development are being given the deserved attention. We therefore call for Private sector investments in the sector by leveraging on the Ministry’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement already in place”.
The UN-Habitat Executive Director , said Maimunah Sharif “ We need a new financing framework for sustainable urban development to reverse this trend. We are need to invest in integrated planning and turbocharge our commitment to shelter and housing as a human right .