NIRESE summit: Ambode, stakeholders offer panacea for housing deficit

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state has expressed the
commitment of Lagos government to providing affordable housing through
partnership with the private sector.

The governor made this known at
the Second Nigeria Real Estate Summit and Expo held in Lagos on
Tuesday.

In his keynote address, the Lagos governor identified housing deficit
as one of the reasons for the persistent increase in rent, adding that
Lagos, with over 22 million people has a housing deficit of three
million units. Ambode, represented at the event by the Permanent
Secretary in the Ministry of Housing, Lagos, Mr. Foluso Dipe, said the
rent-to-own scheme was part of measures put in place by the Lagos
state government to lessen burden on Lagosians.

The summit and Expo with the theme: ‘‘Innovating, Collaborating and
growing to achieve adequate and Affordable Housing in Nigeria’’ was,
according to the head of the summit’s organizing committee, Mr Steve
Ike, billed to deepen on-going discussions, stimulate measurable
actions and provide the most inclusive answers to the housing issues
in Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and CEO of Afriland
Properties, Uzo Oshogwe, urged stakeholders, governments at all levels
and Nigerians to embrace new technology to reduce construction cost.
According to Oshogwe, Nigeria has 17 million housing deficit with 25%
ownership rate, while Kenya, Benin Republic and the US have 73%, 63%
and 72% ownership rates respectively.

Her words : “ Leveraging technology is one of the ways to solve housing deficit in Nigeria.

There is need to reduce the cost of construction. Building
technique is a significant area where technology has the potential to
radically reduce costs whether it’s in new design or materials.’’

On his part, former commissioner of Physical Planning and Urban
development in Lagos and the current Second Vice President of
Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Mr. Toyin Ayinde, called for
effective housing finance and selflessness on the part of policy
makers. ‘‘ Love is key. What I deserve, the man on the street also
deserves. Once you have this at the back of your mind, it will guide
you to make the right decision,’’ he said.

Ladesope Ladelokun