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 the 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, who was 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.
