Sokoto State: Ministry of Works and Housing begins National Council Meeting

The Ministry of Works and Housing has begun its 11^th meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development has commenced in Sokoto  State, North-West, Nigeria.

The 4-day meeting is taking place at Dankani Guest Palace Hotels Limited in the city of Sokoto, the State’s capital.

The annual meeting of stakeholders in the built industry is themed “Housing our people by all of government and all our people.”

The Director, Planning, Research & Statistics, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Olajide Ode-Martins noted that the Nigerian Government would need the full participation and collaboration of the State Governments and the Private Sector to increase the stock of affordable housing to Nigerians.

“The theme of the Meeting presupposes that Federal Government alone cannot address the gap in the housing development across the country which brings to focus the fact that, State Governments and the Private Sectors are critical stakeholders that have to collaborate effectively towards addressing the housing challenges by bringing to the forefront desirable strategies to increase the stock of affordable houses to Nigerians.“

The Permanent Secretary, Sokoto State Ministry of Lands, Housing, Survey and Urban Planning, Ahmed Moyi Tambuwal, said that the provision of affordable shelter is a basic necessity for everyone.

“We are all aware that, Shelter is a basic necessity to every citizen. Such shelter must be affordable while at the same time meets globally acceptable standards. It is critical to family security, child upbringing and economic growth.“

He noted also that the absence of shelter renders the society vulnerable to precarious situations and backwardness.

While drawing the attention of the participants to the importance of this year’s council meeting theme, the Permanent Secretary pointed out the importance of collective contribution in tackling the housing challenges in the country, stating that every contribution no matter how small it might be would be important

He disclosed that the Sokoto State government would willingly provide land and other requirements to interested developers in the built industry who might be willing to partner with the State in the provision of housing for the citizens.

The stakeholders in the housing sector will share ideas, identify challenges in the sector and adopt policies that will impact on moving the sector forward in the delivery of affordable houses to Nigerians.

Participants at the meeting are; State Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, General Managers of Housing Corporations, Surveyor -Generals and Professional/Regulatory Agencies in the housing sector among others.

PIAK