By Esther Alexander
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has reiterated his commitment to implementing policies that will trigger development in the housing sector, stating that all necessary policies will be reviewed in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
The minister gave the assurance when a delegation of the Nigerian Institute of Architects NIA, led by the president, Arc. Enyi Ben-Eboh paid a courtesy visit to the minister in Abuja.
Additionally, he guaranteed the institute that the ministry would look into the problem of the importation of substandard building materials. He claimed that this could be done collectively.
“You have made a lot of issues now, which are worth considering, especially that of the influx of substandard building materials. I don’t think there’s any other profession that is saddled with that responsibility of control than us.”
“The ministry is on that to ensure that control and regulation is ensured, and that can only be achieved through collective assistance.”
READ ALSO: Improving access to affordable housing
The minister also expressed satisfaction at the level with which professional issues surrounding the institute have been tackled, stating that letters have been sent by the ministry to that effect.
“I am happy to hear that most of the issues that are surrounding the profession are being resolved, and a letter has been sent to that effect, while we await the report. With that, the younger generation will not have hurdles.”
While speaking, the President of the institute, Arc. Ben Eboh charged the minister with the need to create an enabling environment for the professionals in the ministry to thrive.
Among the list of concerns tabled before the minister by the institute is the need to review the national housing policy for it to become as beneficial as the National Health Insurance Act.
“The housing policy does not seem to capture the housing needs of every segment of society, and one of the major challenges seems to be financed. So we ask the ministry to help in ensuring that hurdles surrounding access to finance are broken. As this will enable more private sector participation in housing provision”.
He tasked the minister to resuscitate the meeting of Chief Architects in Nigeria, Chief Architects of Nigeria which he said would enable positive practice of Architecture in the country.
The NIA President also urged the minister to ensure that Architects are critically involved in the National Development Plan (2021-2025) to help the federal government achieve the mandate of providing 500, 000 – 1 million houses yearly.
READ ALSO: Arc. Atohengbe Drives Collaboration and Data-Driven Solutions to Tackle Housing Challenges
He appealed to the minister to review the National Housing Policy to be as beneficial as the National Health Insurance Act and address the influx of substandard building materials imported into the country by liaising with the Standard Organization of Nigeria SON, among others. Adding that encouraging the manufacturing of local building materials is also one of the ways forward.
Arc. Eboh further proposed the establishment of the Office of Architect General of the Federation to oversee the members and their operations in Nigeria.
Eboh assured the minister that the institute will continue to provide support for the growth and success of the sector.
