As the year 2019 draws to a close, we want to give God all the glory for the wonderful relationship we have had with stakeholders, operators in the housing industry, friends and partners.
We appreciate all the stakeholders for their support towards our advocacy and all causes geared towards the provision of affordable housing in Nigeria.
In retrospect, and as we have all observed, the economic realities of the year 2019 affected the performance of the housing sector and some operators in the real estate business. This has manifested in the number of abandoned houses we see in various parts of the country. This certainly calls for some reflection.
So, as we move into 2020, we are calling on stakeholders not to relent in their strive towards a conducive housing and construction industry. We call for more investment in the real estate and mortgage sectors. We will do our best to continue to champion the advocacy by partnering stakeholders in various areas that can bring a desired housing and mortgage sector that we can all be proud of.
We should work harder to ensure a sector where Nigerian workers can have houses through affordable mortgages; where building collapse will be drastically reduced or eliminated; where corruption and selfishness will not be the order of the day. We shall work for a sector that will boast of vibrant pressure groups that can advise the government on what to do.
We call on the government to develop the political will to make our sector grow better, increase sales, create access to land, and solve the challenges of infrastructure.
We appeal to governments in all states to do more in the area of foreclosure law and access to land for developers. Governors should show more interest in home ownership for their workers and citizens.
Given the country’s challenge with high unemployment, housing development is a viable solution to closing that gap and creating a more vibrant economy. All that is needed for this to happen is for government to develop the necessary political will.
There is no better time than now to call on all government agencies in the sector to increase their performance and deliver on their mandates.
We also call on the national assembly to remove all barriers to housing development through legislative interventions.
The Federal ministry of works and housing should round up ongoing national housing programme projects which will definitely lead to increase in the housing stock in the country.
Also, the issue of demand should be critically looked into as those who need houses cannot afford them. To this end, the ministry should collaborate with important stakeholders to formulate policies that will move the sector forward.
We wish all stakeholders a great 2020 and hope to see more positive results in the year, and we hope to see you all at the 14th Abuja International Housing Show taking place from 21st to 25th July 2020.
Thanks
Festus Adebayo
MD/CEO AIHS
