Housing Policy: Experts Score Presidential Candidates Low

The Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), a professional body in the building industry, has scored presidential candidates in Nigeria’s 2011 polls low on pragmatic housing plans for the nation, even as electioneering campaigns ahead of the 2011 general elections have wound up.

REDAN lamented a situation where all the presidential candidates who are seeking to be voted for, did not give a clear cut and deliverable housing plan, despite the huge deficit of homes plaguing Nigerians.

The professional group which spoke in a communiqué at the end of a workshop on “An Estate Development Loan Procurement and Management” sensitisation workshop said “inability to look towards this direction by these presidential aspirants calls for concern among all stakeholders.

National President of REDAN, Chief Olabode Afolayan, expressed worry that contestants in the forth-coming election, especially the presidential candidates do not have a clear-cut policy guideline for the housing sector.

The group stated that it is worrisome that no candidate or party is making its primary focus to drive the economy, considering the enormous challenges in the housing sector, and with the fact that it is the major industry that could lead the country out of the woods of unemployment.

“It calls for worry when our dear nation is facing the greatest challenge of providing decent and affordable housing for about 50 percent of her citizens, at a time when very little or nothing is heard about political parties and flag-bearers programmes for housing, and when the beginning of the journey to meet over 16 million housing deficit has become very urgent and crucial”, the group posited.

REDAN also urged stakeholders to form a pact and ensure that the sector moves forward.