Committee Boss Seeks Intervention Fund On Housing

Mr Fortune Ebie, Chairman Committee on the Review of National Housing and Urban Development Policies, has stressed the need for the setting up of an intervention fund for the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.

He made the appeal in Abuja on Monday during the presentation of the Draft Revised National Housing and Urban Development Policies as part of activities to mark World Habitat Day.

The World Habitat Day has as its theme as “ Cities and Climate Change”.

Ebie urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to facilitate the establishment of the fund to boost government’s housing programmes.

He said that financial constraints, delays in amending housing laws and merging of the ministry were militating against urban housing development.

Ebie urged the Federal Government to set up a Presidential Technical Committee on Housing, to ensure that guidelines were followed and laws enforced.

Earlier, Sen Bukar Ibrahim, Chairman Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development, said unplanned cities and rapid population growth were among the causes of climate change.

He said that the issues should be seriously tackled by the agencies of government concerned.

Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, Minister of Water Resources, appealed for the development of affordable houses and provision of enabling environment for land acquisition in the country.

She noted that the high cost of houses and property were responsible for springing up of slums and stressed the need to enforce land control laws.