Experts Seek Stakeholders Retreat On Housing

As a way of charting a new course in housing development in the year 2012, especially in Rivers state, some experts in the housing sector have called for a stakeholders’ retreat in Port Harcourt to X-ray the magnitude of the problems confronting housing development, and fashion out new ways of tackling them.

The experts hinged their opinion on the platform that housing should no longer be seen as a mere provision of shelter, but indeed an instrument of transformation, which is not only in the sector, but indeed the entire sectors of the economy.

Speaking with The Tide, Sampson Oroko, who is an estate surveyor by training stated that the demand for housing in Rivers State, particularly in Port Harcourt and its environs had been on the increase while the supply has been very low.

According to Oroko who is also a member of Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuer (NIESV). “There had not been any clear policy in Rivers State on housing development, and that is why we need to have this kind of meeting to brainstorm on the way forward”.

He said, “Port Harcourt is withnessing a steady increase in population and many people need accommodation, but the few available are costly, and our people here, especially public workers need their personal homes, therefore government needs to commit itself more on this basic human need, to solve it this time around by fashioning a policy and executing it to the letter.

On his part, Mr. Philips Ayuwo who is a structural Engineer and a registered builder, stated that some of the challenges militating against housing delivery system include the absence of workable and implementable housing policy and programmes, access to land and a virile Mortgage system, among others, pointing out that the proposal for a stakeholders retreat in Port Harcourt will help to confront the challenge.

He harped on the strategic role that all the professionals in the housing sector in general can play in tackling the challenges of the sector when such meeting is convened.

Ayuwo therefore urged the State government not to relent in its effort, but ensure that issues like this are given proper attention and particularly called on the Ministry of housing to champion the cause to ensure a change for the sector in 2012.

Corlins Walter