The Rivers State Government has said that a change was
required in the planning and execution of public sector engagement, such that
should incorporate formal and informal sector synergies, in the provision of
safe, decent and affordable housing.

Making this known in his speech delivered at 2012 World
Habitat Day with the theme: “Changing Cities, building opportunities,” in Port
Harcourt, Tuesday, the Commissioner for Housing, Marshall Stanley Uwom stated
that his ministry recognises the importance of house ownership as it confers a
feeling of security, self worth and value, particularly to the lower income
bracket, stressing that there ought to be partnership in realising it.

According to him, “There has to be a paradigm shift in the
planning and execution of public sector engagements, the provision of safe,
decent and affordable housing should therefore include incorporate formal and
informal sector synergies.”

Mr Uwom also decried the rate of rural/urban migration which
has led to social challenges such as increased pressure on urban
infrastructure, social displacement, crime and less habitable communities, as a
result of rapid urbanisation and the relative under-development of the rural
areas.

The commissioner however commended the efforts of the
governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi in his commitment to ensuring that the
necessary linkages were established to provide the much needed infrastructural
development.

He thanked professional bodies and organisations that have
partnered with the ministry in its quest in providing a housing policy, as well
as a state building code that will address the needs of the less-opportuned in
the society.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Director, Collaborative
Media Advocacy Platform (CMAP), Mr Michael Uwemedimo said that Housing Matters
had to be integrated to other aspects of city life especially in the economic
area of life.

He condemned forceful eviction and mass demolition of houses
which he said, had remained a major challenge in housing development, and urged
stakeholders to evolve policies that would stimulate housing development, and
thanked the ministry housing in its efforts to repositioning the city through
collaboration.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of Planning and
Research, Eme Isaiah said the World Habitat Day is marked every First Monday of
October by the United Nations to reflect on the state of towns and cities
shelter, but that the rate of abuse of these is very alarming.

He said that government alone cannot provide all the
shelter, hence the need for partnership, adding that his ministry has set up a
committee to formulate the state housing policy and to domesticate the National
Building Code.

Corlins Walter