NASS Restates Commitment To Pass Social Housing Bill

Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Senator Bareehu Ashafa, says the National Assembly is committed to passing the Social Housing Bill, to provide affordable houses for Nigerians.

Ashafa said this at an award ceremony organised by the Housing Circuit Magazine, to celebrate excellent performances among professionals in the urban development and construction industry in the country.

According to Ashafa, the bill provides a framework for the future provision of social housing for Nigerians, adding that it is aimed at ensuring that Nigerians are entitled to accommodation.

He expressed optimism that the passage of the bill would assist Nigeria to reduce the over 17 million units of housing deficit in Nigeria.

“I want to assure Nigerians that the Senate is committed to passing the social housing bill.

“The delay we are experiencing now is due to further deliberations at the Housing Committee level on some grey areas that would ensure that the bill stands the test of time.

“We are all aware that housing is completely out of the reach of an average man in Nigeria today, considering the fact that presently the housing deficit is close to 17 million units.’’

Ashafa commended the management of the magazine for initiating the award.

He described the event as “a clarion call on the recipients not to relent in their commitment to ensure provision of affordable housing schemes for the people.

Ashafa urged the stakeholders in the building industry to use the relevant mortgage institutions to achieve the nation’s objective of providing adequate housing for Nigerians.

Gov. Theodore Oji of Abia got the Urban Development Governor of the year award while other Nigerians who made impact in building industry also went home with awards.

That the magazine is a media firm that specialises in housing journalism.

Mr Seun Jegede, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of the magazine, was present at the occasion.

The bill is meant to facilitate the development of mass housing for the poor and low income earners.

It is also to afford low-income earners in the country the opportunity of owning their houses without too much difficulty.