Expert Urges Early Completion Of FISH

A building expert, Mr. Salami Adekunle has appealed to the Federal Government to ensure the ongoing Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) programme is completed early for delivery to successful bidders.
The Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Lagos chapter, Adekunle,  made the appeal while speaking with newsmen in Lagos recently.
He said that although he was not a direct beneficiary of the programme, there was an urgent need to ensure completion to reduce the country’s housing deficit.
He said that the call became necessary because housing projects were long term in nature which required long term funding.
He said that policy inconsistency could halt the laudable project, which had been the bane of successive governments.
According to him, about 60 per cent of abandoned projects are as a result of unstable government policies.
He said that continuity of policies was important for sustenance and success of the FISH programme due to the long term nature of the project.
“FISH is a housing project and housing projects are long term projects that required long term funding.
“But I am optimistic that this government will complete the FISH programme rather than abandon it,” he said.
Adekunle added that the long term nature of the FISH programme demanded that it should strictly be followed until it was completely executed.
NITP boss said that policy somersault was unhealthy to the growth and success of any economic project, particularly housing development projects.
“If succeeding governments can continue with the projects and policies initiated by the previous administrations, it will greatly enhance the growth of the housing sector,” he said.