A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO),
Collaborative Media Advocacy Platform (CMAP) has advocated for enthronement of
policies that will stimulate housing development in Rivers State and Nigeria in
general.

Speaking to journalists shortly after a
public forum on housing in Port Harcourt recently, the Executive Director of
the organisation, Mr Michael Uwemedimo said that some of the policies of
government do not promote housing development.

He said that forced eviction and mass
demolition of structures have remained a serious challenge in housing
development in Nigeria, adding that housing has to be connected to other areas
of life like employment.

According to him, “Housing has to be
integrated to other aspects of city life. We need to play safe in our homes,
and we have to increase the security in housing so that there can be
stability.”

The CMAP director posited that his
organisation does not support forced eviction, pointing out that there ought to
be adequate information to the people and proper time given to them to have
alternative habitation before eviction.

Mr Uwemedimo stated also that their role
as an NGO is to create a room for dialogue and for people to participate on
issues on housing and habitation, adding that CMAP has created a platform for
communities to air their views.

He however praised the efforts of the
Rivers State Ministry of Housing in collaboration with other ministries and
organisations.