Government at all levels have been advised to assist in completing abandoned housing estates of private individuals or entities that lack the capacity to complete same through a public-private-partnership arrangement.
This was part of resolutions contained in a communique issued to newsmen at the end of the 12th meeting of the National Council on Lands and Housing development held in Kaduna and presided over by the Minister of Housing And Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.
The Council also resolved that private individuals/entities that lack the capacity to complete their abandoned housing estate and reject the offer of a PPP by relevant government, be given ultimatums to either complete same or have such building or estate confiscated.
It expressed support for the adoption and implementation of the provisions of the National building code as base standard for project delivery in the housing and urban development sector.
The communique also supported the proposal by the federal ministry of housing and urban development to construct 40,000 housing units in 2 years under the renewed hope cities and estates.
The Council recommended for consideration, the adoption of the Kaduna State model of land swap by states with land and those with land constraints to develop models peculiar to them.
Government at all levels were encouraged to strengthen their housing corporations to perform their statutory roles of providing mass housing for each state of the federation.
International and local partners or institutions with long term funds were also encouraged to support federal government’s effort on housing development and ownership.
The Council urged government at all levels, private sector and real estate developers to expand the opportunities and financing facilities offered by the various international financial initiatives and partnerships on sustainable housing.
The status of implementation of the key decisions of the 11th meeting of the council held in Sokoto State in July last year, was presented with highlights on the results achieved and challenges encountered.
The 13th meeting of the council is scheduled to hold in Gombe State next year.
The theme of the meeting is:”Harnessing Local and International Credit Schemes as a panacea for affordable housing Infrastructure development under the Renewed Hope Agenda”
Usman Sani.
