…Mulls relevance of digital media in achieving mandate
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has disclosed plans to establish a National Land Commission.
Dangiwa stated this when he received a delegation of Digital Media Personalities in his office at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.
The Minister noted that the government is making efforts to ensure that Nigerians have easy access and legal titles to their lands.
He explained that the proposed National Land Commission that would provide guidelines and regulations for operationalizing the Land Use Act of 1978; and to drive this process, adding that a Land Reform Team has been composed whose recommendations would be leveraged on to draft an executive bill to proceed to the National Assembly for the amendment of the Act.
The Minister also disclosed the composure of a housing reform team that would develop a strong framework for the reform of the housing sector which encompasses a thorough review of relevant laws as well as necessary legislative amendments.
“This includes the Land Use Act of 1978, National Housing Fund (NHF) Act 1992, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) Establishment Act 1993, Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Act 1973, PenCom Act, to allow for increased investment in housing and the nationwide adoption and passage of the foreclosure law in states,” he explained.
Dangiwa further outlined other action plans in progress in the Ministry such as; plans to establish a National Social Housing Fund (NSHF) that would ensure that both the NO INCOME, vulnerable and underprivileged Nigerians have access to decent accommodation; plans to set up six building materials hubs, one for each geo-political zone in the country, to be provided with relevant facilities for manufacturers to site their firms and operate.
“To this end we have composed a Building Materials Manufacturing Task Team comprising of experts and representatives from relevant government agencies, academia, professional bodies, and industry associations. Primarily, their job is to conduct a thorough assessment of the current state of the building materials manufacturing sector and produce a strategic plan for reforming the sector for implementation,” he stated.
He also divulged the constitution of a Multi-Agency Project Delivery Team comprising of qualified and experienced professionals with expertise in housing development, urban planning, infrastructure, finance and project management; who would ensure that all housing agencies collaborate towards delivering decent and affordable housing to Nigerians.
The Minister also disclosed a New City Development Plan which aims to deliver the Renewed Hope Cities, comprising of 1,000 housing units of Multi-Level Flats, terrace and detached bungalows as well as duplexes per site, in each of the Country’s geo-political zones; and also, the Renewed Hope Estates aimed at delivering a minimum of 500 housing units of 1,2- and 3-bedroom affordable bungalows in the remaining 30 states.
The Minister also acknowledged that through digital and social media platforms, the Housing Ministry can effectively share updates, initiatives and crucial information regarding housing policies, urban development projects and stakeholder engagements.