National Council On Housing Meeting Opens in Sokoto.

"The absence of shelter renders the society vulnerable to precarious situations and backwardness." Tambuwal.

The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing Development, under the supervision of Honourable Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, has commenced the  eleventh (11th) meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development.

The meeting, according to a statement issued and signed by Blessing Lere-Adams, Director Press and Public Relations Department of the ministry, is taking place at the Dankani Guest Palace Hotels Limited in the city of Sokoto, North West, Nigeria.

The 4-days event is holding under the theme; "Housing Our People by All Of Government and All Our People." 

The statement revealed that the meeting, which is an annual meeting of stakeholders in the built industry, is being organized by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing as part of its statutory mandate.

"The meeting is significant as  stakeholders in the housing sector have the opportunity to gather, brainstorm, share ideas, identify challenges in the sector and adopt policies that will impact on moving the sector forward in the delivery of affordable houses to Nigerians. 

Participants at the meeting, according to the statement by its Press and Public Relations Director, Lere-Adams (Mrs.) include; State Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, General Managers of Housing Corporations, Surveyor-Generals, Professional/Regulatory Agencies in the housing sector and other stakeholders in the building industry.

In an introductory remark, the Director, Planning, Research & Statistics, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Olajide Ode-Martins noted that the Federal Government would vitally need the full participation and collaboration of the State Governments and Private Sector in increasing the stock of affordable housing to Nigerians.

"The theme of the Meeting presupposes that Federal Government alone cannot address the gap in the housing development across the country which brings to focus the fact that, State Governments and the Private Sectors are critical stakeholders that have to  collaborate effectively towards addressing the housing challenges by bringing to the forefront desirable strategies to increase the stock of affordable houses to Nigerians," he said

In a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Sokoto State Ministry of Lands, Housing, Survey and Urban Planning, Engr. Ahmed Moyi Tambuwal, said that provision of affordable shelter is a basic necessity for everyone.

He said; "We are all aware that, Shelter is a basic necessity to every citizen. Such shelter must be affordable while at the same time meets globally acceptable standards. It is critical to family security, child upbringing and economic growth,"

Engr. Tambuwal noted also that the absence of shelter renders the society vulnerable to precarious situations and backwardness.

While drawing the attention of the participants to the importance of the theme of this year's council, the Permanent Secretary pointed out the importance of collective contribution in tackling the housing challenges in the Country, stating that every contribution no matter how small it might be would be important.

He disclosed that the Sokoto State government would willingly provide land and other requirements to interested developers in the built industry who might be willing to partner with the state in the provision of housing for the citizens.

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L-R. Jide Ode Martins, The Director Planning Research & Statistics Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Special Adviser on Sokoto Urban Development Authority (SUDA), Aliyu Sidi Lamido, Arc. Solomon Labafilo, Director (Public Building) FMWH; and  Engr Ahmed Moyi Tambuwal Permeant Secretary Ministry of Land & Survey Sokoto State. At the Opening Day of the 11th Meeting of the National Council on Land, Housing and Urban Development Held in Sokoto State.