Abuja show roots for efficient housing data

Promoter of the Abuja International Housing Show (AIHS), Barr. Festus Adebayo has said the 15th edition of AIHS would address lack of data in the housing sector for effective planning and delivery.

Adebayo in a press briefing in Abuja, said, though the figure of housing deficit in the country is being disputed, Nigeria has the highest housing deficit in Africa.

He revealed that the event billed for July 26 to 29 will host critical stakeholders “to deliberate on Nigeria’s housing deficit figures and the way forward in terms of the segmentation of our housing needs and what is expected and required from both urban and rural perspectives using both local and international best practices.”

He added that to ensure affordable housing, youth need to get involved in designing new model of houses, thus, a youth housing design competition is organised to stir creativity in the housing sector.

“We remain unrelenting in advocating for the development and rollout of affordable housing by government and the private sector and will like to commend the response of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders towards the establishment of N200 billion National Social Housing Programme being managed by the Family Homes funds to deliver 300,000 housing units for low income earners across the federation.”

He noted that the challenges in the housing is not insurmountable but has great promise and opportunities.

He said the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Mohammed Musa Bello, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola and other dignitaries from within and outside Nigeria will grace the event.