FG determines to revitalise housing sector – Perm Sec

The Federal Government says it is determined to revitalise the land, housing and urban development sector for socio-economic development.

Alhaji Mohammed Bukar made this known on Wednesday at the sixth meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Abuja.

Bukar noted that the Federal Government demonstrated its determination on the sector through the quantum increase in the budgetary allocation to the sector in the last two years.

“The present administration is not only concerned about the challenges facing the development of the sector, but is determined to revitalise the sector.

“This explains the quantum increase in budgetary allocation to the sector in the last two years by the Federal Government,” he said.

According to the permanent secretary, the sector is saddled with the responsibility of providing qualitative affordable housing as well as building houses for communities that were inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

He urged all the stakeholders in the built environment to endeavour to proffer solutions to challenges facing the housing and land matters, and to reposition the sector for the benefit of the citizens.

In his remarks, Mr Chinyeaka Christian, Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said the FCT Administration was working hard to reposition land administration for a better result.

Chinyeaka, represented by Malam Adamu Huseini, Director, Lands, FCT, noted that the FCT administration has suspended land allocation.

He added that it has put machinery in place, including constitution of the Land Use Allocation Committee to give advice in resolving lingering land cases in the FCT.

“This administration has also resolved to fast track the process of converting the customary titles to be issued by the various Area Councils into Statutory.

“The administration is currently working round the clock in issuance and signing of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) and giving the needed approvals to all consents such as assignment and mortgages.

“In order to add value to land across the territory, basic infrastructures are usually provided. The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) provides infrastructure in the 250 square kilometres of the FCT.

“While Satellite Town Development Department (STDD) make such provision in the satellite towns by opening up feeder roads, culverts and bridges to create and ease access to land and development.

He further noted that its mass housing department always strive to monitor mass housing projects as well as estate development.

The council meeting, which is scheduled to hold from Aug. 21 to Aug. 24, has its theme as: “Building for Inclusion, Growth and Prosperity”.

It avails professionals in the administration of lands, housing and urban development the opportunity to articulate a common front to proffer solutions to challenges in the sub-sector.