A housing advocacy organisation, Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), has stressed the significance of dialogue as a mechanism for addressing the country’s housing gap as it sets out to engage political aspirants at both state and federal levels on housing.

Mr Festus Adebayo, Executive Director of HDAN, made this known in Abuja during the weekend.

He said a constructive dialogue was essential for any country to achieve its political and economic objectives, especially as they related to housing affordability and sustainability.

Adebayo said a panel session scheduled to hold during the 16th edition of the Abuja International Housing Show (AIHS) at the International Conference Centre would provide the people the opportunity to have one-on-one encounter with political actors, evaluate and make appropriate decisions regarding who would lead them come 2023.

He said, “This is another political season and a very crucial moment in the history of Nigeria. It’s another time to ponder on the achievements made over the years in the area of housing. Recently, we stressed the need for all political aspirants at the state and national levels to make housing a priority in their manifestos and to also make sure they implement their promises when they’re finally elected.

“It is time for professionals in the Nigerian construction industry and professional bodies across various fields to come together and engage those who want to take over the mantle of leadership in 2023 to enlighten us on what they will do to better the housing sector. We have been talking to ourselves for a long time. It’s time to talk to those in the corridor of power, decision makers, and those in charge of policy implementation on the importance and multiplier effects of housing.

“Many of the aspirants across party lines have zero plan for the electorate in the area of housing and this is because they don’t view it from the angle of importance. 

“It is, therefore, critical that we drive this conversation because they are ignorant of what we are talking about. They have failed to realise that housing solves almost all human problems and creates a healthy living and environment that gives rise to a stable community and nation in general.”

Source : Daily Trust