The Federal Government and Oyo State government have called for more collaboration with the private sector to tackle growing housing deficit and provide affordable homes in the country.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan and Governor Seyi Makinde, made the call during the fourth Ibadan International Housing and Construction Fair (IIHCF) held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The two-day event, which had the theme: “Rethinking the National Housing Policy to Bridge the Gap between Sustainability and Affordability,” attracted critical stakeholders in the built industry.
Yemi-Esan, whose message was delivered by Deputy Director in the Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Ochana Ofoma, charged the private sector to be committed to delivering quality, comfortable, safe and affordable housing to Nigerians.
Yemi-Esan said to meet a global standard, housing must be seen to be decent, safe, comfortable, affordable, green and smart.
The head of service explained that the government alone could not handle the growing housing deficit in Nigeria, hence, the need for creating an enabling environment for public-private partnership.
In his goodwill message, Makinde, said his administration is committed to urban renewal, infrastructure development and affordable housing for all.
The governor, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Housing and Urban Development, Olatilewa Folami, said the state, in its quest for decent and affordable housing delivery, created newGovernment Reservation Areas (GRA) with the provision of infrastructure, such as in-site services, to enable residents of the state and interested non-residents to have access to quality housing provisions.
He said the government, through Oyo State Investment and Public –Private Partnership Agency (OYSIPA), is partnering with private and non-governmental organisations, such as Family Hope Limited, with a view to ensuring that people have access to decent and affordable houses.
“The Oyo State government through the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development is collaborating effectively with private estate developers to ensure conformity with standard and regulation in the building industry,” he said.
In a remark, the convener of the event and Managing Director, Next City Estate Limited, Mr. Ola Rotimi-Shodimu, said there is an urgent need to transition the Nigerian housing economy to a circular one.
