Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
The Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria, AHCN, has urged the Federal and state governments to prioritize the provision of affordable housing to Nigeria’s growing population as a means of halting the country’s economic decline through job creation.
Dr. Victor Onukwugha, President/Chairman of Council, AHCN, gave this advice during a media briefing as part of activities marking the 2022 World Habitat Day with the theme “Mind the Gap.” “Leave No One and Nothing Behind” in Abuja.
He stated that Nigeria’s housing challenges are surmountable if we all work together to take a holistic approach to saving the sector from total collapse.
“Nigeria is bigger than any individual or party affiliation,” he says, adding that “it is time to stop playing politics with the destiny of the people, particularly the future of our youth and generation unborn.”
It is important to recognize that the housing sector possesses the most viable platform for rescuing the country from recession if approached pragmatically.
Rising unemployment and inflation rates in the country raise serious concerns about what the future holds for the next generation, necessitating immediate action.
“The housing sector has a significant multiplier effect on job creation, and it has been tested and proven over time that a three-bedroom unit has the potential to employ at least 25 skilled and unskilled laborers, including architects, engineers, builders, bricklayers, masonry workers, carpenters, food vendors, and so on.”
“The importance of housing corporations in all of this cannot be overstated.” If we must adopt and run with this year’s World Habitat Day theme – Mind the Gap. “Leave No One Behind,” we must awaken from our slumber and empower state housing corporations to do this work for us.”
Onukwugha went on to say, “Until a concerted effort is made to address the housing challenges of the low and middle income groups, the housing deficit gap will continue to grow, leaving many people and places, particularly urban cities, behind.”
“As a result, if all of the aforementioned recommendations are implemented, the housing sector will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s economic recovery, despite the total global fall in accruable income from crude oil.”
He urged Nigerians to work together to find long-term solutions to the myriad of issues confronting the housing sector.
