Metro

Nigeria’s new minister, Dangiwa vows to resolve housing deficit

Published

1 year ago

August 23, 2023

Nigeria’s new Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has promised to find a lasting solution to the housing deficit in the country.

Dangiwa made the promise while addressing ministry officials and heads of agencies at a press conference held in Abuja, where he promised to champion land administration and institutional reforms to create an enabling environment for housing delivery and job creation.

According to a 2022 report by Vanguard, over 30 per cent of Nigerians, translating to nearly 62 million people, are facing serious housing challenges, while 80 per cent of the country’s 206 million people live in informal housing, plagued by problems related to poor quality and inadequate infrastructure.

The minister said, “I don’t agree with the current data on housing deficit, because honestly, even my predecessors have opposed the figure mentioned around.

“But the problem is that no one has made efforts to come out with the correct figure and that is what they should have done.

“So my priority is that and I mentioned it even during my screening; I will engage the services of data consultants who would go around the country and get the needed data”.

He also underscored the important role of housing data in ensuring all Nigerians have access to decent, quality, and affordable housing while fostering livable communities.

Dangiwa stated, “We are facing numerous challenges, but with challenges come opportunities for growth and progress. With rapid population growth, the demand for housing in our nation is ever-increasing and it is our duty to rise to the occasion and meet these needs head-on”.

Nigeria’s population is one of the fastest-growing in the world, expanding at 2.5% annually on average. By 2050, the population is expected to reach 400 million, putting it on track to become the third-most populous country behind China and India.

Metro

Zambia seeks global support to boost sustainable housing

Published

7 hours ago

November 7, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Zambian government has called for support from the international community to help it in developing sustainable human settlement initiatives, with an emphasis on providing decent housing, municipal services and social amenities in informal settlements.

The call came at the 12th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12), which was officially opened on November 4 by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi which Zambia is participating in.

Represented by Minister of Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Development, Engineer Charles Milupi, and Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Gary Nkombo at the forum which has the theme, “It All Starts at Home: Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities,” the East African country emphasized the importance of local efforts in achieving global sustainability goals.

Zambia Monitor reports that during a courtesy visit to the Zambian Mission, Nkombo emphasized government’s commitment to sustainable human settlements, highlighting the development of Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) across all 116 districts in Zambia.

“Zambia’s participation reflects its dedication to realising the New Urban Agenda’s goals of well-managed urbanization by 2030,” Nkombo was quoted as saying.

He further outlined the government’s Urban Renewal Programme, which aimed to upgrade unplanned settlements, starting with Kanyama Compound in Lusaka and called on private financiers to collaborate with the government through public-private partnerships (PPP) to fund these upgrades.

“We urge stakeholders to join us in providing decent housing, municipal services, and social amenities in informal settlements through the PPP model,” he said.

He added to address development disparities between rural and urban areas, the government was advancing its decentralization agenda, empowering local authorities by increasing both functional and fiscal capacities through devolution.

In his remarks, Engineer Milupi highlighted Zambia’s need for additional investors to help reduce the country’s housing deficit, currently estimated at 1.5 A units.

Metro

Nigeria, Rwanda sign MoU to boost trade, investment

Published

13 hours ago

November 7, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Nigeria and Rwanda have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at boosting trade and investment between the two countries.

The MoU which was sealed on Thursday by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
and Rwanda’s Private Sector Federation (PSF) was signed at the ongoing 2024 Lagos International Trade Fair. It aims to deepen economic ties and create new opportunities for businesses in both countries.

In a statement issued by the Head of Communication of the Rwanda Embassy in Nigeria, Maureen Chukwura, the Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Christophe Bazivamo said the partnership is a shared vision of fostering a vibrant, interconnected African business landscape and affirmed Rwanda’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for business growth.

He added that the partnership will focus on various areas of cooperation, including trade facilitation, investment promotion, capacity building, and joint events organisation.

“This MOU is a testament to our shared vision—a vision of a vibrant and interconnected African business landscape where Rwanda and Nigeria stand as beacons of economic collaboration and mutual growth,” he said.

“The Rwandan government is fully committed to supporting this endeavour. We have implemented policies to streamline business procedures, enhance infrastructure, and promote a conducive investment climate, ” he added.

According to the statement, the MoU outlines specific steps to enhance collaboration in key sectors such as agriculture, particularly in Rwandan coffee and tea production, as well as energy, manufacturing, technology, and creative industries.

Under the agreement, the LCCI and PSF Rwanda will work to streamline trade procedures, promote cross-border investment, share relevant market information, and build business capacities through joint workshops and training programs.

“The partnership is expected to open new markets, create job opportunities, and strengthen business networks in both countries.

“The two parties plan to organise trade missions and business-to-business meetings and participate in each other’s trade fairs. These activities are set to begin in early 2025, with preliminary virtual meetings and visits planned,” the envoy stated.