Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), the minister of power, works and housing, has deemed it necessary to change the country’s house rent collection system.

Fashola noted this during his inaugural media meeting recently in Abuja, where he unveiled his strategic plans for the infrastructure sector.

According to The Leadership, the minister pointed out that the way rent was paid in Nigeria leads to an accounting mismatch.

He said: “The way we collect rent is something that must change. If we are collecting two years rent in advance from a salary that is going to be earned in arrears monthly, there’s an accounting mismatch.

“This is something many of us have experienced, you pay two years rent in advance money you haven’t earned. Something is distorted somewhere in our accounting model. We must all resolve, property owners alike, that maybe if we changed the way we collected rent alone many houses that are unoccupied, will be occupied.”

Fashola also spoke in relation to the housing deficit in the country, he said: “I am inclined to think that if we just change the payment system for housing we will accommodate a significant number of people”.

The ex-governor of Lagos state went on to emphasize the need to allow the rent payment system match the salary payment system.

He said: “If salaries are paid in arrears, rent should be paid in arears.” He added that a more rigorous enforcement system for eviction would then be worked out for anyone in default.”

It would be recalled that Fashola said he is planning to address housing deficits, provide good roads and increase power generation in Nigeria with extra 2, 000 megawatts.

In his short-term agenda, the minister stressed that the Lagos-Ibadan expressway and the second Niger Bridge are of great importance and would be given urgent attention by the current administration.

mekaboy:
Nonsense. has the govt ever helped the landlords in any way?

They buy land u collect tax, omonile collect their own. They have to fix the roads by themselves. Buy cement and pay for labour complete.

when they finish everything without any support from govt, then you come out to tell them how to collect rent.

Where were u when they were sourcing for funds? Did u provide any installment plans for purchase of building materials.

Fashola, I know you tried in lagos, even though u used just 30% of funds available to lagos state.

Now u act like u have pity for the poor. Which of the building projects you put up for the masses in lagos can the poor afford?

How much does a flat go for? Now your talking of house rent.

You forget that the landlord will pay the 40% increase u intend to add to electricity? You forget the landlord has to buy fuel after u remove subsidy?

Or you don't know the landlord has to buy dollars at 260 to import items to sell?

You have compassion for the poor, yet you re brand website with 78m.

Do you know that you would have empowered over 150 enteprenurs with 500k from that 78m. Instead you approved 78m for a website that has no value to the people.

Abeg make we hear word.

Montaque:
He should ban omonile, everywhere in naija.
these thugs are in every part of the country.

Millerz:
he's very correct. Its only in Nigeria and some other primitive African countries this happens in.

In the western world, house rent is paid monthly. On no account will your house owner ask for more.

Millerz:
he's very correct. Its only in Nigeria and some other primitive African countries this happens in.

In the western world, house rent is paid monthly. On no account will your house owner ask for more.

GreatSE:
Pls Fash come to Portharcourt..... But the truth is that its some tenant that actually want this..... those Shell and Total workers prefer paying for 3 yrs even.