https://punchng.com/nigeria-has-no-housing-deficit-says-fashola/

Okechukwu Nnodim

9 July 2021

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, on Thursday said that there was nothing like housing deficit in Nigeria.

Operators in the built environment as well as government officials had before now put the housing deficit in Nigeria at about 17 million.

But while speaking in Abuja at the inauguration of the Board of Directors of the Federal Housing Authority on Thursday, Fashola argued that the housing deficit claims had no scientific and logical basis.

He said, “There is something out there before we came in that Nigeria has housing deficit; it’s a lie.

“Unfortunately, it was a document that originated from this ministry in 2012. It has no scientific basis, nor logical basis; so ignore it.”

Fashola said the housing problem was an urban problem, stressing that people who rented houses in the urban centres had empty buildings in their villages.

“Whether in Lagos, Kaduna, Abuja or Ibadan, we see empty and unoccupied houses and we need to begin to understand this problem,” he said.

He said it was time to begin to think on how to unlock and bring the empty houses into the market.

“If we have things that are not used, does it make sense when we say that we have deficit of things available but not used?” the minister asked.

He charged the newly appointed board members not be blocked by the definition of deficit, but channel their understanding and professionalism for the benefit of all.

“Essentially, your role will be as defined by the FHA Act and I urge you to quickly acquaint yourself with the responsibility under the act,” Fashola said.

The Board Chairman, FHA, Senator Lawal Shuaibu, commended the minister for the prompt inauguration of the board as approved by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

He assured the minister that the board would implement the policies before the authority and would not come up with excuses on non-performance.

Mynd44
Lalasticlala

This man is high

Must be sniffing glue or something.

They cannot deliver and have resorted to lying.

Rocket scientist

Bandit government

Brain don dey pain am to?

Argh?? Okay there is excess in housing but with 3ok minimum wage that most states refuse to pay, citizens should magically afford 30-100million naira houses ba.

Clueless Administration of incompetent politicians.

Can't forget how this same fashola used to run his mouth about getting things done in six months now after Six years he has achieved nothing as a minister.

Very anyhow mofos parading themselves in corridors of leadership positions.

FarahAideed:


What do you mean he has achieved nothing? . Come on the man just solved NIGERIas housing deficit problem be declaring it a hoax

Your sarcasm is noted...I'm so angry that the only thing that still keep smiles on my face recently is because I earn in $s and also have people been mentored to do same....else ill be cranky always....SMH.

We need young visionary leaders come 2023.

@Seniorwriter

We have no housing deficit because there are many empty= unused houses

We have no poverty because there are many unused bank balances =unused money

There is no hunger because there is plenty of food in the market Nigerians are stubborn and refuse to buy food


Makes sense

I have always maintained Fashola was being overated as governor of Lagos and he keeps proving me right

Seniorwriter:
Clueless Administration of incompetent politicians.

Can't forget how this same fashola used to run his mouth about getting things done in six months now after Six years he has achieved nothing as a minister.

Very anyhow mofos parading themselves in corridors of leadership positions.

We need young visionary leaders come 2023.

@Seniorwriter

What do you mean he has achieved nothing? . Come on the man just solved NIGERIas housing deficit problem be declaring it a hoax

That's what happens when you put an elite barrister with no specialty on Humanitarian corridors to oversee housing deficit.

For the government, it shouldn't even about availability but affordability.

Rural Urban migration management and control is still the function of the government.

Omo see Bleep up

FarahAideed:


What do you mean he has achieved nothing? . Come on the man just solved NIGERIas housing deficit problem be declaring it a hoax

But his explanation makes sense to me, though I will still blame him for taking this long to appraise and arrive at this position. While a housing deficit truly might exist, Fashola's pronouncement is being hinged on a more scientific audit of sorts.