New minister outlines solution-focused steps to tackle housing deficit

Muttaqa Darma, Nigeria’s new Housing and Urban Development minister, is seems to be on the fast lane towards tackling Nigeria’s housing problem. The minister, who was confirmed by the Senate a couple of weeks ago, has, so far, outlined some steps focused on making housing accessible and affordable.

The minister is highly worried about the high cost of housing and so has pledged to review it, noting that properties worth N25 million and above in Abuja and other locations are out of reach for many Nigerians.

“A one-bedroom house selling in Abuja for N25 million or N30 million means it is not for even the middle class,” he said, adding, “Certainly, we will look into it and make sure that houses are affordable.”

Darma revealed that he was not one of those who do political talks,  adding that anyone who thinks he or she wants to sabotage the government’s  efforts will certainly clear the way for him and his team.

The minister said that his ministry would set targets and be assessed based on delivery, arguing that, if after three months they say they are going to achieve something and they do not achieve it, then it means they are failing.

Questioning the sustainability of some projects under the ministry, the minister wondered if those in charge are saying such projects are no longer sustainable or they are dilapidated already.

“If not, then sustainability should have been taken into account,” he said, warning that houses sold to civil servants should not be maintained by the government.

Darma said he would meet with directors to assess the ministry before engaging stakeholders and presenting a plan to the President. “In the next few days, we shall sit together with the directors to look at the ministry comprehensively,” he said.

Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, told the new minister that the ministry delivered housing projects through public-private partnerships (PPP).

According to him, “the ministry recorded milestones, particularly in leveraging public-private partnership as a key vehicle for housing delivery,” he said, pointing out, however, that funding gaps slowed implementation.

He added that the ministry faces challenges, particularly inadequate and delayed release of budgetary allocations.