Opening Remarks By The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry Of Works & Housing, Babanggida Hussaini At The Meeting Of Permanent Secretaries For The 9th National Council On Lands, Housing And Urban Development In Jos, Plateau State On Wednesday, 28th April, 2021
Protocol
I am delighted to welcome you all to the 9th meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development with the theme “Housing Delivery in the Covid-19 Era and Beyond: the strategies for Affordability and Accessibility” holding in Jos, Plateau State. It is important that I used this opportunity to convey our appreciation to the Government and people of Plateau State for working tirelessly in making sure that this event is a successful one.
2. The theme for this year’s meeting is carefully selected to harness the stakeholders’ views on the myriad of challenges affecting the delivery of affordable and accessible housing in Nigeria and how to refine strategies to address such challenges during and post Covid-19 pandemic era. Some of the notable challenges brought about by the Covid – 19 era are the decline in per capita income of the world population resulting in the global economic meltdown, issues of security, particularly how to address the safety of works on sites and the occupants of houses during and after the Covid – 19 era.
3. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the primary responsibility of nations the Wprld over has being the guarantee of the security of lives and properties of its citizens and the provision of policies and measures that leads to the socio-economic wellbeing of its citizens. Therefore, the theme of the meeting “Housing Delivery in the Covid-19 era and beyond: the Strategies for Affordability and Accessibility” is apt as it provides the stakeholders the forum to deliberate and come up with decisions on how to address issues of safety and security, economy, job creation, poverty alleviation, growth and empowerment of the informal sector among others.
4. The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing is currently implementing programmes and policies that are aimed at providing affordable and accessible housing in the Country. Some of these activities and programmes include: collaboration with the Private Sector on the provision of affordable and quality housing in the Country through the Site and Services Scheme, improved Land Administration and Management, National Housing Programme which is in its second phase, the development of the Nigeria National Building Code and Energy Efficiency Code. There is no doubt in my mind that when all these are being implemented nationwide, these measures would address some of the affordability and accessibilty challenges as well as enhance housing delivery in the Country.
5. As you are aware, the Council meeting is heralded by a 2-Day Technical meeting which took place on Monday – Tuesday (26rd – 27th April, 2021) wher all memoranda submitted by the various stakeholders are being considered, reviewed it and recommendations submitted to the meeting of the Permanent Secretaries for further review. Our responsibility, therefore is to improve on the foundation laid at the Technical meeting carefully review the submissions so as to ensure a result oriented Council meeting.
6. Once again, I welcome you all to the meeting of Permanent Secretaries of this year’s Council meeting and wish you fruitful deliberations.
7. Thank you for your kind attention.
