ADDRESS BY THE PERMANENT SECRETARY, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WORKS AND HOUSING, ALHAJI BABANGIDA HUSSAINI, AT THE 10TH NATIONAL COUNCIL ON LANDS, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, HELD AT MARRIOTT HOTEL, IKEJA, LAGOS ON WEDNESDAY, 20TH OCTOBER, 2021
Protocols
It is my pleasure to warmly welcome you to this crucial Technical Session (Permanent Secretary’s Segment) of the 10th Meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development with the theme “Housing Development as a Catalyst for Job Creation, Social Inclusion and Economic Development”, holding right here in the beautiful and commercial City of Lagos State.
2. Our appreciation goes to Almighty Allah who graciously accorded us the opportunity to be alive today and granted us safe journeys to this meeting, having travelled from far and near.
3. May I seize this great privilege to commend the impressive support of the Government and good people of Lagos State for hosting this Meeting, especially His Excellency, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Executive Governor of the State to host this crucial National Meeting and also providing us with a conducive environment for this Meeting. The Officials of the Lagos State Government have also worked assiduously with the Staff of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, preparatory to these Meetings. These exemplary gestures clearly demonstrate the Lagos State Government’s commitment and support to all Projects, Programmes and various Initiatives of the Federal Government.
4. This year’s Theme “Housing Development as a Catalyst for Job Creation, Social Inclusion and Economic Development” is apt and timeous considering the commitment of the present Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to address critical economic challenges confronting the Country and lifting 100Million Nigerians out of poverty through the creation of jobs and creating a just and egalitarian society through Social Inclusion.
5. Since the last 9th Council Meeting that was held in Jos, Plateau State this year, 2021, I am glad to inform you that the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing embarked on the construction of decent and affordable mass housing Nationwide under the “National Housing Programme” (NHP) and strengthened corroboration with the organized private sector under the “Public Private Partnership” (PPP) Programme to provide quality and affordable houses to Nigerians.
6. Completed Projects under this Programme have impacted massively on the National Economy through creation of direct and indirect jobs. The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has assiduously worked with and supported the Federal Mortgage Bank (FMBN) and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to provide decent and affordable Houses to Nigerians in line with the Ministry’s Mandate and also the resolve of this Administration to expand the Infrastructure and Housing Stock of the Nation.
7. Ladies and Gentlemen, the task of ensuring that housing development serves as a catalyst for job creation, social inclusion and economic development rests on the shoulders of all the Stakeholders in the Industry. While we provide the leadership for achieving the set objectives, I urge all stakeholders in the Industry to make good use of the opportunity provided by this Council Meeting to deliberate on Memoranda submitted towards formulating and strengthening Policies that would address Housing Development in Nigeria.
8. While welcoming you once again, I wish you fruitful deliberations.
