Dangiwa Advocates Rapid Implementation of Housing Reforms by State Governments
The Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has called for the rapid implementation of housing reforms by State Governments to create an enabling environment for increased private sector investment and improve access to affordable housing.
The Minister said this during a courtesy visit by the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Mal. Dikko Umaru Radda Phd, on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.
He mentioned that as part of the Ministry’s stakeholder engagement drive, it will work closely with sub-national governments and provide the necessary policy and institutional support towards implementing housing reform initiatives in line with the Renewed Hope Vision of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for housing and urban development.
This includes the review of the Land Use Act of 1978 and the establishment of mortgage registries. He also emphasized the importance of adoption and passage of mortgage foreclosure laws by State Houses of Assemblies as key to creating an enabling environment for private sector investment in housing, stimulating economic growth, and providing our citizens with access to affordable housing.
Arc. Dangiwa urged the Katsina State Government to embrace the initiatives and deepen collaboration with key housing agencies, including the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Housing Authority, and the Family Homes Funds, to increase access to affordable housing for Katsina indigenes.
“As a Ministry, we will provide all the necessary support to make this collaboration a success. Together, we can work towards increasing the stock of affordable housing ensuring that our people have access to quality homes that are well within their reach.”
The Minister also expressed readiness of the Ministry to partner with the Katsina State Government towards building new cities by leveraging Public Private Partnerships with local and international players and innovative housing finance mechanisms to improve the housing landscape in the state.
Also speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijani Gwarzo, said the Ministry is ready to explore areas of collaboration that would help Katsina State meet its affordable housing goals.
Earlier in his remarks, the Katsina State Governor, Mal. Dikko, described Dangiwa, as a thorough professional deeply committed to nation-building.
While congratulating the Ministers on their well-deserved appointments, the Governor noted that Arc Dangiwa has distinguished himself in service and has remained committed to the national project of socioeconomic development. "He is a gentleman to the core. He is very professional, and I'm confident that, together with the Minister of State, Alhaji Gwarzo, he will steer the ministry to great heights. If not for this important national assignment, we wouldn't have let him leave Katsina state," he said.
Speaking further, Governor Radda said the state is open to meaningful collaboration with the ministry in the areas of affordable housing and urban renewal, which are critical focuses of his administration. "We want to collaborate, and we want to learn from you. Subsequently, members of our staff will be coming to you to learn from the ministry's experience and expertise so that we can key into the transformation that the Minister is set to bring to the sector," he noted.
He urged the management and staff of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to provide the ministers with all the support and cooperation they need to deliver on their mandate, stressing that they should be proud that the President deemed it fit to send one of Nigeria's best brains to head the affairs of the ministry. "I can assure you that you're in good hands. Just cooperate with him, and you will definitely be proud of what will be achieved in the sector," he added.
