By Danjuma Attah, Gombe
Commencement of 13 meeting of National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development holding in Gombe State.
Issues concerning building collapse bedeviling Nigeria will be at the front burner as the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development holds it’s 13th meeting in Gombe State.
At the opening ceremony, Monday morning, the organisers of the five-day meeting led by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Mohammed Bala, said the meeting will focus on how to improve the housing sector and the critical areas that needs to be addressed.
He said, “housing collapse is not only about the building but the land of the building too. If you care about people’s lives, you must consider the issue of collapse”, adding that “tackling the problem of housing collapse is a very serious issue”.
According to him, The Federal Government is seriously challenged in this area adding that it is trying to resolve this matter to ensure that the issues of building collapse is completely minimised.
He stated also that the Minister of housing and Urban Development Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has even set up a committee on the issue.
Mohammed said, experts have been invited to the meeting to make presentations on the issue stressing that “it is going to be deliberated, discussed and policy issues taken that will affect the entire country.
“This building collapse happen everyday and it is only the ones reported by the media that we know. They happen as a result of various issues, some natural, some inability of adhering to building codes, substandard materials and may others.
“So, a policy will come up and we believe that the various Government Agencies and institutions will give maximum cooperation to whatever decision that will be taken at the end of this meeting.
“The minister has always been talking about sanctions at different meetings. He is so happy that a tribunal has been instituted. He said no sacred cows should be spared. Any one found defaulting should be sanctioned”, he pointed out.
Speaking on Nigeria’s housing deficit, Mohammed said,” A committee has been set and has started working with relevant Government Agencies NPC, NBS, almost 10 agencies have been given a mandate to go and ensure we have accurate data on the housing deficit.
Also speaking, the Gombe State Commissioner for works, housing and transport, Engineer Usman Kalamu, said the meeting will pave way for stakeholders to recognise the significant importance of affordable housing in driving economic growth, militating climate change and fostering sustainable development.
He said the collective goal of the stakeholders is to provide opportunity for every individual to have access to safe, decent and affordable housing.
“Over the next few days, we will engage in productive discussions, share expertise and explore innovative solutions to address the challenges facing our sector.
“I therefore urge you to participate actively, share your insights and collaborate towards achieving the shared objectives of renewed housing agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, he stated.
