Meeting housing needs

Governance is a word used in describing ways and manner of governing the affairs of a country, state and even an organisation as the case may be. It is commonly used in political arena to describe how a political office holder manages the resources in his custody, which could be good or bad. It can, therefore, be said to be good when public affairs and resources are managed to ensure that the lowest group in the society benefits from government policies and programmes. Good governance is the one that ensures that every member of the society participates directly or indirectly in the process of policy making and has opportunity to contribute to the development of their constituencies. Activities of such governments are aimed at the progress and welfare of masses irrespective of age, sex or class in the society. In order to cater for the welfare of the masses in line with good governance principle, three basic human needs must be met: food, clothing and shelter, that is, housing.

Housing shortage has been one of the major issues of concern in Nigeria. Governments at all levels have continuously engaged in numerous housing schemes to address the problem of providing adequate and affordable housing to the citizens. In 1991, the National Housing Policy was promulgated to propose possible solutions to the housing problems in the country. The basic goal of the policy at inception was to provide affordable housing to accommodate Nigerians in a livable environment and ensure that the low income groups have access to affordable housing and other related facilities. Unhygienic and unhealthy housing can affect the security, physical health and sanity of people.  Provision of housing, which is central to human existence, is a demonstration of good governance that addresses the social, welfare and economic developments of any society. It is no wonder then that the International Human Rights Agency recommends that government at all levels should do all within its power to provide for the housing needs of its citizens.

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One can therefore argue that the housing sector is the bedrock of any given economy and also an important tool for stimulating growth and development. Housing construction indices are some of the most common measures used by analysts to gauge economic growth in any country.  In more advanced countries of the world like the United States of America and Britain, the sector contributes significantly, between 30 per cent and 70 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Investment in housing accounts for between 15 per cent and 35 per cent of aggregate investment worldwide and the sector employs approximately 10 per cent of the labour force worldwide, thereby reducing unemployment and criminality.

In line with its agenda ‘Building the Future of Ogun State Together’ and its promise of a people-centred government,  the  Dapo Abiodun administration has recognised a huge deficit in affordable housing for low income earners across the state. Within the short period of the emergence of the new government, Governor Abiodun has allocated a large percentage of its resources towards ensuring that residents in the state have decent roofs over their heads, by gradually providing  accommodation for all and sundry through one of its agencies,  Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC). The agency has commenced the development of Kings  Court Estate, with about 48,685.34 square metre approximately 4.87 hectares of land, located on Presidential Boulevard road, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta. The proposed gated community would accommodate 51 villas of five bedrooms and an attached Boy’s Quarters, with facilities including a shopping mall, club house, a recreation centre, potable water, swimming pool and uninterrupted power supply, among others. The initiative, according to the Managing Director of the Agency, Mrs Ibiyemi Adesoye, would aid the growth of the state’s economy as an investment hub in Nigeria by attracting investors, which is fundamental to the economic development and the individual prosperity of the state.

Another giant stride in this direction is the proposed  Family Homes Estate at New Makun City which is an initiative of Family Homes Funds ( FHF),   a Federal  Government Social Housing Project in collaboration with the state government  aimed at making housing affordable and available for low-income earners in the country. Knowing full well the position of Ogun State and the determination of the state government towards providing affordable housing for its citizenry, the state was chosen as one of the pilot states to test-run the scheme.  Currently, the scheme is ongoing with 36 units of studio flats, 456 units, each of 1 and 2 bedroom flats and 72 units of three bedroom bungalows at various stages of completion. With this new development, residents in the state would boast of a world class, secure, peaceful and serene environment that would meet their day-to- day challenges. As a matter of fact, the Dapo Abiodun-led administration has demonstrated its determination to make housing, not only available, but affordable to the good people of the State.  This is underscored by the recent giant strides by OPIC and Ogun State Housing Corporation which is a sister agency, established and saddled with similar mission to ensure that people in the state-owned or, at least, have access to decent, safe and sanitary housing accommodation at affordable cost with secured land tenure.

The good news for the people of the state is the commencement of mass housing estates across the state at affordable prices to address the housing deficit in the state, the Governor whose ideology is premised on ‘Building Our Future Together’ has not left out the civil servants and has assured them of the construction of more housing schemes that would not affect their take-home pay.

• • Boye is of the Ogun State Ministry of Information
    

• Nigerian Tribune