– Reps Promise Partnership To Reduce 17m Deficit
The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) is seeking a review of its establishment Act to strengthen its operations and help in delivering its mandate of providing affordable housing to Nigerians.
Its Managing Director, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, made this known during a visit by the management of the authority to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, at the National Assembly on Tuesday in Abuja.
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Ashafa visited in company with the agency’s Executive Director, Business Development, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin.
Both Ashafa and Jibrin had once served as members of the National Assembly, the former in the Senate while the latter was at the House.
The FHA was established primarily to provide “affordable housing to all income groups across the entire nation.”
However, this has largely remained a mirage as the county’s housing deficit continues to worsen year after year.
Findings by THE WHISTLER indicate that Nigeria has a housing deficit of over 17million houses.
A recent study by PriceWaterhouseCoopers observed that while the country currently built about 100,000 houses yearly, it indeed needed to build 700,000 new houses annually to bridge the gap.
Recently, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, disclosed that the housing deficit was as high as 22million houses.
In 2020, the Federal Government budgeted about N60billion for housing, an amount considered a far cry from meeting the annual housing requirement for Nigerians.
Addressing Gbajabiamila, Ashafa stated, “I would want to emphasise the main reason why we are here, which is the collaboration with the National Assembly to achieve our mandate.
“We have found out of recent that some of the items under the Act needed to be worked on.
“It’s on this regard that we came for this visit and crave the indulgence of the House.”
Ashafa did not give details of the areas planned for review, but he stated that they would position the agency to deliver on its mandate.
Gbajabiamila, who seemed happy to see the two former lawmakers, especially Jibrin, his protégé, did not waste time in promising the support of the House for the FHA under its current management.
He said the House would do everything within its legislative powers to help the FHA to do its job, including the review of relevant laws.
“We are happy that you are here. We look forward to collaborating with you on very pertinent issues.
“I have no doubt that with the kind of team you have, the FHA is about to witness turnaround for good”, his spokesman, Lanre Lasisi, quoted Gbajabiamila as saying.
Speaking on the importance of housing, Gbajabiamila said, “There is no way you will talk about the development of any country without talking about housing or shelter.
“By God’s grace, with you guys on the saddle, Nigeria will witness a lot of roofs on our heads. So, we are very ready to collaborate and partner with you.”