……………..We would support legislative and policy incentives to facilitate smooth takeoff of these hubs- Senate Committee.
……………..stakeholders to develop practical, sustainable solutions that would benefit Nigerians – House of Reps Committee.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has explained that the initiative to establish building materials manufacturing hubs in six geo- political zones by the Federal Government was intended to reduce the cost of building materials and significantly enhance Housing affordability in Nigeria.
The Minister made this assertion during the Ministry’s organised engagement with stakeholders in the housing sector held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, Thursday, 20th February, 2025.
The theme for the stakeholders engagement is “Actualizing the Renewed Hope Agenda for Housing and Urban Development: Examining Strategies, Identifying Opportunities to Boost Scale and Impact.
Arc Dangiwa emphasized that boosting local production and implementing strategic fiscal incentives would lower housing construction costs and improve accessibility to affordable housing.
“Fiscal incentives are among the most effective tools available to us. These include tax reductions for local manufacturers, custom duty waivers for importing machinery and raw materials, grants and subsidies to scale up production, access to affordable financing through low-interest loans, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to drive innovation and growth,” he stated.
He further disclosed that the building materials manufacturing hubs would be established in existing trade zones because they offer significant advantages such as tax incentives, reduced regulatory burdens, and market access.
In his opening statement, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Yusuf Ata, revealed that the hubs will be strategically located in states such as Abia, Ogun, Kwara, Kano, Gombe, and Delta, with each hub serving its respective zone, adding that the initiative would enhance production capabilities, vocational training, and innovation.
To ensure the effective implementation and oversight of these hubs, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development will establish a central oversight committee, chaired by the Honourable Minister, with representatives from states’ governments, universities, vocational institutions, and industry unions.
In a goodwill message, Vice Chairman , Senate Committee on Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Senator Victor Umeh, assured that the National Assembly would support legislative and policy incentives to facilitate the smooth takeoff of these hubs.
He identified key areas requiring legislative backing, including tax relief, import duty waivers, subsidies for local manufacturers, access to low-interest financing, infrastructure support, and research and development.
Similarly, Chairman, House Committee on Regional Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Abiante Awaji, urged stakeholders to develop practical and sustainable solutions that would benefit Nigerians.
In his welcome address, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, emphasized that the engagement was an opportunity for stakeholders to deliberate on innovative solutions, incentives, and policies that would attract investment into the local building materials industry.
Dr. Belgore outlined key areas of focus for discussions to include; enhancing local production through policy and regulatory support, improving infrastructure and transportation networks, addressing energy costs, promoting sustainability, building capacity and skills, increasing access to financing, and optimizing the demand and supply of alternative building materials.
The Stakeholders’ Engagement provided a platform for robust discussions aimed at positioning Nigeria’s building materials industry for sustainable growth, job creation, and improved housing affordability.
Signed
Salisu Badamasi Haiba
Director (Press and Public Relations)
