The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, has commenced the harmonization of all procedures of land acquisitions and transfers nationwide.
This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Housing, Muhammad Bukar, at the on-going 8th Meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, taking place in Abuja.
The Permanent Secretary explained that the process for harmonization was to create seamless access to acquiring lands and promote home ownership, targeted at low and middle income earners in the country.
Muhammad Bukar further stated that the Ministry in conjunction with Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) was focussing on Rent-to-own or Rental Purchase Scheme and the Cooperative Housing Programme for the construction of mass housing units for interested citizens.
He urged participants to brainstorm diligently on issues submitted in the memoranda from States, to present appropriate recommendations to the Council.
The Permanent Secretary of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, while giving his remarks, stressed the need to develop the housing sector to enable Nigerians that wish to own their houses, do so with little or no strain.
He noted that the biggest problem to home ownership was lack of financing. He added that the Council Meeting offered a great opportunity to proffer solutions to the perennial housing deficits in the country and come up with strategies to ensure availability of credit facilities to those who need them.
Stephen Kilebi
Deputy Director
(Press and Public Relations)
