Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is to collaborate with the nation’s local government departments of Works, Housing, Transportation and Environment on slum upgrading and Urban Renewal Programme in selected states of the federation.
This was affirmed when the leadership of the National Association of Directors of Local Government Departments of Works, Housing, Transport and Environment in Nigeria paid a study and advocacy visit to the Honourable Minister, Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa in his office.
The representatives of the association were led on the visit to the housing ministry by its National President, Musa K. Adamu.
Minister Dangiwa told the delegation that beyond housing delivery, the ministry is embarking on slum upgrade and urban renewal in selected states across the country, hence the need for closer collaboration with the relevant local government department’s in the selected states in the execution of the programme.
“Through this programme, we are upgrading communities deemed not fit for human habitation by all standards and transforming them into decent, liveable communities.
We will do this by providing infrastructure like roads, water, sanitation, and other amenities.
This means we will be needing the support and collaboration of your members in these places to make our work easy” he said.
Similarly, the minister also remarked that “As Directors and Heads of departments of works, housing, transport, and environment, you have an important role to play in driving policies at the local government levels”.
He also disclosed that the housing ministry is working on another programme under the National Social Housing which will be deployed to the Local Government Areas.
“Under the National Social Housing Programme, the Federal Government wants to build 100 decent and affordable accommodations in each of the 774 Local Government Areas to the low income and underprivileged citizens” he stated.
On requests made by the association for involvement in development matters, policies and projects that are crucial to the welfare of the localities, the Minister assured them that the ministry would invite them for its subsequent annual Council meetings as observers as well as encourage agencies under the ministry to collaborate with them on housing delivery.
Earlier in his remarks, the National President of the Association Musa Adamu told the minister that the study and advocacy visit provided them the opportunity to commend the developmental efforts of the ministry.
He appealed on behalf of the Association to the Minister to partner with them in revitalising their departments for optimal performance and grassroots development.
Adamu said they were optimistic that the Honourable Minister would use his office to take decisions that would foster harmonious relationships between the Ministry and Local Governments in Nigeria.
Badamasi S. Haiba
Director Information and Public Relations
