10 Things Fashola Should Do To Solve Housing Problem In Nigeria

 

  Babatunde Raji Fashola, minister of power, works and housing

President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointment of Babatunde Raji Fashola as a full fledged minister on Wednesday, November 11 is believed to be a blessing to Nigeria. This is because the3 country is facing a serious housing deficit. There are certain things Fashola should do to tackle this house problem headlong

The president stated clearly during the inauguration of his ministers that they were round pegs in round holes. This statement therefore justifies the inclusion of thew former governor of Lagos state among the new ministers. Likewise, his zeal to perform at the end of the day.

There are some things Fashola should do to assuage the sufferings of Nigerians as far as housing is concerned.

1. Federal mortgage banks should be strengthened

The present working conditions of the federal mortgage is nothing to write home about. It is very difficult to go to a mortgage bank and seek application to get a housing mortgage. Some Nigerians do not even know where the offices of the federal mortgage bank are situated in the country. This is one of the things Fashola should address quickly.

2. Building more affordable and inhabitable government estates

The present estates built by the government is out of the reach of the common man. A situation whereby a government built 3 bedroom flat sells for 18 million naira is not fair at all to the average Nigerians. Likewise, these estates are only made available to the cronies of the government. At the end of the day, nothing gets to the poor masses.

3. Removing bottle necks and bureaucracy

One of the major problems of having anything to do with the government is bottle neck. “Nothing goes for nothing” is a common term used when trying to secure something by a Nigerian in government parastatals and agencies. The new minister of housing should ensure that civil servants involved in collecting bribes before they assist Nigerians who apply for housing facilities should be dealt with punitive measures.

4. Making government lands affordable to acquire

The cost of acquiring a land is too expensive in Nigeria, especially if it is within metropolitan areas like Victoria Island, Warri and Port Harcourt. Government should map out lands in which the citizens can buy at subsidised amount.

5. Solving the problem of land grabbers/speculators

This is a major problem in South West Nigeria. Street urchins and area boys have groups whose basic work is to go to lands where houses are being built demanding for huge sum of money.In some cases.the owner of the land could cough out as much as Naira 500,000 depending on the location of the land. At times, the owner of the land may lose the land because the land might have been sold to more than 3 individuals. In addition, he may desert his land due to fear of being lynched by the land grabbers.

6. Creating healthy competition

The minister of housing should create a level playing ground for investors to come into putting their money to build estates that are affordable to the average Nigerians. This will force some landlords to bring down the money they charge for house rent. In turn, it will be easier to rent houses without paying from someone’s entire savings.

7. The problem of traditional rulers usurping people’s land

In some communities in Nigeria, some traditional rulers are the problem. They hinder people from acquiring lands to build their houses. They usurp people’s land if they fail to pay them money they unjustly charge them.

8. Uncompleted/Abandoned buildings

There are so many abandoned and uncompleted buildings in Nigeria. The government should find a way of taking over these buildings if their owners fail to show up within certain period of time

9. Decongesting major cities

Fashola should constitute a think-tank team of men and women who are professionals in housing policies. Cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt and Enugu should be made less attractive by developing cities like Ibadan where house rent is cheaper.

10. Sponsoring and passing a new housing bill

Fashola should sponsor a bew bill that will enforce and ensure that houses are easily affordable and accessible to the average Nigerians no matter where they want to live in the country