Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr Muttaqha Rabe Darma, has met with the German – French (GIZ-AFD), Development Agencies on a joint mission in Nigeria, stressing that the Ministry was committed to working closely with its development partners to translate agreed interventions into tangible outcomes. This was contained in a statement signed by Badamasi S. Haiba, Fsca, mnipr, Director, Press and Public Relations.
The Minister endorsed the proposed areas of collaboration between the Ministry and the GIZ- AFD, aimed at strengthening capacity, promoting sustainable building practices and supporting housing delivery.
He told the agencies that the social housing programme is central to the present Renewed Hope Administration and the Ministry’s mandate, saying that Government is committed to delivering about 774,000 housing units across the country.
” The Ministry is committed to working closely with its development partners to translate agreed interventions into tangible outcomes. This engagement should be a two-way process that allows both sides to exchange ideas and align priorities” he stated.
He disclosed that the Ministry would establish a dedicated team to follow up on the issues discussed, adding that formal communication would be made to GIZ -AFD on the areas requiring further engagement and implementation.
On the Ministry’s housing delivery plans, the Minister said the Federal Government plans to build about 770,000 housing units across Nigeria, with the Ministry starting with 11,000 units this year as an initial step towards achieving the target.
“But I must also add that what we discuss here, especially the issue of social housing, is very key to this ministry.”, he said.
Accordingly, the Minister emphasized the importance of social housing to the Ministry’s mandate, particularly in expanding access to decent and affordable homes for Nigerians.
Earlier, the leader of the GIZ delegation, Joshua Yari Garba who is the Implementing Manager and Deputy Cluster Coordinator at GIZ, said the delegation’s visit formed part of wider consultations with stakeholders on support for Nigeria’s housing sector.
Garba outlined several potential areas of collaboration to include support for the Renewed Hope Housing Programme in partnership with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA); assistance with the review of the National Building Code, with emphasis on climate resilience.
Other areas are energy efficiency and green building standards; capacity building for Ministry staff and artisans; energy audit of the Ministry building; and support for the implementation of pilot housing projects.
He also noted that potential funding opportunities through the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Green Climate Fund were discussed as part of efforts to support sustainable housing development in Nigeria.
The engagement underscores the Ministry’s continued collaboration with international development partners to strengthen institutional capacity, promote sustainable construction practices and support the delivery of affordable and resilient housing across the country.
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