By Esther Alexander
The Honorable Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has assured his unwavering support towards achieving credible housing data in Nigeria.
The collaboration was reiterated when the minister received a delegation of the National Population Commission (NPC) led by the Chairman Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra in Abuja.
According to Dangiwa, Nigeria has struggled with conflicting and unverified figures regarding its housing deficit, with estimates ranging from 17 million to 28 million. “These discrepancies have not only been a source of embarrassment but also an obstacle to effective policymaking and strategic planning”.
Dangiwa emphasized the need for accurate, credible, verifiable, and scientifically sound data on the housing deficit and the living conditions of homes across Nigeria. Such data, he said, is essential to develop effective strategies to tackle the housing shortage and ensure that every Nigerian has access to safe and affordable housing.
“The collaboration with the National Population Commission will involve the design and implementation of survey instruments tailored to address housing-related questions. By working together, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the NPC aim to establish accurate and credible data on the housing deficit, providing a solid foundation for housing policy design and planning”.
He also added that the collaboration with the National Population Commission, particularly in the context of the upcoming national census, represents a pivotal step in achieving a successful housing data.
“The census provides a unique opportunity to gather precise and comprehensive data on the housing needs of Nigeria’s population”.
“The initiative goes beyond mere numbers; it is about improving the quality of life for Nigerians”.
While speaking, the Chairman Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra also assured that the commission is working tirelessly with the National Assembly to ensure that the upcoming census is conducted following the United Nations recommendation.
He added that the commission is ready to work with relevant agencies in achieving a successful population and housing census.
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Source: AfricaHousingNews