Reps Seek Housing Policy For Abuja Residents

ABUJA, January 17, (THEWILL) - The House of Representatives Tuesday passed a motion which sought a comprehensive and integrated housing policy for residents of the Federal Capital Territory [FCT].
 
It has also mandated its Committees on Federal Capital Territory [FCT] as well as Housing and Habitat to conduct a public Hearing by inviting all the relevant stakeholders with a view to fashioning out a comprehensive and integrated Housing scheme in the FCT.
 
Hon. Friday Itulah who sponsored the motion had expressed concern on the high cost of living in the federal Capital city and its environs, a situation he noted, has become unbearable and out of reach of the ordinary Nigerians.
 
He pointed out that efforts by the Federal Government and some private developers towards the provision of housing for residents in the FCT has not been adequate for the increasing population and work force in Abuja.
 
According to him, the lack of adequate accommodation has the tendency to create security challenges and also negates the principles of environmental sustainability and livelihoods necessary for the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals [MDGs].
 
“Due to the high cost of rent on accommodation many civil servants come from far distances to work in the capital city, resulting in the loss of man hour and productivity with negative consequences on the economy,” he said.
 
While also expressing concern on the high cost of rents in the FCT due to high lending rates by mortgage banks and the profit oriented estates provided by the private developers, the lawmaker pointed out that the provision and guarantee of shelter is one of the basic fundamental necessities of life which, according to him, forms part of the cardinal objectives of the Federal Government.
 
Also, the House has mandated its Committees on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency [FERMA] and Works to liaise with the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies [MDAs] to undertake urgent repairs on the Ajaokuta-Okene road to allow for easy access.
 
Adopting a motion brought by Sadiq Asema Mohammed on the deplorable condition of the road in Kogi state, the Chamber further tasked the Committee on Works to investigate why no attention is given to the road in the previous years and to take bold steps to reconstruct the road which was constructed in the mid seventies by the Federal Government.
 
The lawmaker had in his submission raised the alarm that the deplorable state of the road has affected economic, business and social activities within Kogi state and its neighbouring states, particularly Benue and Eastern Nigeria.
 
In a related development, the Chamber called on the Federal Ministry of Works to immediately commence the design for the dualization of the 9th Mile/Nsukka/Obollo Affor/Otukpa/Anyingba/Ajaokuta Highway pursuant to the budgetary allocation in the Appropriation Act, 2011.   
 
The House further urged the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency [FERMA], Federal Road Safety Commission [FRSC] and other relevant government agencies to take temporary measures aimed at ensuring the safety of lives of persons travelling on the road.