Nigerian Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola has given the assurance that the Federal Government will respond to people’s distress over the floods that have caused damage to some of the infrastructure in most of part of the country.
Fashola made this known when performing Inauguration on Thursday at the 2022 World Habitat Day and World Cities Day held in Abuja with the theme “Mind the Gap, Leave No One and Place Behind” and that of the World Cities Day” Act Local To go Global”.
He said the report of the negative impact of the flood on roads, bridges and infrastructures nationwide was being compiled by his ministry.
“I will be receiving the reports from all the Federal Controllers of Works across Nigeria whom we have asked to go round and assess the impact of the flood on damaged bridges, roads and infrastructures and put a cost to it, so that we can respond to people in distress and crisis” he said.
In the same vein Fashola said that the striking similarity between the theme of this year’s World Habitat Day “Mind the Gap. Leave No One and Place Behind,” and that of the recently held 11th National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, which had the theme “Housing our People, by Government and All Our People, tells us Nigeria is already in line with the habitat objective”.
The Minister explained that the initiatives of the Federal Government in housing affordability and acceptability and the impact of the construction industry on the people in employment generation.
Explaining further he said that, the Government is undertaking the construction of national housing programme in 35 states including FCT, and called for the collaboration of all stakeholders since housing provision is essentially collaborative effort by all levels of government and the private sector.
On the situation of Cities globally, Fashola stated that cities account for 75 per cent of the world’s energy consumption and are responsible for over 70 per cent of global Green House gas emissions, with transport, buildings, energy, while waste management forms the bulk of urban carbon emissions.
He explained that “The future of our planet depends on national, regional and local govts and organisations, communities, academic institutions and the private sector working together to create sustainable, carbon-neutral, inclusive cities and towns”.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Works and Housing, Bashir Nura Alkali who was represented at the event by Director Highways Development, Engr, Ibi Terna said:
“As the world builds and consolidates the foundation of the New Urban Agenda, urgent steps are required to rectify past imperfections by recognising fully that development is an evolutionary assignment that cannot be entirely resolved by one agency acting alone.
“The theme of the 2022 World Habitat Day as stated earlier is intended to draw attention to growing inequalities and vulnerabilities that have been exacerbated by the triple “C” crises namely: Covid 19, Climate Change and Conflict.
“Tackling urban congestion and inequality have become an urgent global priority and Nigeria is not less concerned” he said.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) Madu Hamman said, “We have to reflect on the sustaining challenges surrounding the humans settlement and our general environment as a people.”
He said FMBN has established partneserhsip with various stakeholders to be able to deliver affordable housing and better environment for Nigerians
The President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba Philibus Wabba who was represented by Dr Upah Benson said Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) should be strenghtend in order to serve people more efficiently and to also increase the capacity of Nigerian builders.
