By Emmanuel Obisue
Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana, has informed that the Federal Government is refocusing policies and efforts to deliver better housing in the hinterland and coastal areas of the Niger Delta region.
Umana who was represented by the Deputy Director, Project Design and Development, Arc. Agbu Bala, dropped the policy hint in Abuja during the week at the 2022 Housing Awards ceremony organised by the Housing Circuit Limited.
The minister who spoke on the “Prospects and Constraints in Housing Development in Riverine Areas of Nigeria” in his keynote address, said housing development is “a key goal in the development programme of the Ministry of Niger Delta affairs for the Niger Delta region”.
The minister said the National Council on Niger Delta has approved a new policy trust that recognizes the need for different treatment and approach to rural and urban housing development in the region.
He explained that the ministry is initiating more viable policies in rural housing which target partnerships with communities, cooperatives and other stakeholders in the planning and delivery of affordable but quality housing.
Minister of State, Niger Delta Affairs, Sharon Ikeazor; Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; and President, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Dr. David Oluwamotemi, were among the recipients of the award of excellence at the event.
