Mr Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing.
The promoters of the Abuja Housing Show have commended the Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola plans for affordable housing in the country.
They forum says the annual show is poised support the ministry meet whatever target it sets in affordable housing delivery.In statement, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fesadeb Communications, producer of Housing Programme on AIT and Housing Time on Raypower, Mr. Festus Adebayo maintained that contrary to claims that Fashola is not favourably disposed affordable housing provision, the minister is indeed working hard to make housing provision easy for those in the lower rung of the social ladder.
He said the presentation made to the minister members of the House Committee on Housing in the National Assembly is a proof that the ministry is working hard in affordable housing provision. During the interactive session Fashola unveiled plans for low cost housing in Nigeria.
Adebayo promised that the minister’s presentation would be deliberated upon in the forthcoming Abuja Housing Show. The 10th Abuja Housing Show scheduled for July 18 - 20, 2016 will look at how to expand access to affordable housing in Africa.
Already 10 countries and 200 indigenous companies have confirmed their participation.Excited by the minister’s presentation, the organizer of Abuja Housing Show has reiterated call on investment in affordable housing stressing that it is an area with huge and untapped potential.
Adebayo particularly wants foreign participants to come with resources to invest in affordable housing saying, “President Muhammadu Buhari government has good plans for foreign investors.”
Participants from Turkey, China, Netherlands, UK, USA, Ghana, South Africa, Ireland, Kenya and Brazil have shown commitment to come.The housing promoter maintained that Nigeria needs support from international financial organisations to re-engineer the mortgage system.
Fashola is the Chief Host of the 10 Abuja Housing Show while the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Muhammad Bello is Guest of Honour.
The opening ceremony will feature participation of members of National Assembly where the issue of legislative barriers to Housing Development in Nigeria will be handled as Senator Osita Izunaso; National organising secretary of APC will be the Guest Speaker, while Senate President Bukola Saraki will be special Guest of honour.
He advised state Commissioners of Lands and Urban Development to use the forthcoming Abuja Housing Show to interact with professionals in all areas of housing/construction industry to get new ideas.
The Abuja Housing Show is an annual one stop-shop for real estate stakeholders presenting new products, innovative services and technology and it’s the largest in West Africa.
The theme of the event is “Expanding Access to Affordable Housing in Africa” and will be declared open by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Speakers from Spain, South Africa, USA, Gambia and Nigeria have been carefully selected to deliver lectures on diverse topics.
Adebayo said there would be lottery and award dinner to mark the 10th anniversary of the show and appreciate stakeholders for their efforts in the industry.He said the star prize for the lottery is a vast piece of land to be won through a raffle draw.