By
Dr. Anthony Phillips
An allocation of N126 billion set aside last week by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for 100,000 housing units nationwide (with 6,000 pilot units) looks like another leakage, aimed at servicing the usual Nigerian bloodsuckers and thieves.
It IS already raisING suspicion the fact that the President appointed his son-in-law as CEO of the Federal Housing Authority one day and, the NEXT day, he promptly shoveLs that colossal sum to the agency.
The problem of housing is the least of all the problems facing the Federal Government. Housing shortages in the country should be localized by allowing the local government to provide specified housing projects that would benefit the local population. These developments could be funded jointly by Federal, state and local governments. The idea of the Federal Government acquiring land from the states for the purpose of building houses for sale would not be equitable to the various communities being deprived of their land. It is laudable that attempts are being made by the Federal Government to provide housing for its citizens but it is not always in the interest of the states and local governments for the Federal Government to develop the projects either directly or indirectly
Most often the local communities are economically deprived with very little or no access to such resources. Even the allocation of most of these houses does not take into consideration the local population. Ignoring our local communities from service provision of this nature can only contribute more to impoverishing our communities.
A serious attempt to provide housing across the 36 states would require a comprehensive plan for housing developments that would address the needs of the people. The idea of 6,000 pilot programmes is suggestive of a plan to develop some targeted locations in specific communities.
Why carry out a pilot programme and not a survey to determine whether or not the project is cost effective?
The Federal Government should provide the enabling facilities to make such a programme more accessible and affordable.
Why would the Federal Government involve itself in building and selling houses?
It is unnecessary, given the magnitude of its workload and the enormous challenges facing the nation. What is it going to do differently after many failed attempts in the past? The Federal Government provision of housing projects cannot be cost effective and if it must be handled by developers the states are better placed to supervise the projects. One can only wonder why the Federal Government has decided on this policy, given the herculean task facing it currently.
To mention a few of the problems plaguing the nation and begging for Federal attention:
1) Insecurity,
2) Food shortage,
3) Lack of healthcare services,
4) Economic crisis resulting in high inflation and devaluation of our currency,
5) Unending poverty, robbery and corruption in high places,
6) Moral decadence,
7) Inadequate infrastructural provision,
8) Warped educational system,
9) Agriculture and rural development
10) Lack of basic needs for the masses, etc.
This President should please focus on addressing the above listed urgent needs of our people and not spread its tentacles to areas where the states and local governments can handle effectively and more efficiently.
ANTHONY PHILLIPS WROTE FROM LAGOS
