FG plans intervention programme to upgrade infrastructure in slums
The Federal Government is planning an intervention programme in collaboration with state governments for the upgrade of infrastructure in slums across the country and lifting Nigerians out of poverty.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, spoke about this intervention during a live on NTA television programme in Abuja.
Fashola stated that the National Housing Programme that we started in 2016 had to be first discussed at the National Council on Housing before it could take place, adding that the issues about slums were being deliberated there but the final solution lies with collaboration with the states and what each state does in its own territory.
Fashola said this development is now an initiative post COVID-19, in line with the desire of the President to help mitigate the economic plights of Nigerians, stressing that some will need a drainage, others a drainage and a road, while some will need a remodeling of their water source.
The minister revealed that the ministry had issued thousands of Certificates-Of-Occupancy and title documents in the last two years, improved the quality of infrastructure with a view to move people away from poverty towards prosperity and built roads in slums which will make the income of landlords to eventually increase.
He noted that every time there is infrastructure intervention to upgrade the slum, to build a road, the quality of life there appreciates.
The minister assured that there will be more rental income, more credit value for their houses and by just issuing title documents and C-of-Os of almost 4,000 in the last two years.
According to him, a good synergy exists between the federal and state governments, adding that 34 states had provided land to the Federal Government for the construction of mass housing units while two others are yet to give land for the said scheme.
He enthused that the National Housing Programme is ongoing in 34 states that have given government land, adding that his state, Lagos has not offered land, but they are expecting.
