Housing Deficit Worsened by Lack of Data- Expert.

The housing deficit will be a recurrent problem in Nigeria owing to inadequate and inappropriate statistical data, according to the Managing Director of Sow Real Estate Limited, Uzor Onukwubiri.

Onukwubiri made this assertion during a dinner organised in Abuja by the company to mark its 10th anniversary, adding that the level of housing shortage in the country was not adequately presented by managers of the housing sector.

She emphasized that until the aforesaid issues are addressed, effective housing delivery in the country may remain elusive.

The MD Sow Real Estate Limited lamented that one key issue affecting housing delivery in Nigeria is that the level of housing shortage has not been adequately presented due to inadequate and inappropriate statistics and data by the managers of housing in Nigeria.

She however added that attempts were being made to estimate the magnitude of housing shortage in the country.

She cited the National Housing Policy  which specified that to achieve the goal of providing 15 million housing units by the year 2022, 1. 2 million housing units would have to be built yearly.

Onukwubiri highlighted that although the exact reasons for the housing shortage differ across the country, the major problem in Nigeria was the low income of residents.

The housing expert posited that this became an issue since privately constructed houses were expected to comply with official planning laws and other costs incurred during the construction of the house.

She disclosed that since its establishment 10 years ago, Sow Real Estate Limited had spared no efforts to turn housing dreams and desires into innovative reality while ensuring the maximum satisfaction of its subscribers and clients.

Onukwubiri added “It has been our pressing desire to play more than a passing role in curing the housing deficit in Nigeria through unique models that cater to individual preferences while staying affordable.

“We note that housing is the second most essential basic need of humankind outside food. Its impact on the health and welfare and output of man is profound.

“Therefore, housing plays a vital role in a person’s standard of living and place in the society.”

She stated further that Nigeria has an estimated population of about 200 million people, stressing that about 30 per cent of the entire population still struggles with quality shelter and housing crisis.

Consequently, she said, this implies that urgent attention should be placed on the country’s housing sector if the housing needs of Nigerians were to be satisfied.