Tackle corruption in housing sub-sector, real estate expert urges FG
Managing director of Echo Grand Group of Companies, an Abuja-based real estate firm, Martin Chimdi Amadi, says there is an urgent need for government at all levels to eliminate the corruption ravaging the housing sub-sector in order to meet the housing needs of Nigerians.
According to Amadi, unless this is done, meeting the 17 million housing deficit of the country will remain a pipe dream.
Amadi, who stated this in an interview with journalists during the 25th coronation anniversary of the traditional ruler of Awaka Ancient town in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, said corruption remained a major setback to achieving the ‘housing for all’ programme of the federal and state governments in Nigeria.
He said rather than render selfless service, public officials entrusted with the assignment of ensuring housing for all divert the monies and use same to erect structures in major cities of the country for themselves and families.
“In Abuja, where we live, there are many buildings wasting away without anybody residing in them, because these structures were built with monies the owners cannot openly account for the way and manner they got them,” he said.
The managing director of Echo Grand alleged that because of the anti-corruption campaign currently going on, the owners of such uninhabited buildings had gone into hiding, to the extent that the buildings were now left vacant.
He called on government to come up with a transparent and more realistic housing policy that would favour low-income earners, noting that public servants were the worst hit.
”In most parts of the satellite towns of Abuja, the cost of renting accommodation has gone beyond the reach of average civil servants, and the problem has resulted in people vacating their buildings.
“In Kubwa, for instance, one bedroom flat now goes for N150,000 per annum; at some estates, three-bedroom flat goes for N1.5 million per year, and a lot of people cannot afford these rents,” he said.
Amadi, who maintained that transparent handling of public offices was key to addressing the nation’s housing need, added that with a transparent leadership, a lot could be achieved in the real estate sub-sector.
“Public office holders should stop excessive quest for personal aggrandisement, we should try to be open and honest, especially to protect the interest of Nigerian masses so as to enable most Nigerians have a roof covering their heads,” Amadi said.