The Chief Executive Officer, International Housing and Construction Show Limited, Mr Festus Adebayo has called on state governments and stake holders of the Nigerian built environment to strategize and complement the effort of the Federal Government to provide affordable houses to Nigerians, adding that shelter remains the second most important need of man after food.
The CEO, whose organisation won the 2018 Award of Excellence bestowed by the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) for its “invaluable contributions to the development of the Nigeria housing industry” said the 12th edition of the programme scheduled to hold from July 14 to July 19, 2018 would feature experts in the housing sector to address the demands of housing deficit in the country.
Adebayo explained that the annual Abuja International Housing Show which started 11 years ago has carved for itself, an international reputation in the course of finding lasting solutions to shortages of housing in Nigeria.
“Abuja international housing show has become a platform where those thinking of how to have a home have their dreams actualized,” he said.
Adebayo who earlier won the 2017 Award of the Nigerian Institute of Building Award (NIOB) for the role he played in opening up talks that have led to the provision of low income housing in Nigeria, said the provision of homes is a capital intensive project which needs the concerted effort of stakeholders for maximum success.
“Apart from complementing the effort of the federal government and some state governments, the annual Abuja international Housing Show (AIHS) seeks to provide the roundtables needed for financiers to interface with real estate developers with the aim of arriving at a way forward in housing finance in the country,” he said.
He noted that there is need to look at the sources of financing construction of housing to make life meaningful for Nigerians.
Discussing the peculiarities of the 12th edition of the Abuja International Housing Show, Adebayo said: “The Theme of the 12th edition of AIHS is ‘Everyone Deserves a Home,’” adding that the package is the largest international real estate festival in Africa which have been attended by many Nigeria leaders some of who include Senate President, Honorable Speaker of legislatures, State Governors and Ministers among others.
The TRUTH recalls that the present Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola recently commended the organisers of the show during his presentation at the 2017 AIHS.
Analysts agree that the international housing show and exhibitions have carved a niche for itself, becoming a credible platform where people network, promote their businesses and make housing available at affordable rates.
Discussing the collaborations with stakeholders aimed at producing best results, Mr Adebayo said: Abuja international housing show has attracted the partnership of the World Bank, Africa Union of Housing Finance, UN Habitat and all major housing related professional bodies among others, adding that the organization is still open to development collaborations with reputable bodies which aim to pursue the same objective as AIHS.
He said that all these were aimed at complementing the Federal Government’s efforts in providing affordable housing.
Adebayo added that the 12th edition of the programme would leverage on the gains of previous editions by focusing more on the growth of the housing sector.
He noted that that the issues of affordability of houses, interest rate, access to land, green housing and local building materials would be discussed to give Nigerians access to own their houses.
He called on the Federal Government to do more in the area of housing affordability and availability.
Adebayo further urged the government to take a clue from the governments of India, Singapore and Malaysia on how they were able to address their housing challenges.
He said that would help to improve on better ways to get it right in the provision of housing to the Nigerians.
