S/Africa APC to partner Buhari on housing, energy solutions

The South African Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has promised to work with President Muhammadu Buhari to solve problems of housing, healthcare and energy in the country.

The group, in a letter addressed to the President and jointly signed by Mr Bola Babarinde and Prof Folorunso Fasina, the chairman and secretary- general, respectively, said these were critical issues demanding urgent attention of the president.

A copy of the letter, titled “On the National Question: Critical issues demanding urgent attention of Mr President,” was made issued in Lagos Monday.

The group, which expressed pleasure in meeting with the president during his visit to South Africa, said that the low income earners and civil servants were hardly remembered by developers of mass housing schemes in the country.

“The issues of affordability hamper ordinary citizens from access to good housing and a recent research done for Niger State shows that most civil servants die a few years after retirement from active service.

“Life after service is hard because things change sharply post-retirement, including housing. The Diaspora can assist in the provision of quality and affordable housing for the low to middle income earners, particularly civil servants.

“Using modern technologies, we can provide housing solution through mortgage financing supported by single digit interest rates. Workers will have between 15 and 25 years to repay, depending on the years of service left.

“It will be credit to this government to provide housing solution and reduce the suffering of the people,” the group said.

On the health sector, the group said that the country was not doing well taking into consideration the flight of medical personnel and the amount spent on medical tourism to countries like India, South Africa, Egypt and UK.

The group said that Nigerians in Diaspora, especially professionals in South Africa, were ready to partner the government at various levels on healthcare (primary, secondary and tertiary) to confront the health issues.

The group, which commended the president for creating the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, appealed that the commission be populated with people-oriented leaders.

According to them, the institution should have some credible Nigerians who have lived outside the countries for at least 15 years to add value to the commission’s diversity and experience.

President Buhari met with the Nigerian community during a three-day official visit to South Africa between Wednesday and Friday. (NAN)