The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has disclosed that his ministry is compiling the report of the negative impact of the flood on roads, bridges and infrastructures nationwide.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Blessing Lere-Adams, over the weekend, Fashola spoke at the 2022 World Habitat Day and World Cities Day held in Abuja recently.
“I will be receiving the reports from all the Federal Controllers of Works across Nigeria whom we have asked to go round and assess the impact of the flood on the damaged bridges , roads and infrastructures and put a cost to it , so that we can respond to people in distress and crisis” he said .
He explained the initiatives of the Federal Government in housing affordability and acceptability and the impact of the construction industry on the people in employment generation.
Explaining further he said, the federal government is undertaking the construction of a national housing programme in 35 states including FCT, and called for the collaboration of all stakeholders since housing provision is essentially a collaborative effort by all levels of government and the private sector.
On the situation of cities globally, the minister stated that cities account for 75 per cent of the world’s energy consumption and are responsible for over 70 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, with transport, buildings, energy, while waste management forms the bulk of urban carbon emissions.
” The future of our planet depends on national, regional and local governments and organisations, communities, academic institutions and the private sector working together to create sustainable, carbon-neutral, inclusive cities and towns”.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Works and Housing who was represented by the Director Highways Development Engr Ibi Terna, said: “As the world builds and consolidates the foundation of the New Urban Agenda , urgent steps are required to rectify past imperfections by recognising fully that development is an evolutionary assignment that cannot be entirely resolved by one agency acting alone”.
Also, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, whose speech was read by Mr. M. Okunola said: ” This year’s world habitat day focused on human living condition and we must pledge to share responsibility to one another so that no one would be left behind”.
In her remarks, the Executive Director, the United Nations Human Settlement Programme, Maimunah Mohammed Sharif, said: “ The UN Habit World City Report estimates that up to 163 million newly poor people now live in cities and urban areas.
She said: “If city managers have the right tools they can plan and take action to reduce the gap between the haves and have not , that way we will be able to create inclusive and resilient human settlements”.
On his part, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGS ) , Dr. Bala.Yusuf-Yunusa, said Nigeria is already committed to improving the lives of its citizens in many ways.
He said: ” The economic sustainability plan (2020 ) following Covid 19 pandemic , the national poverty reduction with growth strategy of 2021 and indeed the new national development plan 2021 -2025 have all been inspired by the SDGs and the cardinal objectives of this administration notably the economy, security , fight against corruption and lifting Nigerians out of poverty, so Nigeria is committed to improving the lives of the citizens “
In his goodwill message, the Managing Director of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN ) Madu Hamman ,said: “ We have to reflect on the sustaining challenges surrounding the human settlement and our general environment as a people .”
He said FMBN had established partnership with various stakeholders to deliver affordable housing and better environment for Nigerians.
The President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, who was represented by Dr. Upah Benson, said the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN ) should be strengthened to serve people more efficiently and to also increase the capacity of Nigerian builders
