The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, says that affordable housing construction requires more than 90 per cent inputs of the products from the sector to boost economic growth.
Dr Abdulkadir Mu’azu, Permanent Secretary of the ministry said this at the 4th Abuja Investment Expo organised by Shelter Aid Organisation, an NGO and the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) in Abuja on Tuesday.
Mu’azu, represented by Mr Karnap Wuyep, the Director, Investment Promotion and Mineral Trade in the ministry said that the event was apt in achieving diversification agenda of the government.
He listed the construction products from the mining sector as limestone for production of cement and blocks, kaolin, marble, dolomite, barites and gypsum used in the production of paints and ceramic tiles.
Mu’azu said these also included granites for all sizes of stone aggregate, riverside for choking of block and casting beams, laterite for foundation fillings, compaction and other infrastructure facilities.
He said it also included clays for production of red bricks, iron ore/scrap metals for production of iron and steel beams for casting and other various security and decorative use among others.
According to him, the minerals and metal sector are essential in delivering affordable housing to boost economic growth as well as contribute immensely to transforming Nigeria to a more robust diversified economy.
H e also commended the organisers for keying into the vision of government in driving economic growth through alternative sources other than oil.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Administration (FCTA), Chinyeaka Ohaa said that the FCT administration was mindful of residents’ housing challenges.
Ohaa said the FCTA was willing to partner with genuine private sector organisations to provide solutions to the housing needs of residents.
He said that the FCT accounted for 10 per cent of the national housing deficit, adding that the administration was putting policies in place to checkmate the anomaly.
“We have put policies in place to ensure that all beneficiaries of mass housing allocations formalise their ownership through the issue of bankable documents.
“We are fast-tracking the processing of land documents after revitalising the necessary institutional frameworks for land service delivery.
“This includes the resuscitation of the Land Use and Allocation Committee (LUAC) which had been moribund over the years and the setting up of a working Land Registry.
He urged investors and participants to utilise the opportunity given by the expo to harness the huge potential that abound the country.
The expo which featured some private housing developers, investors and locally made construction materials has as its theme “Achieving Sustainable Economic Growth through Affordable Housing Delivery.’’
