From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has assured realtors that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would assent to the Real Estate (Regulations and Development) Bill in no distant time.
Akume stated this at the Annual General Meeting of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), held recently in Abuja.
The theme of the meeting was titled: ‘Improving Access to Affordable Housing for Wealth Creation and National Development.’
Speaking at the event, former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Professor Bernard Babatunde, who represented Akume said: “Barely two weeks in office, the president has proven to deliver on his electoral promises. And in real estate sector, he is also ready to collaborate in providing affordable housing to Nigerians.
“I am particularly glad that the REDAN Bill has been passed by the two Chambers. I will personally look for it and pass it to the SGF in ensuring the President assent to it soon.”
Meanwhile, REDAN President and Chairman of Council, Aliyu Wamakko, said the organisation would continue to help the government bridge the gap of affordable housing deficit.
Wamakko said the real estate sector is labour intensive with benefits in terms of employment and the multiplier effect to many sectors of the economy that can turn the economy around.
He said REDAN remained poised to improve access to affordable housing for wealth creation and national development.
“In doing so, we wish to place on record for all members to know that REDAN’s leadership has zero-tolerance for shady deals and will continue to work with government on the path of sanity and national development.
“This AGM is called to give account of the stewardship of the 6th Council to our members in accordance with the constitution of the association.
“While the AGM proper which comes up in the next session will expatiate on achievements to congress, this segment of the event is to provide us with the opportunity to inform the government, investors, and the general public of the importance of housing to socio-economic advancement of the nation,” he said.
He pointed out that the Real Estate (Regulations and Development) Bill’ is intended to sanitise the sector
“REDAN’s initiative to sanitize Nigeria’s Real Estate Sector, for which we proposed a Bill tagged ‘The Real Estate (Regulations and Development) Bill’ has been approved by both chambers of the 9th National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives).
“The 9th National Assembly passed the Bill for an Act to Establish the Real Estate Regulatory Council of Nigeria (RECON). The Bill when assented to by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall incentivize investment into the sector,” Wamakko said.