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The federal government has vowed to close the gap of over 15 million housing units, saying that the deficit is a major national responsibility.
Speaking when he received the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Babatunde Adeniran Adejumo, who paid him a courtesy visit, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engineer Muttagha Darma, disclosed that the government was working tirelessly to address the shortfall.
According to him, although the scale of the housing challenge is enormous, it is achievable through sustained commitment, effective partnerships, strategic planning and collective efforts by government institutions and other relevant stakeholders.
Darma stated that, no matter how large the task ahead may be, it is possible to bridge the gap.
He assured the NJI that the judiciary would be part of the ministry’s ongoing housing projects across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), stressing that judicial officers and court personnel would not be left out of the Federal Government’s housing interventions.
The minister further explained that the ministry’s housing initiatives are being implemented with a broad national outlook, covering different locations and levels of government, including the states and local government areas.
He noted that the ministry recognises the importance of providing decent and affordable accommodation for Nigerians and would continue to explore partnerships and institutional collaborations capable of supporting the achievement of the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda.
The minister commended the leadership of the NJI for demonstrating concern for the welfare of its personnel and for seeking opportunities that could improve their living conditions.
He particularly appreciated the institute’s interest in ensuring that its staff are carried along in the broader national development agenda, describing the initiative as a demonstration of responsible institutional leadership.
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He also stressed that addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit requires a collective and co-ordinated approach, adding that no single institution can resolve the challenge in isolation.
Earlier, the Administrator of the institute, Honourable Justice Babatunde Adeniran Adejumo, commended the ministry for its efforts towards addressing the nation’s housing deficit.
He expressed the readiness of the NJI to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in advancing the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda, particularly in the areas of human capacity development, training and institutional support.
He explained that the NJI has conference facilities and other resources that could be utilised for relevant training programmes.
Accordingly, Adejumo stated that the proposed collaboration with the ministry is expected to strengthen institutional co-operation between the two organisations while providing opportunities for capacity building, knowledge sharing and professional development in support of the housing programmes.
“The NJI is saddled with the responsibility of providing training, capacity building and continuing education for judicial officers and court personnel,” he stated.
In a statement, the Director of Press and Public Relations, Badamasi Haiba, pointed out that any collaboration would be undertaken legitimately and in accordance with the law, without compromising the independence, integrity or constitutional responsibilities of the judiciary. He also emphasised that the partnership would be structured within the respective mandates of both institutions.
“The institute is willing to collaborate with the ministry in whatever legitimate and lawful manner that could contribute to the success of its programmes,” Adejumo added.
