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From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Senate, yesterday, confirmed Dr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, mandating him to tackle the rising number of abandoned housing projects, strengthen mortgage systems and enforce compliance with urban planning regulations nationwide.
The directive followed an extensive screening session during plenary yesterday, where lawmakers highlighted persistent gaps in the housing sector, including vacant government estates, fragile financing mechanisms and continued distortions of the Abuja Master Plan.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved the motion for the confirmation in accordance with Section 147(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), following a formal request from President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday.
The chamber subsequently dissolved into the Committee of the Whole to deliberate on the nomination.
Throughout the exercise, senators commended Darma’s qualifications but emphasised that expectations would be judged by his ability to deliver measurable improvements in a sector long criticised for underperformance. Opening the debate, Mohammed Tahir Monguno described housing as a basic necessity and urged the nominee to articulate practical steps towards reducing Nigeria’s significant housing shortfall.
He further called attention to the increasing rural-urban migration linked to the absence of affordable housing in smaller communities.
Adams Oshiomhole, in his contribution, decried the continued underuse of pension funds, noting that such resources were intended to enhance workers’ welfare, including access to housing.
“These funds have grown into trillions of Naira, yet contributors remain homeless. What new initiative will you introduce to ensure pension savings are channelled into a sustainable mortgage system for Nigerian workers?” he asked.
Speaking in support of the nominee, Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua described Darma as a seasoned technocrat with a strong record in public service, citing his tenure as Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).
“He is disciplined, result-oriented and a team player. We are confident he will deliver on this assignment,” Yar’Adua said, adding that lawmakers from Katsina State unanimously endorsed the nomination.
On his part, Mohammed Adamu Aliero asked the nominee to outline his role in addressing insecurity, particularly in the North West and North East regions.
In his response, Darma acknowledged the scale of the housing challenge, noting that a large segment of the population lacks access to adequate shelter.
“We are dealing with a serious housing deficit that requires coordinated efforts, strong leadership and innovative financing. My priority will be to make housing accessible and affordable to Nigerians,” he said.
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On pension funds, he assured lawmakers of his readiness to work with relevant stakeholders to better align such resources with housing delivery.
“I will collaborate with stakeholders to ensure that available funds, including pension contributions, are effectively utilised to support housing development,” he stated.
Darma also referenced his experience at PTDF, where he implemented reforms that repositioned the agency, expressing confidence that similar strategies would be applied in the housing ministry.
Beyond the housing sector, he noted that his academic research has examined the relationship between insecurity, poverty and drug abuse and affirmed his readiness to contribute to policy formulation at the Federal Executive Council.
The discussion later shifted to the increasing number of abandoned housing projects across the country. Babangida Hussaini urged the nominee to streamline existing housing programmes and ensure that completed units were put into use.
“These houses are lying idle across the country, many of them deteriorating or being vandalised. The government must take decisive steps to put them to use, even if it means selling them at discounted rates,” he said.
In a similar vein, Garba Musa Maidoki expressed concerns over breaches of the Abuja Master Plan, including the conversion of residential buildings to commercial purposes and encroachment on designated public spaces.
He urged the nominee to restore order and uphold planning standards.
Responding, he assured the Senate of his commitment to working closely with relevant agencies, particularly the Federal Capital Territory Administration, to address urban planning challenges.
He also pledged to identify, rehabilitate and allocate abandoned housing units as part of efforts to ease the housing deficit.
“I will ensure that existing housing assets are properly utilised and that urban development is guided by sustainable planning principles,” he said.
Following the screening, the Senate confirmed the nomination through a voice vote, with overwhelming support from lawmakers.
Announcing the decision, the Senate President congratulated the new minister and reminded him of the expectations that come with the office.
“This confirmation comes with a responsibility to deliver results. Nigerians are looking up to you to address the challenges in the housing sector,” he said.
