Kaduna agency launches initiative to bridge housing deficit

The Kaduna State Development and Property Company (KSDPC) has announced the launch of two social initiatives; the Arewa Construction Academy and the KSDPC Housing Cooperative Society, demonstrating the state’s commitment to social investment, skill development, and addressing the housing needs of low and middle-income families.

The Managing Director, KSDPC, Architect Abubakar Rabiu Abubakarat disclosed this at the opening of the maiden Kaduna International Housing Exhibition, held at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall, Kaduna on Monday.

He also said that, KSDPC was set to embark on certain key housing and housing infrastructure projects, including the Ultramodern Mechanics Village for the Eastern Sector of Kaduna metropolis, featuring an Electric Vehicle (EV) Assembly Plant, CNG Conversion Stations, EV Charger Manufacturing, and strategically located EV charging points, A 5-star Hospital with Doctor Quarters.

According to him, “We are also planning a private university to be known as ABSAAR University, a Building Materials Village to service the Eastern Sector of Kaduna metropolis, a trucks and heavy-duty mechanics village, which are expected to attract and facilitate the construction and delivery of at least 2000 mixed-type housing units across Kaduna metropolis within the next 5 years.

“This exhibition is a testament to our efforts to transform aspirations into tangible results, ensuring that Kaduna State remains a beacon of progress and opportunity for all its residents,” KSDPC boss disclosed.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa while delivering his keynote address at the exhibition identified lack of access to affordable housing finance as one of the major causes of housing deficit in Nigeria, saying that 80 percent of the citizens cannot even afford a mortgage as a measure to get a home.

He said the major issue governments at all levels have to address in their desire to deliver sustainability to the citizens, is the issue of affordability.

The Minister added that, statistics have shown that almost half of Nigeria’s population of over 201 million are poor and have weak purchasing power. “In fact of the 43 million households, over 85% have less than N1.1 Million Purchasing Power. Of this 40% (about 17.2million households fall into the poverty income group and 47% (about 20.2million) fall into the low-income group.

“On the whole, statistics reveal that Nigeria is a low-income country as it has only 13% of its population as middle class. The recent macro-economic challenges including inflation have made things worse,” he said.

He however said that, it is against that background that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led government through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is planning to establish a National Social Housing Fund (NSHF).

He however commended the Governor Uba Sani-led government of Kaduna State for its practical, inclusive and pragmatic vision for housing delivery, part of which led to the organization of the maiden Kaduna International Housing Exhibition.

Earlier in his address, Governor Uba Sani who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe said provision of affordable houses for Kaduna State citizens was a key priority of his administration and committed to addressing the housing deficit across the State in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said that Kaduna state government had adopted a holistic approach towards filling the identified gap through partnership with local and international investors to frontally address its housing deficit.

According to him, “Qatar Charity, in partnership with the Kaduna State Government, is constructing Mass Housing for the Less Privileged and Kaduna Economic City, all in Millennium City, Kaduna. I recently performed the groundbreaking for the construction of the 3319 Hectares Nuru Suraj Ungwar Dosa New Extension Layout. This project is being executed through a Public – Private Partnership. Nuru Suraj and Kaduna State Government are working together to develop 35,000 plots for our people.”

“The Social Housing Scheme was introduced in order to provide affordable accommodation as a social service for the vulnerable populace (the low income earners). Efficient design and construction methods, which are key indicators that drive the affordability target of the scheme, were employed,” he said.

The governor also stated that his administration has attracted many investors (Real Estate Developers) and has partnered with them in the construction of mass housing estates across Kaduna metropolis under PPP arrangement.

Speaker, House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, represented by the Chairman, Committee on Housing, Abdulmumini Jibril recognised that adequate housing is not just a matter of shelter but a fundamental human right.

He said, “The theme of this exhibition, ‘Kaduna Sustainable Housing Development: A Model for Northern Housing’ resonates deeply with the challenges we face today particularly in Northern Nigeria. Available data shows that Nigeria has a housing deficit of 17 million housing units in urban centres and Northern Nigeria has the largest share of this deficit.”

He however noted that there is the need to find innovative and sustainable means of closing the huge gap in the provision of shelter to our people adding, “The provision of adequate housing is not just a basic human need but a fundamental right that underpins sustainable development and social cohesion. Sustainable housing development is not just about constructing buildings; it encompasses creating communities that are environmentally friendly, socially inclusive, and economically viable.”

The exhibition is being attended by developers, producers and marketers of building materials and other stakeholders in the housing industry.

A competition between the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Kaduna State University (KASU), Nuhu Bamali and Kaduna Polytechnics is ongoing and the results are expected to be announced in Tuesday’s session of the exhibition.