Lagos seeks World Bank assistance in bridging housing deficit

The Lagos State Government has sought increased partnership with the World Bank for the development of mass housing schemes across the state.

Commissioner for Housing in Lagos, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai gave the appeal when World Bank team led by Dr. Fuad Malkawi paid a working visit to ministry.

The commissioner called for partnership with the Bank to ensure that the vision of housing for all, is achieved in Lagos State.

Akinderu-Fatai said, “Uninhibited migration to Lagos from other States of the Federation and some countries in the West Africa region has made the challenge of housing very critical. Given the littoral nature of the State, enormous support is required in the area of housing development.’’

He pointed out that Lagos State needs to build thousands of more houses to accommodate the increased influx, soliciting assistance in the area of innovative technology that could make housing development faster and safer across the State.

He said, “The required intervention in housing development now is a new technology that can make for a speedy delivery without any compromise on quality and safety.’’

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The commissioner, who emphasized the need for vertical development of homes in a manner that the scarce land available in the State can be optimised for maximum housing yield, averred that collaborative efforts should also address the challenges posed by climate change and technology and the likely impact on designing new homes for the future.

Akinderu-Fatai also urged the World Bank to support sourcing cheap funds, not necessarily foreign exchange, that could help increase the number of homes built and make them easily accessible through convenient mortgages for end users, particularly low-income earners.

Speaking at the occasion, the Senior Urban Development Specialist and the Special Planning Community of Practice Leader at the World Bank, Dr. Fuad Malkawi, expressed the willingness of the Bank to partner with the State in developing and implementing strategies for urban renewal in Nigeria.

He pointed out that issues related to housing cannot be treated in isolation without reference to an efficient transportation system, waste disposal, and energy supply, stressing that the main focus of the World Bank is to help in setting priorities and ensuring that developmental projects achieve the desired impact on people’s lives.