Niger Government launches site and service initiative for affordable housing

The Niger government has unveiled a new initiative called “Site and Service” aimed at providing residents with access to affordable housing.

Mr. Maurice Magaji, Commissioner for Land and Survey in Niger, shared details of the initiative in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Monday.

Magaji explained that the initiative allows individuals to build homes at their own pace, promoting private ownership to drive down housing prices through increased competition.

“We are opening up new layouts service with amenities for individual development,” he said, emphasizing the importance of enabling residents to own their homes.

The initiative will initially be launched in Minna, with plans to partner with the Commissioner for Local Government and local government chairmen to replicate the model across the state.

“This will involve the provision of government-backed land titles (Right of Ownership) to reduce costs through efficient land allocation,” he added.

The commissioner also noted that Governor Umaru Bago has instructed the ministry to investigate why housing estates in Bida, Kontagora, and Zuma Rock in Suleja remain unoccupied and unfinished.

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Magaji stated that the Bago administration prioritizes housing development to address gaps since the last major construction of estates in the state, including MI Wushishi, Bosso, and Talba.

Additionally, the ministry plans to explore partnerships with international organizations to secure cost-effective building materials.

Magaji revealed that officials from the ministry will soon visit South Africa for a peer review on hydraform technology, which aims to reduce construction costs by 30 percent.

“This effort is focused on implementing affordable housing service solutions using cost-effective materials and increasing homeownership through site and services,” he said.

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According to Magaji, the governor’s directive aims to tackle the state’s housing deficit while promoting affordability and accessibility for residents.