In order to reduce the ever widening gap between housing demand and supply, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, has restated its readiness to set up a team of experts to review social housing policy for low income earners who cannot afford what the market has to offer at the moment.

This was made known by the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms Ama Pepple, when addressing the leadership of Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) in Abuja recently. Pepple also lamented the dearth of artisans and other professionals required for the construction of houses in the country.

She, however, disclo-sed that the Federal Government had dis-closed plans to embark on the construction of housing units through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).

The minister further noted that the housing sector could play a major role in enhancing the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generate both primary and secondary employ-ment for unemployed Nigerians.

Meanwhile, in a rela-ted development, Ms Pepple, during an in-spection of about 3,000 housing units construc-ted at the MINFA Estates in Lokogoma, and funded by the FMBN, stressed the need for provision of low income houses across the country.

“We shall continue to build for those Nigerians who can afford exorbitant costs and we are also going to make special efforts to ensure that we build for Nigerians who cannot afford the high prices,” the minister asserted.

In order to achieve this objective, the minister disclosed that FMBN had acquired land on which housing for low income persons would be built under the super-vision of her ministry.

She gave the assu-rance that the houses would be affordable as they would be construc-ted with alternative building materials which, she insisted, were chea-per and more durable.

“From what I have seen, I believe we need to take another look at this 16 million housing units deficit figure we have been quoting. I have the impression from what I have seen that this deficit may have been reduced,” said Ms Pepple.

The minister however, frowned at the use of substandard materials by some builders, as well as some defective construction methods used by developers, warning that Nigerians deserved decent buildings which would not collapse.

Pepple reiterated her passion for social housing and the need for the use of alternative building materials which would not only reduce the cost of houses but also generate sufficient employment opportunities.