House of Reps seek housing policy for FCT residents

Tasks FERMA on Ajaokuta-Okene roads

IN line with its oversight function, the House of Representatives has passed a motion seeking a comprehensive and integrated housing policy for residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Consequently, the House yesterday at its plenary, mandated its Committees on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as Housing and Habitat, to conduct a public hearing by inviting all the relevant stakeholders with a view to fashioning out a comprehensive and integrated housing scheme in the FCT.

Sponsor of the motion on the need for a comprehensive housing policy in the nation’s capital, Friday Itulah, had expressed concern on the high cost of living in the FCT and its environs, a situation he noted, had become unbearable and out of reach of the ordinary Nigerians.

He pointed out that efforts by the Federal Government and some private developers towards the provision of housing for residents in the FCT had not been adequate for the increasing population and workforce in Abuja.

According to him, the lack of adequate accommodation has the tendency to create security challenges and also negated the principles of environmental sustainability and livelihoods necessary for the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“Due to the high cost of rent on accommodation, many civil servants come from far distances to work in the capital city, resulting in the loss of man-hour and productivity with negative consequences on the economy”, he said.

Also, the House has mandated its Committees on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and Works to liaise with the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to undertake urgent repairs on the Ajaokuta-Okene road to allow easy access.

Adopting a motion brought by Sadiq Asema Mohammed on the deplorable condition of the road in Kogi State, the Chamber further tasked the Committee on Works to investigate why no attention was given to the road in the previous years and to take bold steps to reconstruct the road, which was constructed in the mid-70s by the Federal Government.

The lawmaker had in his submission raised the alarm that the deplorable state of the road has affected economic, business and social activities within Kogi State and its neighbouring states, particularly Benue and Eastern Nigeria.

In a related development, the Chamber called on the Federal Ministry of Works to immediately commence the design for the dualisation of the 9th Mile/Nsukka/Obollo Affor/Otukpa/Anyingba/Ajaokuta Highway pursuant to the budgetary allocation in the Appropriation Act 2011.