From our housing stand (25)
The #EndSARS protest, a mix of street and social media protests gave the Nigerian youth a voice that had hardly been the case previously. After two weeks of protests and with President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech addressing the nation as a result, what now lies ahead for the country?
The president dissolved SARS {Special Anti-Robbery Squad} days after the protest had begun. What started as a protest against the dreaded SARS activities became an opportunity for the youth to vent their anger on the authorities they feel have failed them, they demanded for a change. Having seen that they can force their voices to be heard and command the attention of the government, despite having SARS disbanded, they modified their demands to other areas they feel needed wide range overhauling, hoping for whole sale changes in how the country has been ran in the past and present.
Although, the protest was a way they felt the country should have been properly led by the authorities, however, the demands they made failed to specify on housing which is key for anyone that seeks growth in life.
They gained confidence in how the government conceded to their demands, they wanted an end to some inefficiencies of the government. They were so organized that they were able to establish helplines that respond to emergencies, get legal aid for those in need of it. It was just a perfect way to show that the country can be properly administered if the politicians had acted more concerned and interested in the plights of the youth and improvement of the country than their personal interests.
This is to show how powerful a force the youth can be if they decide to unite and fight against the government. When a government fails to recognize the needs of the youth in the country, this is what happens.
This is a country that despite its huge abundance of resources, statistics show that some percentage of its citizens live in poverty with no adequate or affordable house, with very scarce opportunities to get quality education, and majority of those that are of working age not yet employed. All these added with other major challenges faced by the country, with adequate, affordable housing and electricity yet to be addressed by successive governments, could be part of the reasons that fueled the rise of the protests spanning across states in the country.
Having known that the country’s population constitutes mostly the youth, many of whom are not employed, why can’t the government channel developmental policies towards their growth? The government can build houses for the young ones, get their needs sorted and you will never see them coming out to protest. Many of these youth cannot afford to pay for decent accommodation because most are not employed and most decent houses are quite expensive and reserved for the elites, the politicians whom they have vented their anger on by either looting or destroying some of their properties including houses. Most, even having graduated from the university are still under the shelter of their parents.
If the Nigerian government in the past and present had keyed into addressing corruption that had deprived the young ones both educated and uneducated the opportunity of enjoying the benefits of democracy like providing them with employments, affordable housing that will give them shelter, friendly housing environment that can provide a good platform for them to go about their daily activities, it will avert a future reoccurrence of youth restiveness.
There could be no perfect time for one to own a home but, there are important policies needed to be created and implemented by the government that can enable the young ones have a steady flow of income that will aid them to work through processes of owning a home. Even members of the police force should be provided with houses of their own, a situation that will make them not spend a huge chunk of their income will put them in the right stead to think well and discharge their public duties fairly, honestly and efficiently.
If the government can key into housing policies, it will have a massive effect on other sectors of the economy. It will engage the youth who are into other skills, thereby, improving their lives and in turn, having an improved effect on the society as a whole.
For instance, the 300,000 housing construction long term plan the Buhari led government has earmarked for the future is a good yard stick that will positively affect all skilled youth, whether educated or not, because it will embrace most skilled professionals. An architect will benefit from housing construction made by the government because they do the designs, plumbers stand to be involved because they will handle the plumbing work, same applies to skilled electricians who handle the electrical parts of the construction, it will also benefit the masons who do the bricklaying processes, the list of skilled workers who are to benefit from housing construction goes on and on.
So, if the government keeps investing more in housing development, this is the same way it will have a huge influence in keeping the youth daily engaged to gain steady flow of income.
Also, the housing initiative by President Muhammadu Buhari, under Barr. Babatunde Fashola led Ministry of Works and Housing across the six geo-political zones, should have a thought of involving the youth to own some of the houses on a rent to own basis. The government should provide flexible mortgage house loans, flexible in the sense that most mortgages are difficult to access. Creating job opportunities that can help them meet up with these mortgages should not be ruled out. This in addition to other housing policies for the present and future, should incorporate the youth as they make up a large portion of the country’s population and working force.
What these protests have taught the Nigerian government is that there is massive poverty, hunger and hardship in the land, it is becoming a threat to the government and going by the recent breaking of warehouses where it is alleged that past CA Covid-19 palliatives for the poor ones have been stored, the government should no longer take these protests for granted anymore.
Widespread destruction of lives and public facilities in Lagos and across the nation have resulted to many wounded and rendered homeless, houses have been burnt, including that of the mother to Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and ransacking of the Oba of Lagos palace. The Governor has come out to say that it will take about one trillion naira for the Lagos State government to put back in place the destroyed properties. This is something that would have been avoided.
Therefore, having quelled the protests and promising wider reforms in governmental activities, the government should not only focus on long term plans but, immediate. Now that the president is dedicated to embarking on carrying out reforms as a result of the protests, it should embrace housing as a strategic key to improving the lives of the young ones in the country and to avert future protests.
