Our Stand (80) —
There is no perfect time to own a home but, there are key policies needed to be implemented by the government to fasten the processes for the masses to have steady means of income that can fasten the processes to owning their homes.
Providing housing and infrastructural facilities like good roads network for the masses are situations that will make them not spend a large chunk of their income on accommodation and will improve their state of mind to think well and discharge their public duties efficiently.
Creating and implementing more friendly housing policies will have positive effects on other sectors of the economy. It will engage other professions like electricians, iron benders, plumbers, painters, masons, food vendors, carpenters and others. It will engage many who are into other skills, thereby, developing their lives and having an improving effect on the society as a whole.
Using the previous construction of the 300,000 housing units under the Economic Sustainability Plan by the federal government, as widely reported, earmarked for the future, is a good yard stick that will positively affect all skilled persons including professionals. An architect will benefit from the construction because, he does the designs, plumbers stand to be involved because, they will handle fixing of pipes for water runway. Same applies to skilled electricians who handle the wiring of the buildings. 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.
Providing solutions to housing affordability problems, understandably, everyone across the entire housing industry should be involved. The private sector, public establishments, even traditional bodies have their key roles to play to create more channels for people to meet their dreams of becoming home owners.
Where policies concerning land, environment, housing are created, land regulatory bodies must ensure that land policies should be masses friendly and most significantly, emphasis should be focused on how lands are being allocated and the land use acts. Today, they are very dynamic and complex for the people.
The government should think deep concerning this and find solutions to keep the masses housed, it should be a priority.
If the government keeps investing more in housing development, it’s an alternative way to have an influence in keeping many skilled workers engaged daily where they will be able to gain steady flow of income. Therefore, the government should embrace housing as a strategic key to improving the society.
