National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) has asked the Federal Government to provide them affordable houses across the federation.
Chairman NANTS, FCT chapter, Prince Edozie Ugwu, who made the call in a chat with Viewpoint Housing News in Abuja noted that the Federal Government’s Social Investment Programmes and housing policy do not cover traders who are key contributors in the economy.
Agwu said the government focuses on building houses for civil servants alone while neglecting other citizens like traders and other people in the private sector.
He noted that there is need for the government to also focus on important components of large-scale housing development like land, finance, infrastructure, building materials and labour that would ensure that all citizens are incorporated into its housing policy.
According to him, “ Nigerian politicians must be prepared to provide affordable housing for all citizens irrespective of their occupation.
“Sometimes I wonder if Nigeria has the political will, knowledge, skills and commitment to change the current housing quagmire.”
He stressed that effective housing delivery system could be the catalyst to boost Nigeria’s image abroad.
Awgu components of large-scale housing development like land, finance, infrastructure, building materials and labour.
Speaking on the federal government’s tradermoni scheme, he said, “The trademoni scheme is good but the government needs to go beyond providing intervention scheme to traders to providing affordable housing especially subsidizing shops for traders in the country.
“Government needs to work with market leaders because they own the market and the traders are members of the association.
“Market leaders especially the chairperson of each market should be carried along since this is a scheme that is aimed at ensuring that business strives in the country.
“They need to partner with the market leaders in providing affordable housing for all,” Agwu added.
He maintained that market leaders can identify who are their members or traders and that is the only way any policy can work.
