By Jummai Yakubu
The House of Representatives has expressed concern over the conversion of residential areas to commercial and semi-ndustrial areas.
Chairman House Committee on Urban Development and Regional Planning, Dr. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, raised the concern when the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Shuaib Belgore appeared before the Committee to defend the 2024 budget performance and 2025 proposal of the Ministry on Thursday.
Dr. Abiante said beyond the Provision of housing there is need for proper town planning else it would lead to the creation of slums.
He said the National Assembly has commenced the process to repeal and re-enact the act that concerns and relates with the profession of town planning.
The Committee also expressed displeasure with the pace of work on the Renewed Hope Estate.
Also the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Shuaib Belgore, explained that Ministry was discussing the necessity of establishing a national housing regulatory authority which is supposed to ensure regulation of buildings and standardization.
Dr. Belgore pointed out that the Ministry wants to upgrade its slum upgrading and urban renewal programs across the 36 states.
While appealing for the support of the Committee to get more money to enable the Ministry meet up its responsibilities, noted that the budget of the Ministry was slashed from N162 billion in 2024 to N83.7 billion in 2025.
