There appears to be hope for Nigeria in addressing its housing deficit, as the United Nations has revealed plans to erect affordable homes for Nigerians.
The Global Chairman, United Nations Rescue Services, Ambassador Steve Maichalla, disclosed this at a media Parley in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, it is estimated that Nigeria has a deficit of over 17 million houses as of December, 2020 and requires 700,000 houses annually, compared to less than 100,000 currently being constructed annually.
At the media parley, the UN official, Maichalla revealed that ten thousand housing units will be built in each state of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
He added that the housing program which would cut across the six Geo-political zones, will not be funded by any state or federal government.
“It is starting this year and will be a revolving package. This is the first phase and any of the states that does not get allocation in the first phase, should expect allocation in the subsequent phases,” he said.
Maichalla said the program which is meant for the downtrodden, will be fully foreign-funded.
While lamenting that high level of poverty has forced about fifteen million children out of school, Ambassador Steve Maichallia said apart from the housing scheme, the United Nations will explore other areas like agriculture for the benefit of Nigerians.
The scheme is a UN action program, aimed at eradicating poverty and hunger.
