Nigerian Cardinal Criticizes Govt Over 17 million Housing Deficit

Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese John Cardinal Onaiyekan yesterday berated the Federal Government over its failure to bridge the nation’s 17 million housing deficit. He also flayed the government for its failure to evolve realisable housing policies which could take care of the lower echelon of the society.

Onaiyekan spoke in Abuja during the commissioning of the 500 units ultra modern business and office mall estimated at N1billion.
The complex, built by Platinum Mortgage Bank Limited, is expected to take care of the fast fading middle class in the country. Onaiyekan said: “We are worried at the inequality as far as housing is concerned in our country.
Those who are rich are living in beautiful mansions, while those who have no money are living like rat and cockroaches. There must be a bridge across this huge gap.
“I hope that people like Engineer Mbaka, the Managing Director, Platinum Mortgage Bank, can help government design policies that will ensure decent housing for the people who are not super rich.” In his address, Mbaka said the complex was built to cater for the interest of middle class.
He said: “Our objective, as a Mortgage Bank, is to ensure a vibrant middle class in Nigeria.
This complex yet provides another unique opportunity to sustain this class, which is rapidly going into extinction. We give you the opportunity to retire from government office to your own personal office.”
Mbaka added that the bank had set a target to build 10,000 housing units within the next five years across the country as part of its contributions to the government’s efforts at bridging housing deficit gap.
On efforts to ensure the realisation of the target, Mbaka said: “We have already started 5,000 in Abia State. We were there two weeks ago where the state governor flagged off the construction the housing estate.
“Construction is ongoing now. We also have project in Badagry, Lagos State.” He added that the bank would continue to pursue its dream to ensure better housing for the people, especially the low income earners.