Housing professionals have referred to as for complete attribute tax reforms in Abuja to handle housing affordability and loose the superiority of unfilled constructions around the town.
Talking on the Reasonably priced Housing Corridor of Reputation match in Abuja just lately, Government Director of the Housing Building Suggest, Mr. Festus Adebayo, emphasized the urgency of attribute tax implementation over ruination as a approach to Abuja’s housing demanding situations.
“We need to focus on property tax reforms rather than demolition. All the empty houses in Maitama and Asokoro should be taxed. By the time the owners are paying heavy bills yearly, those properties will come back into circulation and address the housing deficit,” he mentioned.
The decision for reforms comes amid ongoing demolitions within the Federal Capital Space ordered through the minister Nyesom Wike.
Time Adebayo said the minister’s prison authority beneath the City and Regional Making plans Legislation, he instructed restraint and bigger emphasis on discussion.
“The minister has the constitutional power to carry out demolitions. But we have seen cases, like in Lugbe, where demolition continued despite evidence of reallocation documents. This undermines public trust,” he mentioned.
He additional criticised the ruination of houses with longstanding occupancy, such because the Ogbebo attribute, the place citizens have lived for over 40 years.
“Instead of demolishing, let’s discuss and allow the family to pay their bills. Such actions lead to economic waste in a tough economy,” Adebayo mentioned.
Adebayo additionally highlighted the problem of unfilled constructions in Abuja, linking them to corruption and cash laundering.
“We recently learnt about an individual with 753 units of unoccupied houses in Lokogoma. This is money laundering, plain and simple. The government must either confiscate or heavily tax such properties,” he added.
He referred to as at the FCT Minister to prioritise attribute tax reforms, making sure that alone or underutilised houses give a contribution to the town’s financial and housing construction.
Adebayo mentioned the government’s constraints in turning in reasonably priced houses, mentioning the emerging price of creating fabrics.
“Cement now costs N9,500, pushing up construction costs. Under such circumstances, the government must create incentives for developers. Exempting builders of low-cost housing from certain taxes could motivate private sector participation,” he mentioned.
He additionally praised week efforts, akin to sovereign land allocations right through the tenure of former FCT Minister Nasir El-Rufai, which resulted in important construction in farmlands like Lokogoma and Sunnyvale.
All the way through a contemporary stakeholder engagement, the Minister of Housing and City Building, Ahmed Dangiwa, reaffirmed the federal government’s loyalty to implementing compliance with land management rules era optimising federal property.
“Our aim is to fast-track the completion of housing projects to increase affordable housing stock. We are also addressing irregular developments and ensuring proper land administration,” Dangiwa mentioned.
He introduced plans to renovate federal housing amenities and cope with problems akin to double farmland rents and flood in executive estates.
“Collaboration with state governments is crucial to resolving land disputes and ensuring sustainable urban development,” he added.
Adebayo instructed the government to prioritise housing for low-income staff.
“There is no better time to help Nigerian workers than now. When people are focused on survival, housing becomes a secondary concern. Addressing this will reduce insecurity and improve overall quality of life,” he mentioned.