Enugu housing commission boss advocates waivers on building materials import duties 

Enugu housing commission boss advocates waivers on building materials import duties

 

The Managing Director, Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC), Mr Chukwuemelie Agu has called for waivers on duties imposed on building materials in order to ensure affordable housing for Nigerians.

Agu also appealed to the government to come up with deliberate policies that would encourage indigenous manufacturers of building materials.

The managing director made the call on Wednesday in Enugu in an interview with Wawa News Global and other media outfits on efforts to reduce the housing deficit in the state.

He said that real estate developers react according to the market situation, adding that the prevailing market condition had made the overall cost of houses in the country high.

He said that as a major player in real estate development, the ESHDC react to the market just as other real estate operators.

“The prevailing market situation has led to significant increase in the cost of houses because we react to the market the way other real estate operators do.

“We, therefore, appeal to the Federal Government to give waivers on duties imposed on building materials,” he said.

Agu said that the corporation was currently developing over 500 housing units for low income earners in the state in collaboration with government and private mortgage institutions.

He said that about 1000 off-takers were already involved in the scheme, adding that the houses were built based on specifications and capabilities of the beneficiaries to pay.

“The plan is for the mortgage banks to fund the projects and in turn allow beneficiaries of the houses a 20-year window to pay back.

“We are in touch with several cooperative societies in state and Federal Government institutions to identify with this scheme,” he said.

Agu said that the corporation was making a deliberate effort to decongest the state capital by extending its network to the outskirts of the state.

The managing director said that the corporation had earlier developed about 8 housing estates for high and medium income earners, adding, “we are not done yet.

“Our target is to reduce the housing deficit in the state by balancing the high and low ends.

“We have been able to do a lot within this period which earned me a Nigerian Housing Awards during the last edition of the Nigerian Housing Show.

“The organisation came to Enugu and saw what we have done in the housing sector and from their assessment they declared us the best,” he said.

Agu said that the corporation was motivated by the influx of people in the state occasioned by the prevailing peace and security which had in turn led to increase in the housing deficit in the state.

He, however, said that it was sad that the estates were developed at high cost due to exorbitant costs of building materials.

Agu commended the state governor whom he said had given them the enablement to discharge their duties.

Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.

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