The Federal Government says it is working on integrating housing census to the upcoming census.
This, it says, is in order to establish an accurate housing deficit in the country.
Head, Habitat Technical Unit, United Nation-Habitat Desk, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Roland Uwakwe said this in Abuja at the investiture of Dr. Raymond Eboh as Habitat Youth Humanitarian Ambassador; and the Peer Review session on the first United Nations Nigeria Youth Housing Summit.
According to the Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Youth Congress, Emmanuel Daudu: “I want to inform you that the ministry is working with the National Population Commission so that during the upcoming census, the housing census will be integrated into the programme because we want to know the actual housing stock we have.
“For many occasions you see people quoting housing deficits, some would say 20 million, some would say 17 million, but there is no data to back it up. So, I will also like the youth habitat programme to key into the Housing Census programme, so that we can ascertain the actual housing deficits.
“I also want to assure you that we will give all the necessary support, both technical and financial support. I hope as we prepare for the programme, the outcome will be useful to the entire country, especially the youths because they are the most affected by these housing programmes.”
On his part, Raymond Edoh urged the youths to change their mentality of dependence on government and political patronage to self-reliance.
He said, “Factually speaking, due to numerous challenges and harsh socio-economic environment, many Nigerian youths are now depending on themselves and driving their own future by creating opportunities and by undertaking different entrepreneurial ventures towards self-reliance.
Speaking on his recent decoration, Dr. Eboh pledged that his office would seek to convey the sordid plights of the Nigerian youths to all concerned quarters at international level, adding that doing so would help Nigerian youths become better humanitarians.