The President of Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria (MBAN) Richard Olubameru, has said that prolonged housing deficit is responsible for slums spring up in major cities across the country.
Olubameru made this observation at the 15th Abuja International Housing Show (AIHS) recently held at International Conference Centre, Abuja.
According to him, insufficient housing has led to in-equitable access to the necessary resources for adequate housing delivery, adding that events such as Abuja International Housing Show provides opportunities for deliberations with a view to reaching the mindset on re-routing available resources either in the form of manpower, materials or ideas to the areas where they are of critical need.
He said that the Show has given Corporate Organizations and Private Individuals the opportunities to show-case their products, services, innovations and creative ideas towards better access to housing.
He said, “Due to the huge challenge facing the housing sector, especially in developing countries, this form of gathering is crucial to the growth, development and sustainability of all entities on the housing delivery value-chain.’’
The MBAN president noted that the Real Estate/Construction sector all over the World is a catalyst for economic growth.
He opined that as the country is trying to boost its economy, the real estate sector should be explored.
“Our Association commends the efforts of all participants in this edition of the program, more so that the World is just recovering from one of the greatest forms of epidemic in human history i.e. COVID-19 Pandemic and the devastation associated with the receding pandemic is still very fresh in all our minds. Yet we have not allowed this to dampen our spirits, but we are forging ahead and all our cumulative efforts to be a part of this event is noteworthy. We encourage everyone to optimally utilize the opportunities for networking and collaboration that this program presents,’’ said the MBAN President.