Abuja — Federal government yesterday signed partnership agreements with ten private sector real estate developers and investors to increase the national housing stock by 1,694 units in Osun, Adamawa, Ondo and Niger states including the FCT involving 16 projects in all.

While signing the agreement, the minister of Works, Housing and Urban Development Dr. Muhammed Lawal disclosed that 80 partnership agreements, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)and Development Lease Agreement (DLA) have so far been signed since the introduction of Public Private Partnership(PPP) programme in the ministry.

He further stated that the agreement signing is a demonstration of the Federal government 's commitment to the Public Private Partnership arrangement for the provision of affordable housing in Nigeria, through establishing a purposeful collaboration between the public and private sectors towards providing housing for Nigerians.

"This administration is particularly concerned about the ever increasing gap between the demand and supply of housing and the rising cost of building materials which has placed an added burden on Nigerians as they strive to be home owners," the minister said.

Lawal assured the real estate developers and investors present at the event of government's commitment to the PPP programme, adding that the collaboration and partnership will yield the desired outcome of improved access to affordable and decent housing conditions for Nigerians. "As part of our commitment to the provision of affordable housing to the people, government will continue to make land available for housing development, while encouraging the states and local governments to ensure and guarantee easy access to land for the development of housing units."

He urged all the beneficiaries of the partnerships to demonstrate real professionalism and high standards in the delivery of affordable houses to the Nigerian populace, saying by so doing the development agenda of this administration in the area of facilitating improved living conditions will be achieved.

"The government has taken steps in the area of reforms by creating an enabling environment for operators in the housing sector and also improving their performance.

It was through the initiative of this ministry that the Partnership and Business Development Committee (PBDC), Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) and Building Materials Producers Associations of Nigeria (BUMPAN) were established," he said.

Speaking on behalf of the developers and investors that benefited from the programme, Air Vice Marshal Okanlawo of the Nigerian Air force Foundation Limited, pledged that they will perform up to expectation by building structures according to specifications and ensure the use of good building materials.