Hon. Abanika Taiye, the Kogi State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, in a press statement on Friday, expressed distress over the alarming issue of illegal occupation of properties under the National Housing Programme (NHP) in the state.
The NHP, a national initiative, is aimed at providing accessible, sustainable and affordable housing solutions for all Kogites
The commissioner noted that recent assessments revealed that approximately 85% of the housing units in Phases 1, 2, and 3 of the NHP have been forcefully occupied by unauthorised individuals.
Taiye said, “This not only disrupts the programme’s intended purpose but also compromises the dreams and aspirations of rightful beneficiaries.”
To address this issue, the commissioner stated that the ministry had taken steps to rectify the situation, including collecting and processing houses deposited back to the office to identify and fine-tune them for rightful ownership.
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He stated that the state government was preparing to hand over keys to legitimate subscribers who have followed due process and fulfilled programme requirements.
However, he reiterated the ministry’s commitment to the need for urgent action to address the illegal invasion of these properties.
“Robust law enforcement interventions are necessary to safeguard these houses, restore order, and ensure legitimate occupants can reclaim their rightful homes.
“The ministry remains committed to housing equity and empowerment of all citizens through the NHP.
“The state government will prioritise this issue, collaborating with its people to implement effective solutions that protect the program’s integrity and beneficiaries.
“Together, we can ensure the vision of accessible, sustainable, and affordable housing is fulfilled for all citizens of Kogi State,” he added.
