By CHIDI NKWOPARA

OWERRI — Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria, AHCN, has appealed to the Federal Government to overhaul the Land Use Act of 1978 to make land available for housing.

AHCN President and Chairman of Council, Dr. Ifenna E. Chukwujekwu, made the appeal while flagging off the body’s 90th Council meeting in Owerri.

He said: “To all intents and purposes, every barrier towards a sustainable housing delivery and home ownership process must be confronted headlong to concretize the nation’s dream of providing affordable housing for is citizens.”

He expressed concern that though the pension fund was worth over N3 trillion, it was only restricted for investment into equities, government bonds and bank deposits.

“There is sadly, no provision for housing investment. Certainly, workers need to retire to their own houses after a successful working career and service to the nation.”

While noting  that there were housing problems in Nigeria, Chukwujekwu also opined that various housing policies evolved to address the problems in the past failed to address the myriads of problems facing the sector.

“The housing need of the people is still very enormous and requires strategic approach. The low income group are the most hit by this dire need of mankind,” he added.