The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has established a National Housing Data Bank meant to provide information on house types, house characteristics, occupation ratio and the type of materials used in building.

Immediate former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Nduese Essien, disclosed this while handing-over the affairs of the ministry recently in Abuja. He said that the ministry has prepared strategic regional development plans for the six geo-political zones of the country, as a prelude to the preparation of the National Physical Development Plan (NPDP).

He added that the move is aimed at integrating physical development with economic development thus providing spatial guide for investment and attainment of balanced socio-economic advancement of the nation.

“The ministry has found out that the bulk of skilled artisans engaged in the nation’s built sector are from neighbouring countries. To address the problem, it embarked on the construction of the School of Architecture Technicians in Kuje, Abuja. The construction of hostel block ‘A’ has been completed. Hostel block ‘B’ is being re-awarded under the 2011 budget.

Construction of the fence, gatehouse and generator house are at practical completion stages. Besides, the ministry has trained a total of 120 artisans and craftsmen including 20 carpenters, 20 bricklayers, 20 plumbers, 20 welders, 16 painters, 16 tailors and 8 electricians. It has further constructed workshops and equipped the Craft Training School in Harvey Road, Lagos and another at Ikeduru in Imo State,” Nduese said.

The former minister stated that a total of N810 million to settle all outstanding claims and compensation on Federal Government acquired lands nationwide.