The Federal Government has called on the private sector to help attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the housing sector of the country.

President Goodluck Jonathan made the call when he declared open the 2011 edition of Archibuilt, an exhibition by the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), with the theme: “Cities, Urbanisation and Development”.

Represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, he said “we call on the private sector to also attract FDIs in the housing and construction sectors, while on our part, we shall provide the necessary support and incentives that will sustain such worthy investments.”

He also expressed optimism that the building and construction industry would receive a boost by the participation of development partners such as the African Development Bank, the Islamic Development bank, the World Bank, as well as Japanese and Chinese interest.

He described Archibuilt as an avenue for stakeholders in the industry to deliberate on the “pressing challenges the country is facing in containing the rapid urbanisation of our cities and its attendant environmental challenges.”