Reps Raises Concerns Over Conversion of Residential Areas to Commercials

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The House of Representatives Committee on Urban Development and Regional Planning, on Thursday raised concerns over the rate of conversion of residential areas to commercial and semi-industrial zones.

Chairman of the Committee. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, who raised the concerns during a budget defence session with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Shuaib Belgore, said beyond the Provision of housing there is need for popper town planning else it would lead to the creation of slums.

He said, “We also have raised concerns relative to the conversions of residential areas to commercial and even semi-industrial areas. They come with their challenges. We anticipate that before approvals be granted for such conversions, impact assessment should be conducted.

“You all are aware of the very obvious example in Abuja, the Threadmore estate. It was designed to solve the challenges of accommodation. And as we speak, you know, it has a yearly problem of flooding.

*So in advancing other estates, we anticipate that the impact of such estates should be comprehensively assessed before they are carried out.

Representative Abiante however noted that the house has commenced the process to repeal and re-enact the act, especially the ones that concerns and relates with the profession of town planning.

“The bill has gone through first reading. We hope to push it beyond that point and have engagement with the Nigerians to advance the course,” he said.

Abiante also expressed displeasure with the pace of work on the Renewed Hope Estate.

For the Permanent Secretary, Dr Shuaib Belgore, while presenting the ministry budget performance, decried shortage of funds as the budget of the Ministry was slashed from N162 billion in 2024 to N83.7 billion in 2025.

“ We do feel that this budget is grossly inadequate”.

Our 2024 budget was halved. If actually we look at it, from 162 to now 83 billion. Of this, of the 83 billion, you can see that the Urban and Regional Development Department is allocated N4.6 billion for different projects as itemized in this bigger document which is before you,” he said.

He appealed for the support of the Committee to get more money to enable the Ministry meet up it’s responsibilities.

END