As part of efforts to collaborate towards affordable housing delivery in their country, Nigeria’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has met with his counterpart, Alice Wahome, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, and Housing of Kenya to share experiences on housing delivery.
A press statement signed by Mark Chieshe, Assistant Media and Strategy to the minister of housing states that the ministers met yesterday, on the sidelines of the first session of the 2024 UN Habitat Executive Board Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya.
Addressing recent challenges faced by Kenya, Arc. Dangiwa conveyed the condolences of the government and people of Nigeria to the government and people of Kenya over the recent flooding experienced in the country.
He affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to cooperating with Kenya in addressing environmental and climatic shocks affecting human settlements.
The Minister acknowledged Kenya’s contributions in matters of Human Settlements regarding Africa and commended the country for its continued efforts in championing topics of relevance for Africa.
Arc. Dangiwa highlighted the longstanding collaboration between Kenya and Nigeria in advancing the objectives of UN-Habitat, particularly in the drafting and negotiating of key resolutions benefiting the continent. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing Africa’s housing challenges, citing the significant roles played by both countries in the transformation of Shelter Afrique into the Shelter Afrique Development Bank.
“Madam Cabinet Secretary, Nigeria appreciates Kenya’s continued leadership in matters of Human Settlements on behalf of the continent, not only as host of the UN-Habitat Secretariat but also in championing topics of relevance for the continent”.
“May I also express sincere appreciation for Kenya’s disposition to the Africa Group’s endorsement of Nigeria’s candidacy for the Chairmanship of the UN-Habitat Executive Board,” he said.
In response, Cabinet Secretary Wahome pledged Kenya’s support for Nigeria’s chairmanship of UN-Habitat and expressed Kenya’s commitment to enhanced collaboration with Nigeria in tackling the continent’s housing challenges.
She reiterated Kenya’s readiness to work closely with Nigeria to strengthen UN-Habitat and Shelter Afrique Development Bank to maximise their impact.