By JOHN ONAH, Abuja-According to a report, an estimated that 24.4 million of Nigeria’s 200 million Populations, are homeless. However, there is no official record or data-keeping within the country and, as a consequence, numbers could easily be much higher.
The lack of official records which is not peculiar to housing sector alone also means that there is no way to know the extent of the homeless problem, no real data kept on the number of empty homes, and no way to know what steps need to be taken to tackle both problems.
The problem of empty properties has been visible for some time. The problem is not that there are no houses. If you look around, there are empty houses all over Abuja. From Gwarinpa, Lugbe, Wuye and so many other places; some can even go for so many years without being rented out, yet there seemed to be no accommodation for so many Nigerians. The problem is that people can’t afford them. We need better alternatives.”
While many frowned at the development, which led to a question of why the interests in the investment in housing as there are houses without occupants year in and out.
This led to calls by Nigerians urging Government to impose a vacant home tax on citizens as most residents in Nigeria’s informal settlements live without access to even the most basic services.
Checks by our Correspondent discovered that newly built luxury dwellings are springing up throughout Nigerian cities and that was made possible often through the forced eviction of poor communities.
These units do not fulfil any housing need, with many remaining vacant as vehicles for money laundering or investment which also forced many calling for probe into sources of founding of such houses.
Mass evictions are very frequent in Lagos. Government officials typically give no warning before forcibly removing residents. In one startling example, reported by Amnesty International, between March 2016 and November 2017, 30,000 residents from the Otodo-Gbame community, on the outskirts of Lagos, were made homeless as machete-wielding men cleared out entire neighbourhoods.
Nigeria does not currently have any ‘vacant property tax’. It has been suggested that such a vacant property tax could prove fruitful in reducing economic equality and providing more resources to tackle homelessness. The choice not to have such a tax can be viewed as political, as empty homes can quite literally be linked to wealth hoarding and corruption.
At the same time, luxury homes, unaffordable to most, are continuing to spring across the country with no potential buyers due to lack of funds and stability; and as a result, they remain empty. A recent story that gained traction on social media was of a man who had squatted in an abandoned building 22 years ago and eventually began renting out some of the rooms. The proceeds of which led to him building his own home and starting various businesses. Exceptional responses like this may prove tenuous without legal protections however.
The empty homes crisis the country faces can be attributed partly to high rates of corruption from those living within the country and in the diaspora. The property market has been at an effective standstill for several years, leading many to conclude that luxury homes are essentially used as a means to hoard wealth, by both those developing them and those who may ultimately purchase them.
Best Estates in Abuja according to PropertyPerinsider:
Real Estate in Abuja is known to be top notch, housing Nigeria’s most expensive properties, apartments etc. The uniquely built capital of the nation is much of beauty and glamour.
No doubt, Abuja is one of the best places to live in Nigeria. Thus, we created a detailed list of the best residential Estates in Abuja. Check out these Estates and their uniqueness below.
1 Goshen Villa Estate
2 Crown Court, Mabushi Abuja
3 Peggy’s Pointee
4 Efab Estate
5 Sunny Vale Homes
Goshen Villa Estate
Goshen Villa Estate has been described as a lifestyle estate, The estate has a central water treatment and supply facility to guarantee a constant supply of potable water. Goshen Villa Estate is equipped with an outstanding infrastructure and with close reach to Abuja FCT City Gate, serving more than 15 national destinations, Parliamentary Hill Estates(Goshen Villa Estate) is thoroughly connected to the city of FCT-ABUJA. The Estate is a couple of minutes away from the National Stadium, half an hour from the International Airport. Goshen Villa Estate has a good network of well-tarred roads with landscaped lawns. The front of the house also doubles as parking space for two cars, leaving just enough room to access the front door.
Crown Court, Mabushi Abuja
It is a lifestyle estate in Mabushi Area of Abuja, made up of 106 units of condos, detached and semi-detached houses. The estate was fully completed in November 2012 and occupied. It’s Key features and amenities are: Own Telephone Exchange; Independent Power Supply; Industrial Boreholes with elaborate Independent water works; Club House, Swimming Pool and Gym; Estate Mini-mart for everyday needs; Laundry Mart; Recreational Area; Most environmentally friendly neighborhood; Highest Grade civil works (underground drains, walkways and paved roads).
Peggy’s Pointee
Designed and built with all imagination, grandeur, style, comfort, and tranquility associated with affluent living, Peggy’s Pointee is arguably one of the most desirable apartments in Maitama District, Abuja. It is a very expensive estate and it is the home of the creme de la creme in Abuja. Modern facilities and services include; Fully fitted Gymnasium; Swimming Pool; Bar and restaurant; Tennis Court; Basketball Court; Jogging track/football pitch; Children’s playground; “The Sanctum” – Massage Suite; Clubhouse/ Games room; Fully I.T Capable Business Lounge; Convenience store; Laundromat; Intruder/panic alarm system; Fire detection alarms among others.
Efab Estate
Efab Estate is located in Lokogoma Abuja. However, it has spread to other parts of the Nation’s capital. Lokogoma (or ‘Lokogoma Cadastral Zone C09’) is a residential area of Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria. It is located just 30 minutes from the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport and is located 25 minutes from the city centre.
Its unique features are: It occupies about 60 hectares of land. It has over 800 housing units. It has 5 bedroom Duplexes. It also has 4 and 3 bedrooms Detached Bungalows. Each housing unit has enough space for boys quarters. The Estate is behind the Prince and Princess Estate. Its Location is easily accessible to all parts of Abuja. It is Bound by SunCity and Sunny Ville Estates. Serene It is located in a Low-Density Environment, 5km (or 10 mins drive) to the city centre. Efab is Easily accessible from the Gaduwa Express road. Proximity to a world class shopping centre – Shoprite; Proximity to the Mechanic Village. There is an Easy linkage to the Airport road.
Infrastructure and services available in the Estate are: Secure fence around entire estate; Tarred Roads/Pedestrian walkways; Adequate Drainage; Constant light from the National Grid; Street Lights; Treated Water; Supply/Bore Hole; Schools/Hospital/Corner Shops; 24 Hours Security/Surveillance; Landscaping/Gardening and Cleaning Services; Facility Management and Maintenance Services; Facility Management and Maintenance Services.
Sunny Vale Homes
This new Estate is sprawled over 101 hectares and with over 1,500 units already occupied. Sunnyvale is located in the serene suburban Dakwo District of the FCT, Abuja, five minutes away from the Games Village. It features enviable amenities and comfort which comprises a Shopping Mall, Community Sports Centre, dedicated Police Station and a recreational building. House types are; (2) bedroom twin bungalow; (3) bedroom twin bungalow; (4) bedroom semi-detached bungalow and; (4) bedroom detached duplex, all with two (2) rooms boys’ quarters. It is a gated area. This Estate is fully secured and also offers good amenities to its occupants.
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