The Rivers State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing residents with affordable, safe, and climate-resilient housing as part of efforts to promote sustainable urban development.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Amairigha Edward Hart, stated this during the 2026 World Habitat Day celebration held at the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Training Institute, Port Harcourt.
Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Tpl. Soibitein Duke Harry, Hart said this year’s theme, “Adequate Housing for All,” underscored the need for safe and liveable housing capable of withstanding environmental challenges, particularly flooding.
He said the state government’s 20,000-unit housing programme remained a major intervention, noting that about 1,000 units had already been commissioned while construction continued on other phases.
Hart said the state was also pursuing orderly urban development through physical planning, development control and urban renewal, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Speaking at the event, Dr Mina Aprioku said the housing challenge should not be measured only by the number of available buildings but by whether homes provide adequate safety, affordability, infrastructure and essential services.
Aprioku noted that more than three billion people globally lack adequate housing, while about 1.1 billion live in informal settlements and slums.
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He said housing affordability was also a major concern in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rapidly growing cities such as Port Harcourt.
He called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, private developers, planning professionals and communities to address the housing deficit.
The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Tpl. Stella Nwasa Enyadike, stressed that adequate housing must include access to infrastructure, basic services and a healthy environment.
Professor Sodienye Abere of Rivers State University urged developers to incorporate environmental sustainability and green spaces into housing projects, particularly in view of the state’s vulnerability to flooding.
Similarly, the Managing Director of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency, Dr Ibimina Wokoma, called for effective waste-management systems to be incorporated into housing developments.
Dr Edmund Nwokaeze, also of Rivers State University, highlighted the “Beware of Flooding Dangers” campaign by the Nigerian National Volunteer Service, urging residents to avoid building on waterways, blocking drainage channels and indiscriminate waste disposal.
Representing the Head of Service, Dr Inyingi S. Brown, the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare, Chimenem MPI, commended the ministry for promoting sustainable housing discussions and praised the state government’s housing initiative for civil servants.
The event featured contributions from professionals in the built environment, environmental sector, government agencies, students and other stakeholders.
