The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of Muttaqha Darma as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, following his screening during plenary.
Darma, who was nominated by President Bola Tinubu, was cleared after responding to questions on his competence, policy direction, and strategies to address Nigeria’s growing housing challenges.
During the screening, the minister-designate pledged to work closely with the National Assembly to tackle the country’s housing deficit, which he noted affects over 100 million Nigerians. He outlined plans to improve access to affordable housing, strengthen institutions, and enhance leadership within the sector.
According to him, bridging what he described as a “leadership gap” is critical to improving housing delivery nationwide.
“We will work together with the National Assembly to ensure that the challenge of housing is addressed,” he said.
Darma also emphasised the need for governance reforms and accountability, noting that both public institutions and private sector players must be repositioned to drive sustainable development in the housing sector.
Responding to questions raised by Adams Oshiomhole, he acknowledged the scale of the housing crisis but expressed confidence that it could be resolved with the right policies and collaboration.
“I believe everything is possible. I will do everything within my capacity to close the gaps and improve the situation,” he stated.
He further assured lawmakers that he would draw on his experience as former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund to deliver measurable results.
On security concerns, Darma noted that stable and safe communities are essential for sustainable housing development, adding that he would contribute to broader efforts to address insecurity.
He also addressed urban planning challenges in the Federal Capital Territory, assuring senators that efforts would be made to restore Abuja’s master plan.
The confirmation followed the reading of the President’s request by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who referred it to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
A trained mechanical engineer and graduate of Bayero University Kano, Darma is expected to bring technical expertise to a ministry central to addressing Nigeria’s housing and urban infrastructure needs.
Elijah Adeyemi
No comments:
Post a Comment