PORT HARCOURT — The Rivers State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing adequate, affordable and sustainable housing for residents, while calling for stronger collaboration among government, built-environment professionals and citizens to address the State’s growing housing and urban-development challenges.
The commitment was reiterated on Monday, October 5, 2026, during the 2026 World Habitat Day celebration organised by the Rivers State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development at the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute Auditorium in Port Harcourt.
The annual observance, held on the first Monday of October, provides a global platform for reflection on the state of human settlements and the right to adequate shelter, while encouraging governments and stakeholders to promote inclusive, safe and sustainable cities.
Speaking on the theme, “Adequate Housing For All,” veteran Town Planner, Dr. Mina Aprioku, said the celebration provided an opportunity to examine what constitutes adequate housing within contemporary urban governance.
Aprioku identified rapid urbanisation, affordability constraints and rising population pressures as major drivers of the housing deficit, noting that cities such as Port Harcourt were experiencing increasing pressure on available housing and urban infrastructure.
He called for increased housing construction backed by appropriate policies developed in collaboration with professionals in the built environment. He also urged residents to comply with physical planning regulations and play a greater role in community development.
Speaking, the State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Amaopusenibo Amairigha Edward Hart, said the 2026 theme was particularly relevant given the growing demand for decent and affordable accommodation.
Amaopusenibo Hart, who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Town Planner Soibitein Duke-Harry, highlighted housing interventions by the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, including the 20,000-unit RIV/TAF City Housing Project targeted at medium and low-income earners, as well as the Civil Servants’ Quarters and Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters.
According to him, the projects are intended not only to provide decent accommodation but also to generate employment and stimulate economic activity, while urging professional bodies and residents to support the State’s urban renewal efforts.
The Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. Inyingi Brown, represented by Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of Service, Chimenem Mpi, commended the Ministry for sustaining discussions around sustainable human settlements and acknowledged the administration’s housing initiatives for civil servants.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by Professor Sodienye Abere of the Centre for Climate Change and Sustainable Development Studies, Rivers State University; representatives of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and Nigerian Institute of Town Planners; and Dr. Ibimina Wokoma, Managing Director of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency.
The celebration also carried a strong flood-prevention message, with the Ministry aligning with the 2026 Annual Flooding Sensitization Advisory issued through the Nigerian National Volunteer Service. Residents were urged to avoid construction on natural waterways, riverbanks and flood-prone locations, keep drainage channels free of refuse and promptly report emerging flooding threats.
The event featured a special presentation by students of Baptist High School, Port Harcourt, alongside dance performances. It brought together the Surveyor General of Rivers State, town planners, engineers, environmental professionals, students, civil society representatives and members of the public.
The discussions ultimately underscored that achieving “Adequate Housing For All” requires more than constructing houses: it also depends on effective physical planning, infrastructure, environmental responsibility, professional input and sustained compliance by residents.
