Luanda  – Prime minister, Antonio Paulo Kassoma, on Monday considered the housing problem in Angola as fundamental to  sustainable development.

Addressing the closing of the first National Housing Conference, the prime minister suggested that the matter should be seen in a perspective of integrated planning,  taking into account its implications with other related sectors such as education, health, economy and territory administration.

He also pointed out the need for a continuous creation of conditions in terms of legislation, production of materials and building technologies, market regulation, financial credit and the setting up of a just policy of prices, planning and management of land reserves. 

The premier backed, on the other hand, the implementation of a balanced development which removes discrepancies in the country and allow equal opportunities for citizens all over the country. 

According to him, it is a state duty to create these essential conditions with the participation of the private sector and the civil society bearing on mind the private and public interests  "In no way the right to housing has to be exerted in a illegal and fraudulent manner, when the State acknowledges and has the duty to propiciate this right to citizens" - he said.

Mr Kassoma estimated an housing deficit of two million units for the next four years, pointing to the gradual reduction of the demand of adequate housing as the main challange of the government in terms of housing and urban development.  

He disclosed that the government will approve soon the main instruments and mechanisms for social housing development, including the creation of a housing fund and the updating of the register of the rural and urban real estates.

The government will also review the mechanisms of concession of land  and proceed with the constitution of land reserves for housing purposes and approve the regulation of real estate activity, including the real estate development funds.

The results of this conference will allow to proceed with the necessary adjustments of the government's national program of urbanism and housing. the premier stated.