As World Bank Stakes N48 Billion For Mass Houses In Nigeria
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar may have set a record that would take a long time to beat in terms of delivering mass houses for people by government agencies after delivering 200 housing units of 3 bedrooms for his men in just eight months.
Constructed in Idimu, Lagos State, men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) will take over the houses on owner-occupier basis. Each beneficiary will pay a total cost of N8million for each of the 3 bedroom flats for a period of 15 to 20 years. Named, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Housing Estate, the parkland was handed over to the NPF by the Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan in Lagos. Speaking at the event, the President said the estate has set a better standard of building to accommodate officers of the NPF.
“It is notable that for the first time in recent memory, the Nigeria Police Force out of its own effort and initiative has built houses for its staff on owner occupier basis. I commend the IGP, his management team, the developer and the Police Cooperative Society for expeditiously delivering this project. From what the IG told me it took them 8 months to get to this level and I have to commend them especially the developer”, Jonathan said.
The President said his government is taking steps to address the housing needs of Nigerians by restructuring the Federal Mortgage Bank adding that the World Bank has already committed $300 million, about(N48 billion) to the project, which he said will be launched later this year.
“The Federal Mortgage Bank is being restructured to meet the demands of the sector, especially mass housing. In addition, the Nigerian Mortgage Refinancing Institute is being set up with the aim of revitalising the nation’s mortgage financing institution with a $300 million liquidity support from the word bank. It is expected that this programme, which will be launched this year, will enhance the level of financing available for mortgages across the country”, he said adding that the estate represents another successful outcome of the Public Private Partnership initiative of the administration and that such effort will go a long way in attaining the nation’s national goals.
“I encourage government organisations to continue to partner with the private sector to meet the housing needs of their employee. This will go a long way in enabling us meet our goals of providing affordable houses for all Nigerians”, he said, stressing that government places high premium on provision of affordable housing for Nigerians. He added that accommodation is one of the strategic imperative for guaranteeing the wellbeing and productivity of every person.
He acknowledged that sustained growth and economic development can only be feasible in an atmosphere of enduring peace, security and stability adding that government is committed to engendering a fully functional and well motivated police force.
“We will do all it will take to continue to enhance the capability and operational readiness of our men and women in the cause of evolving security challenges”, he said , noting that government hopes to replicate current transformation at the Nigeria Police College in Lagos across the nation even though it costs a lot of money.
“The police training school is now taking a new look, we will replicate it across the nation, it costs alot of money but we believe that men and women serving this nation must live and be trained in a descent environment”, he said and thanked the IGP and his management team for immortalising him while he is still in service.
