The Federal Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to build one thousand houses for the Federal Civil Servants in the country.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita at the signing ceremony between the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB) and a Chinese Housing Development Company, China Nangtong Sanjian Construction Company (CNTC), on Thursday in her office in Abuja, said that the occasion was a significant event in the life of the Nigerian Civil Servant and herself, because it provided another opportunity to promote one of the welfare packages for the Federal Civil Servants, by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Mrs. Oyo-Ita said that the country’s significant demand for housing had continued to rise as housing deficit is of 20% and over 80% of Public servants do not own houses.
She added that it is time for Nigeria to benefit from its contributions to the African Development Bank as a member of the African Union, so as to enable Nigerians own a house of their own.
The Head of Service said further that it is in recognition of this fact that the present administration made the housing sector a key focus in the Change Agenda with a target of 500,000 housing units with significant allocation to the housing sector in the 2016 budget under the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.
She maintained that addressing the sources of mortgage needs of the Federal Government employees would not only motivate them, but would go a long way in reducing perceived corrupt practices in the service.
Mrs. Oyo –Ita expressed optimism that developing the housing sector would help stimulate economic growth as well as create jobs in the economy. “Indeed having construction is one of the indices of most developing economies, “she said.
Meanwhile, the Vice General Manager of the Company China Nangtong Sanjian Construction Company (CNTC), Mr. Tee Ching Seng, in his remarks at the occasion said, they were ready to share their wealth of experiences with Nigerians. He assured that his company would declare the most quality and affordable houses to the Federal Civil Servants.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on behalf of the Federal Government by the Executive Secretary Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB), Dr. (Mrs) Hannatu Fika, who assured that, the houses would be allocated to only genuine Federal Public Servants.
She added that the company was nominated by Shelter Afrique which is funded by the United Nations and that indigenous workforce would be used to implement the housing project which is expected to be completed within eighteen months.
SIGNED
Mohammed Manga
Assistant Director (Media Relations)
For: Head of the Civil Service of the Federation
