FG launches housing scheme for workers.

 

The Federal Government yesterday in Abuja formally launched a comprehensive housing scheme for federal workers known as Federal Civil Servants Housing Scheme (FISH).
Speaking at the Ground Breaking ceremony at the Apo Tafyi District Abuja, the representative of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of State Power, Works and Housing, Mustapaha Baba Shehu, said the initiative of the office of the Head of Head Civil Service of the Federation was commendable as it would give workers the opportunity to optimise their service output.

He said the government was targeting about 5,000 housing units in all the states within three years.
“I therefore urge the workers to re-dedicate themselves to service and contribute to good governance. This government is committed to workers welfare,” he said.
Chairman of the occasion, the Executive Director, Dangote Group, Engr. Mansur Ahmed who represented the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said the government and the organised private sector must continue to collaborate not only to build structures but also build other national values and maintain existing structures to stimulate national development.
He said as the civil servants are mother of all institutions, if the civil service works, other institutions would work well.
The Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF) Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, said the provision of mass housing as a basic need and necessity in every society would also contribute to the development of national economy through the generation of employment in the building and allied industries and its attendant increase in financial intermediation and economic activities.
“To address the nagging issues of housing gaps especially for federal civil servants, my office concenptualzed the FISH programme to provide cost effective and affordable housing for various categories of workers as a means to uplift their moral, commitment, stewardship and quality of life during and after service,” Oyo-Ita said.
The Permanent Secretary, Common Services Office (CSO) of the office of the HoCSF, Dr. Yemi Adelakun, said since the Staff Quarters’ Policy was abolished, the fortune of workers in terms of accommodation had dwindled.
“The upper limit price for the low cost houses are N5m, N9m and N12m for one bedroom, two bedrooms and three bedrooms respectively. These prices can be lower depending on the level of infrastructure and site services FISH programme can provide,” Adelakun said.
The Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Deaconess Ayo Joan, said the scheme that would be sited on a 60 hectare land was a welcome development and any action that would motivate workers should be celebrated.