Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma, has pledged support for the Nigerian Army Post Service Housing Development programme, reaffirming the Ministry’s position to provide affordable and decent housing for security personnel, including the Armed Forces, Police and other service units. This was contained in a statement signed by Badamasi S. Haiba, Fsca, mnipr, Director, Press and Public Relations.
The Minister spoke when he received the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Army Post Service Housing Development Limited (PHDL), Major General K.O. Ukandu, on a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.
He disclosed that the Federal Government plans to construct 774, 000 housing units across the country under the National Social Housing Programme, an initiative designed to make home ownership accessible to low and medium-income earners.
The programme, he stated, is deliberately inclusive and will benefit serving and retired military personnel who do not have personal accommodation and wish to resettle in their home communities after service.
“Our plan is to build over 770,000 houses all over Nigeria under what we call the Social Housing Programme. Members of the military, both serving and retired, can favourably benefit from this scheme,” the Minister stated.
“Our target is to reach people, especially in the military, who are serving this country but do not have their own accommodation, and who may wish after service to return back home. As you know, Africa is family-oriented. People always want to go back to their homes. These social housing estates will provide them with shelter when they finish their service,” he added.
The Minister noted that the Federal Government is set to deliver the 1,550 units of Renewed Hope Military housing project at Brains and Hammers before the end of the year, adding that the policy and projects being implemented by the Ministry takes into cognizance the sacrifices of those who serve the nation.
“Everything we are doing in this Ministry will also consider people who serve this country, both in the military, in the police force, and other service units, including civil servants,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the MD/CEO of the Nigerian Army Post Service Housing Development Limited, Major General K.O. Ukandu, thanked the Ministry for its support to the Armed Forces, including houses donated for the take-off of new Army Divisions in Taraba State. He conveyed the greetings of the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Waidi Shaibu.
He said the visit was in line with the Army’s “Soldier First” concept, which prioritizes troops’ welfare, especially through the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS), where soldiers pay 10% of the housing cost, with the Army paying the balance.
“Our job is to acquire land from State Governments and other sources at affordable rates, and make it available to officers and soldiers to build their retirement homes, supported by long-term mortgage arrangements,” he said.
He added that PHDL’s mandate is to provide affordable and retirement homes for personnel, and called for the Ministry’s support in the Renewed Hope Military Housing Project for the benefit of the Nigerian Army.
“Everything revolves around the soldier. If they are well trained and their welfare is taken care of, we will succeed. The Soldier First concept ensures that everything a soldier requires is provided first,” he said.
In his remarks, Director of the department of Public Building and Housing Development in the Ministry, QS Pemi Temitope acknowledged the long-standing collaboration between the Ministry and the Military aimed at supporting and improving the welfare of officers for effective service delivery.
He noted that the Ministry will continue to collaborate in line with its mandate, which includes provision of quality, safe and affordable housing for Nigerians.
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