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From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, at the weekend, said that the 250 housing estates to be built for civil servants were designed to provide affordable accommodation for federal government workers in recognition of their contributions to national development.
Darma made the remark in Abuja when he performed the groundbreaking of the estate comprising 250 two and three bedroom bungalows.
According to him, providing affordable housing to civil servants would not only improve their living conditions by ending accommodation crisis, but also enhance efficiency and productivity in the public service.
The minister described the project as a special recognition of the contributions of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to the transformation of the Nigerian Civil Service, noting that the estate was not merely another housing project, but a demonstration of the government’s appreciation of service, commitment and contribution to national development.
He also mentioned that the groundbreaking was a demonstration of government’s determination to recognise service and contribution, while delivering completed homes that would improve the living conditions and quality of life of Nigerians.
“Provision of affordable and decent accommodation for civil servants, and access to housing was an important component of improving the welfare and efficiency of the workforce,” he remarked.
The minister noted that by providing affordable housing for civil servants, the ministry was contributing to the broader objective of strengthening the civil service and supporting efforts to make it more efficient and corruption-free.
Darma urged the contractors, consultants, supervising teams and other stakeholders involved in the project to ensure that the houses were delivered to high standards, stressing that the quality of the housing units must stand the test of time.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of the ministry to delivering on the housing mandate of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the government would not only make promises but translate them into completed housing projects and hand over keys to beneficiaries.
“We don’t only make promises, we deliver them. We don’t only say we are providing housing units, we commission housing units and give keys to the people to enter into the houses they own,” he said.
He disclosed that the ministry has lined up a number of housing projects to deliver to beneficiaries from the end of August to December across Lagos, Abuja and other locations.
“The planned deliveries were part of the ministry’s determination to move from policy to projects and from promises to tangible results” he noted, assuring Nigerians that the ministry would continue to work towards fulfilling the housing mandate of the administration.
The minister further expressed appreciation to the outgoing Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, for her commitment and partnership with the ministry, particularly for her support to the housing agenda and her personal encouragement to him since his appointment as a minister.
He assured that the ministry would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to deliver quality, affordable and sustainable housing projects in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In her remarks, Walson-Jack, described the groundbreaking as a significant milestone and a “dream- come-true” in the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the welfare and homeownership opportunities of civil servants.
She said the project, being implemented through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Housing Ministry, goes beyond providing shelter, as it offers civil servants security, peace of mind and a lasting reward for their years of dedicated service to the nation.
