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The federal government has pledged to support the Nigerian Army’s post-service housing programme as part of efforts to provide affordable and decent homes for serving and retired military personnel.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy visit to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Army Post Service Housing Development Limited (PHDL), Major General K.O. Ukandu, in Abuja, recently.
Darma said the federal government planned to construct more than 770,000 houses across the country under the National Social Housing Programme, with serving and retired military personnel among the potential beneficiaries.
He said the initiative was designed to expand access to home ownership, particularly for low- and middle-income Nigerians, while recognising the housing needs of those who serve the country.
“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.
He added: “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.”
Darma also disclosed that the Federal Government was working to deliver 1,550 housing units under the Renewed Hope Military Housing Project at Brains and Hammers before the end of the year.
He said the housing policies and projects being implemented by the ministry were designed to recognise the sacrifices made by military personnel, police officers, civil servants and other Nigerians in public service.
“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.
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Responding, Ukandu thanked the ministry for its continued support for the Armed Forces, including houses provided for the take-off of new Army divisions in Taraba State. He also conveyed the greetings of the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Waidi Shaibu.
Ukandu said the Army’s housing initiatives were part of its “Soldier First” concept, which places the welfare of troops at the centre of its policies.
He said the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) was one of the initiatives through which soldiers could secure homes, with personnel contributing 10 per cent of the housing cost while the Army pays 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.
According to him, PHDL’s mandate is to provide affordable housing and retirement homes for military personnel, adding that stronger collaboration with the Housing Ministry would help advance the Renewed Hope Military Housing Project.
“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.
Also speaking, the Director of Public Building and Housing Development in the ministry, QS Pemi Temitope, acknowledged the long-standing partnership between the ministry and the military in improving the welfare of officers and supporting effective service delivery.
He said the ministry would continue to work with the Armed Forces in line with its mandate of providing quality, safe and affordable housing for Nigerians.
