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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Federal Government has concluded plans to establish a N100 billion Police Housing Fund for officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, made this known at the launch of the Nigerian Police Housing Summit in Abuja.
He said the objectives of the 2024 Nigerian Police Housing Summit is aimed at articulating a vision of ‘effective and efficient’ housing as an essential tool for the welfare of the Nigeria Police Force’s men and officers.
The IGP said that the summit which has as theme, “Renewed Hope for Police Housing in Nigeria,” “is a key aspect of enhancing our officers’ conditions is the provision of appropriate housing during and after their service. This task is monumental, as the Nigerian Police Force currently grapples with a significant housing shortage for its members across all ranks.
“Presently, housing capacity meets only about 10 per cent of the needs of our more than 400,000-strong workforce. Moreover, years of neglect have rendered existing barracks accommodations largely inadequate, failing to meet the demands of modern 21st-century policing.
“A critical discussion point will be the establishment of a N100 billion Police Housing Fund. Preliminary assessments are underway, and engagements with key players and institutions have begun. The experts and facilitators gathered here today will play a crucial role in refining our strategies and ideas.”
He said that “In the past, the Nigeria Police Force has launched initiatives aimed at addressing these shortfalls, including the establishment of the Nigerian Police Force Property Development and Construction Co Ltd and forging partnerships with various state governments, government bodies, sister organisations, and private sector developers.”
The IGP, while noting that the impact of the efforts have been minimal, said the time has come for a strategic reassessment and a revamp of the NPF’s execution framework to adequately meet our officers’ housing needs.
“Today marks the launch of the inaugural Nigerian Police Housing Summit. Under the theme ‘Renewed Hope for Police Housing in Nigeria,’ and supported by sub-themes such as ‘Accessible Housing: An Indispensable Welfare Tool,’ and ‘Pragmatic Solutions for Police Housing,’ this summit is envisioned as a critical platform for discussing and developing strategies to realize our goal of providing accessible and affordable housing to our officers and men.
“This premier event also aims to foster comprehensive solutions for the swift delivery of quality, cost-effective housing solutions—both rental and owned—for our force members, active and retired.”
