The Federal Government has advised officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to take advantage of the housing loans made available to them through the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB) to own their abode/houses/homes early enough in service so as to enable them to repay the funds conveniently without stress.
The Executive Secretary, Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board, Alhaji Ibrahim Mairiga gave the advice in Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja Tuesday, during a panel discussion on the Nigeria Police Housing Summit.
Represented by the Board’s Deputy Director, Administration, Mrs Monica Igwe, the Executive Secretary observed that, seventy per cent of an officer’s challenges are solved when he or she is able to access his or her own house.
He added that public servants are fully motivated and committed to delivering on their mandate, especially when the issue of housing and accommodation are adequately taken care of.
Alhaji Mairiga informed the audience that the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board is fully committed to creating an enabling environment for the public servants in the country to access the Loans with a view to ensuring that they own their homes in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration.
Speaking about the high cost of building materials in the country, the Executive Secretary emphasized the need for synergy and collaboration between the stakeholders in the housing industry and relevant government agencies like Federal Ministries of Power, Water Resources, and Works for the provision of land and infrastructure to reduce the cost of building and make houses affordable for the Federal Public Servants.
He explained that one can access the housing loans on a single digit of 3 per cent to build or purchase a house by applying online using the Board’s Website www.fgshlb.gov.ng, noting that the loans are given based on the officer’s grade level and number of years left in service.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said that the housing capacity of the force is about 10-20% of over 400,000 workforce, and due to long years of neglect, the existing and available barracks accommodation are largely unsuitable for officers and incompatible with the 21st century policing architecture.
He added that one of the significance of the summit is the need to deliberate on the modalities for the creation and establishment of a one hundred Billion Naira Police Housing Fund Programme.
He stated that the NPF is willing to partner with any relevant government agency with a view to ensuring that the personnel of the force acquire their homes at least before they bow out from service.
The IGP assured that in spite of the housing challenges the force is facing today, Nigeria Police Force will continue to discharge its constitutional responsibility in line with the policy thrust of government.
The theme of the summit is “Renewed Hope for Police Housing in Nigeria”
Signed
Obiechina Ngozi
Head, Information, and PR
