Customs, Cooperative Mortgage Bank Kick-starts 5009 Housing Units For Officers

BY FUNMI ALUKO

To create a better conducive housing scheme for Officers and Men of the Nigeria Customs Service, the Comptroller General of Customs,  Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR says the service is partnering with the Cooperative Mortgage Bank in constructing a total of five thousand and nine housing units, nationwide.

The CGC revealed this on the 18th December at the Pacesetter Garden Estate, Ajoda Ibadan, Oyo State, in the company of the National President of Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA), Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, DCG Festus Okun, DCG Greg Itotoh, ACG Aliu Olaniyi Alajogun, ACG Bello Jibo and a host of other Senior Officers.

CGC Adeniyi acknowledged the scheme’s impact on Officers and families, especially in boosting their work morale effectively and efficiently.

“The Service is providing temporary relief through staff quarters, but concerns persist regarding retirement and subsequent vacation from these quarters.

“To establish a sustainable housing solution, a strategic partnership has been formed with the Cooperative Mortgage Bank (CMB). This collaboration aims to construct 5009 Housing Units nationwide, providing a stable foundation for Officers and empowering them to invest in their families and futures, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness in serving the nation”, he stated.

According to him, the housing scheme features diverse residences, including two-bedroom terrace bungalows and three-bedroom terrace duplexes, strategically located in Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Asaba, Masaka, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and Abuja.

The CGC expressed gratitude to the Cooperative Mortgage Bank, Modern Shelter, and Brains & Hammers for their collaboration in this flagship housing program.

President of the Cooperative Association of Nigeria, Tajudeen Aiyeola, urged State Governors and Ministers at the national level to take deliberate actions in providing low-cost housing for Nigerian citizens.

He emphasized that achieving substantial provision for affordable housing is possible with government interest, encouraging local production of housing materials, cost reduction, and facilitating access to work-based loans.

Aiyeola while stressing the need for government support and subsidies to benefit Nigerian citizens also highlighted the importance of the cooperative sector, noting its significance in various human endeavours, from the national to its affiliate levels.

He said the cooperative structure is a crucial instrument for the government to implement social and economic programs aimed at the welfare of Nigerians.

He commended the CGC’s uncommon initiative, which he says is designed to eradicate poverty and depression in Nigeria by prioritizing the middle and lower classes.

Aiyeola urged all government agencies in Nigeria to follow suit, commending the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for initiating programs that benefit the people. In addition, he called for collective efforts from the government, governmental parastatals, agencies, and the private sector to focus on the welfare of its  workforce.

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, represented by a Special Assistant lauded the initiative noting that it will contribute to the state’s economic development, which he says aligns with his commitment to providing housing and other developmental projects.

Governor Makinde commended the ComptrollerGeneral of Customs for the endeavour and urged everyone to support it, emphasizing its potential to boost the state’s economy and provide value to Nigerian agencies.

The event ended with the presentation of housing documents to respective recipients, group photographs with various groups of stakeholders present at the event, and a tour of the various types of One bedroom bungalows,  two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, three-bedroom semi-detached, detached bungalows and four-bedroom bungalow.