*Promises to deliver 5,000 houses nationwide
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
In his avowed commitment to ensuring welfare of officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is accorded priority, NCS Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi today in Kaduna, presented keys of houses to 164 personnel.
Speaking at the the flag-off ceremony of NCS Housing Scheme at Gidan Iyali Estate, Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna metropolis, he said, “Today, we have another one-hundred and sixty four housing unit comprising of one forty four two bedroom bungalow semi-detached with two bedrooms each, twenty unit bedroom semi-detached bungalows and twenty unit three bedroom duplexes that are about to be delivered our service personnel that have keyed into the program and have indicate their choice of location at Kaduna.
“The exercise is a demonstration of the resolve by the current NCS management to cater the welfare of officers whether they are serving or retired. It is notable that this initiative is no doubt in agreement and supportive of the effort of the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces President Bola Ahmad Tinubu GCFR at making affordable housing available to Nigerians,” he said.
He explained that the 164 units in Kaduna, is in addition to the forty-three housing unit, comprising of 1 bedroom, two bed room semi-detached, two bedroom fully detached, three bedroom semi-detached, three bed room, fully detached and four bedroom fully detached completed houses handed over with keys to their beneficiaries at Ibadan while construction of more units is yet ongoing.
He said, “It is indeed another auspicious occasion to be together to share with you, the positive outcome of the laudable programme of ensuring easy acquisition of homes by personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“You will recall that, I had earlier informed you during the flag-off ceremony of this same programme, the first in the series at Ibadan on the 18th Dec 2023. I did say that a total of 5,000 houses will be targeted for distribution of serving officers and men of the NCS.
“Today provides opportunity to further make good promise made to our Officers and men at Ibadan on that day, at today’s event,” he said.
The Customs CG reiterated that the project is not attempt to recreate the barrack environment as some have been made to believe.
” It is actually a deliberate action plan being executed by the current leadership of the NCS to ensure that personnel of the service are provided with the desired opportunity to acquire their individual homes in a convenient and pocket friendly manner, while still in service.
“This initiative was deemed expedient as some of our personnel have retired from service without a befitting home to commence the new phase of life after retirement. It is hoped that this initiative will go a long a way at putting to an end to the misery that have been experience by some officers and men in the past,” he said.
He therefore, encouraged all officers that have shown interest in the project not to relent and for those that have not, to take the bold step without further delay.
“It is heartwarming to inform all officers that the service is going into an MOU with Cooperative Mortgage Bank through the service ICT and salary section.
“This is to enable all officers making contribution to NCS Cooperative Society to receive alerts via sms. This is a way of ensuring that the entire process is made more transparent as officers will not only see their contribution but the total account balance real time.
“This ceremony is not the last episode, of what we have planned. There are projects similar to this in Kano, Asaba, Yola, Abuja, Enugu and Uyo ready for flag-off. The national spread is aimed at proving each and every officer and man of the service the opportunity to access and benefit from the laudable initiative that is not just pocket friendly but also at convenient locations,” he assured.
On his part, the Portfolio and Assets Manager of Family Homes, George Anih, while addressing the gathering, said his firm is critical about providing shelters for Nigerians at an affordable price.
He expressed commitment to partner with the Nigeria Customs Service to provide 5,000 houses for officers and men of the Service.
Mr. Musa Abubakar, Managing Director of Cooperative Mortgage Bank, assured the Comptroller-General of Customs of his commitment to ensure the successful completion of the project.
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