FG PLANS HOUSING SCHEME FOR FCT CIVIL SERVANTS

By: Tony Odey

The Federal Government has concluded plans to build affordable housing for Civil Servants under the employment of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The housing project is to be undertaken through the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) Programme.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, stated this during the groundbreaking ceremony of additional 116 housing projects in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja

He said the federal government aims to ensure that Civil Servants in the Nation’s Capital own their houses with relative ease.

Fashola disclosed that the present Administration has completed several affordable and decent housing programs for different categories of Civil Servants across the Country.

According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari’s led Government has in the past seven years, paying close attention to the welfare of Civil Servants in the country, which is a deliberate attempt to motivate the workers for enhanced productivity.

He further revealed that the current Administration has consciously ensured that the 28 Federal Secretariats in the country are given face-lifts to give Civil Servants a decent and comfortable working environment.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello remarked that the FISH Programme, which is the component of the welfare pillars of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP)-25 would significantly promote job satisfaction and enhance staff productivity.

Bello, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary. of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Olusade Adesola, expressed satisfaction with the involvement of the Private Sector in Real Estate development in the Territory;
describing the initiative as a welcome development for affordable housing delivery in the territory.

The Minister, however, cautioned the Developers involved in the development of the FISH Programme to ensure that they abide by the extant building regulations by the provisions of the FCT building codes and the Abuja Master Plan.

He also warned that the Administration would not tolerate any form of distortions of the building plans already approved.

Earlier, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan appealed to the Minister of FCT to allocate more land for the FISH Programme to alleviate the accommodation challenges of Civil Servants working in the FCT.

Dr. Esan, who assured Civil Servants across the country of the government’s continued interest in their welfare, urged the Developers to work round the clock to deliver the project on time.