Politics
Reps frown at FG plan to build N3b houses for top officials
The House of Representatives on Thursday frowned at a plan by the federal government to built 40 houses for top Federal Government officials at a cost of N3billion.
While former President Olusegun Obasanjo started a policy, where housing and car incentives to civil servants are monetised, the House therefore queried the change of policy by the present administration, arguing that the initial programme may have been jettisoned without due process.
This was the position of the Herman Hembe-led House Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during its 2016/2017 budget session with the Ministry of FCT.
Hembe said, “When government comes up with a policy, it should follow it up. When you begin to build houses for ministers, permanent secretaries and directors, are they above the members of the National Assembly?
“If you want to move for monetisation, it should be complete. I think it was wrong to sell the houses in the first place. This kind of thing may be very difficult to pass on the floor of the House. You can’t push for building houses for them. I remember at some point, they even wanted to sell the Vice President’s house.”
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Responding, FCT Permanent Secretary, Babatope Ajakaiye, who represented the minister, Mohammed Bello, explained that the reason for the policy was because government felt the monetisation policy was due for review.
“We have not started it; it is a new project. I still want to plead for understanding on this issue. The issue has been discussed last year and we’re still talking about it. The policy was introduced by government, but after sometime, there was this feeling that it should be reviewed.
“When government says top functionaries, it is not defining. In countries around the world, they build safe houses, and it’s not meant for any particular person.
“Can we really say we want to give houses to about 500 legislators in one or two years? Top government functionary could be anybody. There’s always a start,” he said.
After deliberation on the matter, the committee requested that details of the 40 unit houses, their specifications and supposed beneficiaries be made available to it as soon as possible.
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yanju omotodun
March 31, 2017 at 1:39 pm
Now I understand. The reps are only fighting for their greediness and pride and not for the masses.
Hembe said, “When government comes up with a policy, it should follow it up. When you begin to build houses for ministers, permanent secretaries and directors, are they above the members of the National Assembly?
Why can’t the national Assembly plans building for their own officials too?
This country is something else entirely. If you are not a politician or a political appointee except you are blessed on your own, then you have nothing to gain in this country.
They don’t plan for civil servants especially those at the lower cadre who are being victimized daily by landlords due to poor salary. Instead of them thinking of building houses for these people, they are thinking of building house for people who have the money to build mansions of their own.
Nigeria has goat leaders including president Buhari.
seyi jelili
March 31, 2017 at 3:55 pm
Goat leaders indeed.
All Nigerians should better start vying for elective posts comes next election. Each family should vote for its family and this is where extended family will come to fore because holding a political office is sure way to make money in Nigeria.
Roland Uchendu Pele
March 31, 2017 at 3:30 pm
After building the houses with public funds, they will place them for sale, so that families and friends of the officials will buy. Welcome to Earth!
JOHNSON PETER
March 31, 2017 at 4:13 pm
I need a visa to fly out of this country. Am tired of this country. Rich gets richer, poor gets poorer. No one cares for the poor. Even Buhari himself is just too concerned of himself.
Animashaun Ayodeji
March 31, 2017 at 6:18 pm
All of them are birds of a feather, none of our leaders care about us
Agbor Chris
March 31, 2017 at 6:14 pm
It disgusts me so hard anytime I read any news about the executives and the senators’ hospitality! The people they are governing are suffering, some without jobs, some have no roof on their heads while some find it difficult to feed, yet these evil leaders are deliberating on building hoses for themselves? Who sleeps under the bridge if not them?
Anita Kingsley
March 31, 2017 at 6:16 pm
It’s what I strongly know, the wrath of God will fall on all the leaders fighting for their interests before the masses they are representing. God will punish all of them and their families too!