Union Demands Houses For Civil Servants

The Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), in FCT Abuja, Comrade Nehemiah Ogem, has called on government to provide more houses for civil servants within Abuja municipality.
Ogem told newsmen in Abuja that civil servants would discharge their duties effectively if they lived very closely to their offices.
“Most of the civil servants are living in Suleja, Mararaba, Kwali, Keffi and Nyanya, among others because they cannot afford the rent within the FCT.
“They get to office late and try to put all their efforts into the work and also leave office before the closing time in order to escape traffic congestion on the roads,” he said.
According to him, the cost of renting houses varies from location to location.
“The lowest cost for one bed-room flat within the city is N700,000 but goes for N1million and above in Asokoro, Maitama, Gwarinpa and Garki II.
“Most of these expensive houses in Asokoro, Maitama, Wuse, Gwarinpa and Garki are empty. They are occupied by security guards and reptiles because most workers cannot afford the high cost.’’
He recalled that government provided houses for civil servants during the administration of Nasir el-Rufai as Minister of FCT.
“Civil servants were asked to pay 70 per cent of the cost and the balance within three months.
“Most civil servants could not meet up and were asked to open accounts with Aso Savings and Loans and the bank was deducting from their salaries every month.
“Some of the workers who could not cope with the scheme eventually sold the houses to balance the loan and relocated to the outskirts of FCT.’’
He appealed to the government to look at the possibility of regulating rent in the FCT to help the working class and other low-income earners to live in decent accommodation.
He said the union had projects in which it was partnering with developers to provide estates for members.
Ogem also said the union had applied for land and had been waiting for approval from the FCDA in the past two years.