Politics
NASS Plans 6,000 Housing Units For Staff
Executive Director, Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), National Assembly Chapter, Dr Beni Goka, says the association is embarking on construction of 6,000 housing unit with local materials for staff in Abuja.
He made this known in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Abuja.
Goka stressed the need for the government and staff associations to ensure the welfare of citizens were guaranteed through affordable housing schemes.
As part of its effort at providing affordable houses for its members, Goka said that the association was embarking on a project of 6000 units of houses spread across the six area councils of the FCT.
“The staff union of the National Assembly decided in its goodness that the staff members need to be accommodated,” he said.
Goka noted that the association had identified over the years that finance and land acquisition were reasons why their members were not accommodated under the National Assembly Housing Scheme.
According to him, the contract for the building will be awarded to developers, who are proficient, who have the know-how, who are financially viable and who have lands.
“We had 70 developers, who applied for these positions but we are settling for 10. We will ensure that this project does not fail.
“We are also sourcing for alternative funding because we are aware that the Federal Mortgage Bank will be able to build up to a certain stage before they get their money back,” he said.
The executive director, Construction Finance, NASS, said the project was meant for permanent staff and legislative aides.
“These legislative aides are not members of PASAN. We are trying to include them in the project. Nigerians in general will also benefit from the project,” he said.
Goka, who said that there was daily increase in the cost of building materials, noted that the association had approximate value of monetary figure that would be placed on the houses.
According to him, for instance two-bedroom will costs between N9 million to N10 million, while the developer designs with our specification.
“Quantity Surveyor will verify what they bring in based on today’s market, then we will come up with an acceptable price for the project which will be based on differences in location.
“For the payment schedule, there will be monthly deduction that goes to PASAN fund as contribution to the housing.
“What we are trying to do is to make sure that our staff fall into the Federal Mortgage Bank long term mortgage scheme.
“We are working out the modalities of payment based on the year of service and year remaining in service versus the down payment,” Goka said
The director told newsmen that the association would make use of local materials for the construction of the over 6000 units of houses for staff of the National Assembly.
According to Goka, this was in a bid to promote the use of indigenous products.
“We are hoping to use more of local content in our construction, particularly in the building materials.
“The local tiles are cheaper than the ones we import from China, with the economic recession, from January till date, local tiles have added about N250. If we are to import, it will be about N2, 300 we are having our local tiles at about N1, 350 on bulk purchase,” he said.
He further said that the use of local content does not involve only the building materials but also the technical expertise.
According to him, the association will be using simple finishing to make the houses more cheaper and affordable.
“By simple finishing we mean the basic finishing”.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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