Muhammad Garba
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) in collaboration with Federal Mortgage Bank has laid the foundation for the construction of 59 housing estates for civil servants in Jigawa state.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the 1st phase of the housing estate, Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, described the project as a welcome development in promoting the well-being of the civil servants.
Governor Namadi, who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Labor Matters, Comrade Tsoho Garba, said his Government will give all necessary support for actualizing the project, which will benefit civil servants and the state in general.
According to him, the state government is also executing a similar project to provide affordable housing to civil servants, with over 1,500 housing units in five Emirates and some major towns in the state.
In his remarks, the Head of Civil Servants, Muhammad K. Dagacire, said the provision of affordable and decent accommodation is imperative in enhancing the welfare of civil servants, which in return will give them the courage and comfort to provide the best service delivery to the public.
In his address, the Chairman of TUC in Jigawa State, Comrade Bashir Tijjani Abubakar revealed that the idea of the project was conceived out of the overwhelming interest of TUC national headquarters to pursue the wellbeing of the workers.
Comrade Bashir noted that TUC in partnership with Federal Mortgage Bank and private developers is expected to deliver the houses within one year for the benefit of the workers.
The Managing Director of Federal Mortgage Bank, Mr Shehu Usman Osidi, said they have so far financed about six different housing east projects in Dutse, the state capital.
The MD who was represented by the Northwest Regional Manager of the Bank noted that the civil servants’ housing estate will be 100 percent funded by the Bank and that they are the only institutions in Nigeria that are providing housing loans below 10 percent interest.
“Besides financing for such housing estate projects, we also have other packages for civil servants, including house renovation loans, individual housing construction, and owners occupiers, all with the sole aim of assisting our cor-partners (civil servants) to have affordable and decent accommodations,” Mr. Usman stayed.
