• Launches 950-housing units pilot estate
Senator Iroegbu in Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has launched a massive post-service housing scheme for its personnel, starting with a pilot estate for its non-commissioned officers in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, disclosed this yesterday during the inauguration of the Standing Committee on Implementation of NAF Eagle State Project 1, Air Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Abubakar stressed that the 950-housing unit pilot project, is one of the welfare initiatives being executed by the NAF to ensure that their personnel have a comfortable service and post-service life.
“In order to alleviate the challenge of housing for its personnel, the NAF has embarked on numerous programmes and direct-impact projects that have transformed the lives of her personnel. Besides, the NAF has been at the heart of fundamental improvements in the quality of housing and its management,” he said.
According to him, the NAF Eagle State Project 1 is one of the air force’s housing programmes targeted at the Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) cadre.
The CAS stated that they intend to expand the housing schemes to other parts of the country including Enugu, Kaduna and Lagos. He said: “The Estate, which will have all inclusive services and facilities, will serve as a template for other post housing schemes we have planned across the country.
“Let me emphasise that this is only the pilot project. With time, the project is planned to extend to other cities like Enugu, Kaduna and Lagos.”
Abubakar said currently, about 2,000 personnel have already subscribed for the housing whereby they only have about 950 units. “So as you can see this is a huge project and we are working to expand it nationwide,” he noted.
He said the Committee headed by Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Audu-Bida (rtd), shall remain in force until the full implementation of the project.
The Air Force Chief also charged the Committee to oversee the development of the estate for sale to NCOs and Senior NCOs at the no commercial basis; and ensure that the houses and infrastructure are built in line with the approved building plan without compromising quality.
Above all, he said, this is to ensure that the interest of the NAF and the nation remains foremost in the development and implementation of the project.
Earlier, Chief of Administration, NAF, AVM Ajibola Jekennu, said arrangements had been made with mortgage institutions to ease the acquisition of the houses by the officers. Jekennu also disclosed that some percentage of the housing units will be open to both civilians and staff of other security agencies.
