MINISTER IDENTIFIES HOUSING AS VITAL TO NATIONAL GROWTH

The Honourable Minister of Works, Housing and Urban Development Dr. Lawal Hassan has identified the provision of conducive shelter as a motivational factor for national growth.

Speaking through the Chairman Partnership and Business Development in his Ministry, Engr. Olugbinga Olabinjo at the formal commissioning of the “Wole Soyinka Housing Estate for staff of the Federal Road Safety Commission at Kucikau in Nasarawa State, the Minister noted that the “Psychology and performance indices of a man are much higher in a person who is reasonably sheltered than his counterpart whose shelter is not guaranteed”

Dr. Hassan also stated that with the current global economic recession and attendant challenges in standard of living, the Federal Government rely on a new housing delivery strategy under the Public Private Partnership initiative which empowers the private sector operators to deliver both on infrastructure and services in order to ensure affordable housing for Nigerians.

In his remarks, the Pioneer Board Chairman of the FRSC and first black African Noble Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka described the Commission as an institution which engages a majority of Volunteers, Teachers, Journalists and other professionals for selfless service to humanity whose consistent efforts has contributed towards stemming the tide of road traffic crashes across the country. The Noble Laureate added that provision of affordable and conducive housing will provide the required drive for improved service delivery in the nation’s road traffic management.

Also speaking, the FRSC Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, Osita Chidoka cited staff welfare as cardinal policy of the FRSC and described the staff housing scheme as a motivational factor towards improving staff working environment.

The Corps Marshal, who disclosed that facility for the estate was obtained from Fidelity Bank, added that junior and intermediate staff of the FRSC were given special consideration in allocating accommodation to beneficiaries.

According to Chidoka, “an operating license has been issued to the FRSC by the Central Bank of Nigerian to operate Micro Finance Bank to provide financial opportunities for staff of the Commission as well as their relations to better their lives. The share subscriptions will soon be opened to members of the public”