10th June, 2014
President Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday, inaugurated 1,000 housing units for the police at Dakwa, Abuja and urged other security agencies and MDAs to emulate the force.
Represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo at the inauguration, Jonathan said that the project demonstrated the commitment of the leadership of the force to the overall welfare of the personnel.
“I am proud to say that the present leadership of the police is focused and is set to balance development of all aspects of policing.”
The president added that the houses, which comprised three, two and one bedroom flats, were constructed through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative.
Jonathan said the houses would be delivered to the personnel at the lowest cost through equity contribution.
“Let me reiterate that both the PPP development model and attention to practical mortgage financing initiative are key pillars of the transformation agenda of the present administration,” he said.
He added that it was encouraging that the police had in the last two years built and delivered 2,000 housing units to its personnel across the nation, saying, however, that many more of such housing units would be needed.
Usman Kumo, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Police, urged the Federal Government to fund and equip security agencies to tackle insurgency.
“Let us try to be more practical, the security situation in the country calls for urgent attention.
“The difference between our men (security) and the foreign experts we expect to come and complement our efforts is all about skill, tools, equipment and training.
“I am very, very optimistic that if we give our men the appropriate and desired equipment and funding, we do not need anybody from anywhere to help solve this problem.
Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, said officers who worked day and night to protect lives and property of the citizenry deserved a befitting accommodation.
He said the houses would give them some sense of belonging, as well as motivate and encourage them to be more dedicated to their duties.
“The housing objective of this administration is to ensure that whenever a policeman retires from service, he retires to his personal house,” Abubakar said.