The lawmaker representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, has asked the federal government to allocate the forfeited Abuja estate of 753 housing units and apartments to the military to address the housing needs of its personnel.
The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development had disclosed plan to auction a part of the 753-duplex housing estate, originally linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and confiscated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before its eventual forfeiture to the federal government.
Dasuki, in a statement on Wednesday, said a major area where the wellbeing of military personnel and their families could be enhanced was in the area of housing.
He said adequate and decent housing is a critical need of the Armed Forces, adding that lack of it often leads to stress, low morale, and physical and emotional strain that could undermine the capacity of the military to carry out its duties effectively.
“We must ensure that those who keep us safe and their families have a decent place to lay their heads every night.. We must not allow this opportunity to address a critical area of military well-being to slip by. It is the right thing to do for those who keep us safe,” he stated.
Dasuki, who chairs the House Committee on Shipping Services, said the forfeiture was a milestone in the fight against corruption but a bigger milestone could be recorded in the way the forfeited estate would be used by the government.
According to him, the forfeiture presents a low hanging fruit that can be plucked to address the housing needs of the military, particularly in the nation’s capital.
“By prioritising the welfare of the Armed Forces and their families, national security will be strengthened, operational readiness and effectiveness of the military will be enhanced, and our commitment to the wellbeing of those who keep us safe will be indubitable.
“We will also be showing clearly to these gallant men and women who bear arms in our defence that we are indeed grateful for their service to the nation,” Rep Dasuki said.
He urged National Assembly leadership to urgently open discussions with the executive arm of government on the need to allocate the forfeited housing units to the military so that this rare opportunity of addressing the housing needs of the military in the nation’s capital will not not missed.
“Our gratitude to these men and women who keep us safe and secure, and who bear arms to defend our territorial integrity must go beyond rhetoric. We must continually honour their sacrifices by catering for their welfare. It is the least we can do for them,” Dasuki noted.
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