The Chief of the naval staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo on Thursday, December 15, 2022 performed the ground-breaking ceremony for two new housing estates for the Nigerian Navy within the precint’s of the Admiralty Estate Asokoro, Abuja and at Karshi, Nassarawa State,.
The two estates are are in furtherance of efforts by the CNS to alleviate the challenge of housing accommodation for naval personnel in the Federal Capital Territory.
At the foundation laying ceremony of Cluster H, Admiralty Estate, Navy town, Asokoro, Vice Admiral Gambo expressed delight at the Ground Breaking of housing estate developments on the 8.5 Hectares of land under a Joint Venture Partnership arrangement.
He described access to adequate housing as the second most essential basic need of mankind outside food hence, It is an integral factor to deriving satisfaction in economic, social and cultural rights.
Accordingly, it is commonly accepted that the well-being of both individuals and families is substantially affected when the need for satisfactory housing is not met.
Notng that various governments at the Federal and State levels have in the past made efforts at improving the housing situation in the country, he said the supply still falls far short of the housing needs.
“The Nigerian Navy through Navy Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries are contributing its own quota to meet the housing needs of both its personnel and the public. However, housing financing has become one of the most important factors affecting housing delivery.
“Accordingly, sequel to the 1991 National Housing Policy recognizing the importance of private sector engagement, various governments have encouraged private sector financing
organizations to participate in the provision of housing delivery financing.
“Therefore, I wish to congratulate the Navy Holdings Limited and the Navy Building Construction Company for this laudable initiative by engaging in Joint Venture Partnership with Dynactic Industry, Infiouest International, Kanode Nigeria, Lalus Shelters, Zoe New Dawn and Orims Consult Limited, for housing estate development of the 1.8 Hectares land at Cluster H here at the Admiralty Estate.
“This is surely a step in the right direction. To our developers, your selection as preferred partners for this all-important project means a lot towards the actualization of the Nigerian Navy housing dream. Accordingly, it is expected you remain committed to the ideals of delivering quality, decent, comfortable and safe housing in line with the agreements signed and within stipulated timelines for delivery.
“I, therefore, charge both consultants and developers to spare nothing towards ensuring that the vision and concept for this development are achieved to the letter and in line with industry and global best practices. There should be no shortcuts at the expense of safety and quality delivery and hopefully, this project would be a reference point for other developments being planned by the Nigerian Navy in Abuja and other states of the country.”
At the foundation laying ceremony of Navy Estate Karshi Phase 3, the CNS disclosed that his administration was committed to the welfare of officers and ratings of the navy.
He said, “On behalf of officers, ratings and civilian staff of the Nigerian Navy, I have the honour to heartily welcome everyone to another unique milestone in the comprehensive Nigerian Navy transformation plan, which is the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony to flag off the Post Service Housing Scheme estate development for the Navy Estate Karshi.
“Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, no doubt food, shelter and clothing remain the 3 basic necessities of mankind and certainly, housing constitutes a very significant part as the second most essential basic need, where an individual grows and matures as a dependable part of society.
“Accordingly, the impact of affordable housing to personnel welfare cannot be quantified as it is adjudged as a veritable tool for motivation and boosting morale in the Service.
“In this regard, the Nigerian Navy over the years continued to prioritize home ownership in the hierarchy of its preferences. This resulted in the establishment of the Nigerian Navy Post Service Housing Scheme Limited in November 2009 and subsequently, renamed Naval Building and Construction Company Limited on 5 July 2015.
“The Company has constructed the Navy Estates Karshi Phases 1 and 2, whose allocations are dominated by Nigerian Navy personnel both serving and retired. Allocations were equally extended to members of the public to deny it a barracks status, being a post Service housing scheme. The Naval Building and Construction Company Limited also moved on to establish the Navy Town Estate Asokoro consisting of both Nigerian Navy personnel and civilian subscribers.
“However, the above-mentioned Navy Estates did not capture the interest of ratings. It is against this backdrop that Navy Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries are collaborating to provide affordable housing to personnel with peculiar consideration for ratings at the Navy Estate Karshi Phase 3.
“To further enhance subscription by ratings towards mitigating housing challenges faced on retirement, 60 per cent of the allocations in the 7.8 Hectare estate would be availed to ratings, while officers and members of the public would subscribe to the balance of 40 per cent.
“Furthermore, affordable mortgage templates would be made available to interested personnel to key into the low-cost housing estate. These efforts underscore the premium placed on personnel welfare to enhance the operations effectiveness of the Nigerian Navy.
“It is therefore instructive that the Nigerian Navy personnel and particularly ratings take advantage of this rare opportunity to own a home of their own. On this note, the Naval Headquarters will work out plans to assist the Navy Holdings Limited fast track the infrastructural development of the Navy Estate Karshi, Phase 3. In addition, the Nigerian Navy through Navy Holdings Limited is working with some state governments to acquire land for development towards cushioning the dearth of affordable housing for personnel.
“Pertinently, a process of developing post-service housing is about to commence on 10.3 hectares of land allocated by Lagos State Government at Tokpo Badagry near ASCON. Kaduna State Government has also allocated 3.36 and 2.75 hectares of land for Post Service houses and residential officers’ quarters respectively at Millennium City 2 in Kujama as well as another 1.8 hectares for CNS Guest House in Mando.
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