The federal government has pledged support for the Nigerian Army Post Service Housing Development Programme to provide affordable housing for military personnel.

The minister of housing and urban development, Muttaqha Darma, made the pledge when the managing director and chief executive officer of Nigerian Army Post Service Housing Development Ltd. (PHDL), Maj.-Gen. K.O. Ukandu, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

This is contained in a statement by the ministry’s director of press and public relations, Badamasi Haiba, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Saturday.

Mr Darma said the ministry was committed to providing affordable and decent housing for security personnel, including serving and retired military personnel.

He said the federal government planned to construct 774,000 housing units across the country under the National Social Housing Programme.

“Our plan is to build over 774,000 houses all over Nigeria under what we call the Social Housing Programme.

“Members of the military, both serving and retired, can favourably benefit from this scheme,” he said.

According to him, the programme will benefit serving and retired military personnel who do not have personal accommodation and wish to return to their home communities after service.

“As you know, Africa is family-oriented and people always want to go back to their homes. These social housing estates will provide them with shelter when they finish their service.”

The minister revealed that the federal government would deliver 1,550 units under the Renewed Hope Military Housing Project at Brains and Hammers before the end of 2026.

“Everything we are doing in this ministry will also consider people who serve this country, both in the military, in the police force, and other service units, including civil servants,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Ukandu thanked the ministry for its support for the Armed Forces, particularly for the houses donated for the take-off of the new army divisions in Taraba.

He said the army’s “Soldier First” concept prioritised the welfare of troops, including access to affordable housing through the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS).

“Everything revolves around the soldier. If they are well trained and their welfare is taken care of, we will succeed.

“The soldier first concept ensures that everything a soldier requires is provided first,” he said.

He explained that the PHDL usually acquires land from state governments and other sources at affordable rates and makes it available to officers and soldiers to build their retirement homes.

He also explained that the housing scheme was supported by long-term mortgage arrangements to make home ownership easier for personnel.

“Our job is to acquire land from state governments and other sources at affordable rates, and make it available to officers and soldiers to build their retirement homes, supported by long-term mortgage arrangements,” he said.

Mr Ukandu appealed to the ministry to support the Renewed Hope Military Housing Project for the benefit of personnel.

Meanwhile, the ministry’s director of public building and housing development, Pemi Temitope, said the ministry would continue to collaborate with the military to improve the welfare of personnel.

He said the collaboration was in line with the ministry’s mandate to provide quality, safe and affordable housing for Nigerians. 

(NAN)