By Nawani Aboki PhD
Mr Adokpa Mamman is a civil servant with some years to retire from the civil service. His greatest challenge had been his inability to save to beginning the building of a moderate house to cater for his young family.
Mamman’s story reflects the struggles faced by many civil servants when it comes to housing. The rising cost of building and rents can indeed create a bleak future for those trying to secure a home for their families.
There is no doubt that he has been contributing to the National Housing Fund administered by the Federal Mortgage Bank.
He even tried to secure a loan from the bank to buy a parcel of land to start building a house but bureaucracy in the system wouldn’t allow adequate fund to start the building.
He currently lives in the state government owned Nasara Housing Estate and pays a monthly stipend to the state government. The years were passing by and the future looked bleak. “I don’t know what to do as the years are rushing by. Where do I go to now? How long will I save to build one? The cost of building a house is skyrocketing. The rents are also very high” Adokpa Mamman was almost giving up when the Government of Engr Sule muted the idea of selling the quarters in the Nasara Housing Estate along side other Estates to civil servants. He thanked God and prayed for favour and for the governor to keep his promise. However, the actions taken by the Government of Engr Sule demonstrate a commitment to addressing this issue.
After several months of discussions with the Labour Union and other stakeholders, Governor Sule eventually approved the sales to civil servants and who are occupants of the houses at a affordable cost and a gradual payment method to the joy of the occupants. Adokpa Mamman was one of the ecstatic civil servants who benefited from the allocation, as his future and that of his family is guaranteed.
This gesture was a fulfillment of Governor Sule’s pledge to creating an enabling environment for civil servants in the state to provide mass housing for civil servants. This was one promise fulfilled amongst others by Governor Sule- the promise keeper
In a ceremony presided by the promise keeper, the Governor presented allocation letters to the beneficiaries of the owner occupier housing scheme. The allocation included 312 housing units comprising one ,two and three bedrooms located in old Kasuwar tomato, NADP quarters, Abdullahi Adamu estate and Nasara Estate on Makurdi road.
o Beneficiaries like Adokpa Mamman are enjoying a renewed spirit at work. They know they are safe. According to Adokpa Mamman ‘’What else can I say other than to work harder. Thank you Governor Sule for keeping your promise and on behalf of the beneficiaries we will keep our promise to work harder.” Adokpa Mamman’s family can now look forward to stability and security in their new home.
Governor Sule’s actions exemplify leadership and compassion, turning promises into reality. Adokpa Mamman’s story serves as a reminder that dedicated efforts can transform lives and provide much-needed housing for civil servants.
On behalf of all good people of Nasarawa state, I join to say keep fulfilling the promises, The Promise Keeper.
Nawani Aboki PhD
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Abdullahi Sule.