The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr. Olukayode Egbetokun, has unveiled plans to establish a N100 billion Police Housing Fund aimed at addressing the housing needs of personnel within the force.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day Police Housing Summit in Abuja, themed “Renewed Hope for Police Housing in Nigeria,” Egbetokun emphasized the importance of brainstorming to explore the potential establishment of the housing fund.
He highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that the current housing capacity meets only about 10 per cent of the needs of the Nigerian Police Force’s more than 400,000 personnel. Egbetokun underscored the necessity of enhancing officers’ welfare through the provision of suitable housing, recognizing it as a cornerstone for effective service delivery.
The I-G acknowledged the significant housing shortage within the force and the inadequacy of existing barracks accommodations to meet modern policing demands. To address these shortcomings, past initiatives such as the Nigerian Police Force Property Development and Construction Company Ltd. were launched. However, their impact has been minimal, necessitating a strategic reassessment and revamp of the execution framework.
The Nigerian Police Housing Summit, according to Egbetokun, aims to articulate a vision of “effective and efficient” housing as an essential welfare tool for police personnel. It serves as a dynamic platform to foster collaboration among key stakeholders in the housing sector, with the goal of achieving the Nigeria Police housing vision.
Moreover, the summit seeks to propose actionable strategies for the rapid delivery of affordable housing and facilitate the necessary financing for sustainable development and demand for affordable housing. This initiative reflects a concerted effort to provide affordable housing solutions for personnel within the Nigerian Police Force.
In his remarks, Mr. Dan-Mallan Mohammed, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Police Force Property Development and Construction Company, highlighted the summit’s objective of creating an environment for stakeholders to brainstorm and focus on delivering affordable housing for police personnel.