Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Henry Owen
The Bayelsa State Government has raised concerns about the money collected from civil servants for housing projects that has not been used. The government is now considering withdrawing its workers from the National Housing Scheme if the scheme is not made effective and beneficial for those enrolled.
Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo made this warning during a meeting with the leadership of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) at Government House in Yenagoa. He criticized the fact that deductions are being made from civil servants’ salaries every month for housing, yet no houses have been built for them to show for it.
He described this situation as very troubling and said the government is thinking about pulling out its employees from the scheme if it doesn’t start delivering on its promises soon. He pointed out that billions of naira have been collected into the scheme, but no houses have been constructed, which he called economically unreasonable.
The Deputy Governor urged the labor unions, including ASCSN, to take action and push for answers. He also instructed the Commissioner for Labour, Odoko Saturday, to work with federal agencies and scheme operators to find out what happened to the housing funds deducted from workers’ salaries, which are believed to total billions of naira.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo emphasized that the government is worried because civil servants are contributing to the scheme but are not benefiting from it. He warned that if the scheme does not improve, the government might withdraw workers from it altogether.
In addition, he advised labor unions to think beyond monthly deductions and consider making investments that can generate profit and strengthen their financial stability. He also assured that the government will support the ongoing construction of the ASCSN Secretariat building along Bayelsa Palm Road, within available resources.
The ASCSN Chairman, Comrade Julius Laye, called on the government to investigate what has happened to the funds collected since 2007, noting that despite workers’ contributions, no houses have been built. He also invited the Deputy Governor to speak at a future ASCSN seminar and appealed for government help to complete the Secretariat project.
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