Yobe summons official over workers’ housing subsidy

PIQUED by the non-implementation of the state’s housing policy for workers, Yobe State government has summoned the Commissioner for Housing, Sidi Yakubu Karasuwa, for an explanation.  The scheme is being promoted by the state under the Yobe State Owner Occupier Housing Scheme (YOOHS), which allows 50 percent rebate for workers.
Governor Ibrahim Gaidam said the commissioner has  to explain  why the over 16,000 civil servants are yet to enjoy the 50 per cent subsidy on the sale of over 2, 000 housing units to them.

The governor, had since last year approved the sale of the houses while marking his second year anniversary in office.
Gaidam, while commissioning 10 housing units built by the Gujba council and three other water supplies and health facilities to improve the living conditions of the people, expressed dismay over the dangling housing scheme and therefore summoned the commissioner 

He said: “As the state government accords top most priority to the provision of shelter in ensuring the welfare of civil servants improve on their productivities, the non-implementation of the housing policy I approved last year for all workers, under the owner-occupier housing scheme, has amounted to sabotage, and may lead to disciplinary action against the commissioner of housing and other principal officers in the state’s housing sector.”
He said the commissioning of the housing units in the council area, has complemented and in conformity with the state government’s housing policy.
The governor directed the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to work out the modalities of selling the houses to council workers at half price, like their counterparts in the state civil service on an owner-occupier housing policy.

He reiterated that all the houses built in 2006 are to be sold to workers at 50 percent subsidy.
While thanking the governor for extending the housing policy to council workers, Gujba Council Chairman, Suleiman Kachalla disclosed that the council expends N500, 000 monthly on the maintenance of security operatives to protect people’s lives and property.

He therefore, appealed to the state government to construct a wall fence for the housing units so that lives and property at the estates could be protected.