By Damilola Aina
Jedo Investment Limited has launched a special housing package for members of the Nigerian 10th National Assembly.
Speaking at the product launch at the just concluded Africa International Housing Show, the Chief Executive officer of the firm, Aliyu Wamakko, said the project was designed to cater to the housing needs of over 70 per cent of first-time lawmakers, to ease their legislative duties.
Recall that the Federal Government through the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission earmarked a total of N5.87bn annually as housing allowances for members of the 10th National Assembly.
With the annual allocation of N5.87bn, in four years the Federal Government would spend N23.48bn on the lawmakers’ accommodation.
According to the firm, the project constitutes a four-bedroom terrace apartment with a rooftop, a four-bedroom semi-detached duplex and two semi-detached duplexes.
“Over 70 per cent of the members of the 10th National Assembly are new to the capital city, which implies that they need a place to rest their heads and that is why we are offering these special housing packages for them and their legislative aides,” said Wamakko, who is also the President of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria.
He added, “They are looking for homes to stay and that is the reason we made it very pleasurable for them to make payment.
“We should understand that even if they are National Assembly members, they also need something that is affordable, flexible, and beautiful. That is the reason we put all these together for their interest so that they could enjoy their stay in Abuja.”
Speaking also, the convener of the AIHS, Festus Adebayo, at the unveiling, reminded legislators of their duties to make laws that would enhance the provision of affordable housing for Nigerians.
“We call on the National Assembly to put housing, especially affordable housing, as a priority of this government. The palliative should not be N8,000 but must be provided through affordable housing, which indirectly would create enough jobs and have a multiplier effect on the economy of the nation.
Adebayo also called on REDAN to see how they could work with the National Assembly to regulate the practice of real estate business in the country.
Source: The Punch
