Policemen tackle IG over new housing estate

The men and officers of the Nigeria Police have disagreed with the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Muhammed Abubakar, over the cost of acquiring a single unit of the newly inaugurated Goodluck Jonathan Police Housing Estate in Lagos.
The estate, named after the President of the federation, is located in the Idimu area. To acquire just one out of the 200 units of the three-bedroom apartments, an intending buyer is expected to part with N8m.

After the estate was officially opened on Friday, some policemen made efforts to register their displeasure over the development on Facebook. Hinging their protest on the cost of purchasing the apartment, which they describe as exorbitant, they argued that many policemen from the rank of inspector to constable might not benefit from the housing scheme, after all.

The policemen, who registered their displeasure on the official Facebook page of the Nigeria Police on Sunday and Monday, noted that only those on special postings, such as those on peace-keeping missions outside the country and senior officers from the rank of superintendent upward, could afford the housing scheme.

Other policemen commented on the subject, saying since many of them would never afford to own such 'expensive' apartments in the estate, the Federal Government should embark on the building of an alternative and decent police barracks that would  accommodate the junior and middle level officers.

One Umar Mohammed, seen in police uniform on his Facebook wall, insisted that the cost of one housing unit should not have been more than N3m, if the Federal Government was genuinely interested in the welfare  of the rank and file of the police.

"The building is not for the rank and file, because it is too costly, I hope the Inspector-General of Police provides us housing units that cost N3m,'' he said.

Also, Canice Umoru, who claimed to be attached to the Special Intelligence Bureau of the Nigeria Police, noted that the total welfare package, including wages, salaries, and retirement benefits, of an average policeman did not add up to the N8m meant for the scheme.

"IG, we thought you are the saviour! Is it the rank and file, whose entire serving salaries and retirement benefits are not up to N8m, that you are expecting to buy a house unit at N8m? Or is it with their blood that you want them to pay?" he queried.

Another policeman attached to the Mobile Police Force, Yusuf Yahuza, wondered why deductions should be made from the salaries of those who are interested in the scheme.

 "After M. D. Abubakar had decided to cut N5,000 from our July-December salaries, where is our cooperative money, the money they are deducting every month? That's what they are supposed to use, not from our salaries again," he said.

One Awolade Taiwo lamented, "Just break this down and explain to us properly. You should stop this deceit. We need a good welfare package. Besides, how much salaries do we get paid? It (housing scheme) is meant for the officers, not rank and file that are collecting peanuts. If we have a good salary we will build a one-storey building with this N8m. Instead of you giving it to us like lottery, pay us good salaries. We have suffered so much on this job. Pay us good salaries."

Friends and associates of policemen have also voiced their concern over the housing scheme and other matters affecting the police on Facebook.

"This is not what we are craving for as welfare package. Those at the top should do something about salaries of our police personnel and stop deceiving the public. Can any policing equipment operate itself without the user's good mindset?" one Shedrack Enabor said.

But the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters has reacted to the complaints of its men and officers on the social network, saying the scheme comes with a lot of "benefits" for those who signify interest in its acquisition.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the police authorities said the scheme, which was put together via the Nigeria Police Cooperative Society Limited Mortgage arrangement is for the "benefits of all officers and men." According to the statement, policemen can access the National Housing Fund via the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, and get a "housing loan of up to 90 per cent of the cost of the house.''

"Interest on loans remains fixed throughout the life of the mortgage at six per cent per annum, with a  long period of repayment of up to 30 years and contributions can serve as additional old age security.

"Up to N15m can be borrowed and refunds are with two per cent interest on retirement. Loan repayment is about the same as a typical monthly rent and every contributor has a lifetime registration number; a passbook for personal recording of contributions; and an account statement," the statement said.