The Convener of Youth Arise Movement (YAM), Convener, Youth Arise Movement, Comrade Ademola Babatunde Abidemi has called on the Minister for Housing and Urban Development not to sell the 753 duplexes linked to the former Central Bank Governor (CBN).
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday handed over a 753 duplex housing estate that was linked to the erstwhile Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, to the Minister for Housing and Urban Development.
It would be recalled that the Commission seized the said property from the Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria for allegedly being proceeds of crime. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is statutorily empowered by the law to confiscate and seize any property linked to financial crimes.
At a brief handing over ceremony held at the Federal Ministry of Housing headquarters at Mabushi, Abuja, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede presented the seized property to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Ahmed Dangiwa.
The Minister praised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its sustained commitment to asset recovery and anti-corruption. The Minister further announced that the Ministry will undertake a joint familiarization tour to assess the condition of the estate.
The Minister also stated that the Ministry will undertake thorough integrity and structural assessment of all the 753 duplexes in the estate and other associated infrastructure to confirm their safety and suitability for habitation.
In addition to the above, the Minister stated the readiness of Ministry to offer the units for sale to the general public through a transparent process, including nationwide advertisement and also the usage of the Renewed Hope portal, where interested individuals can submit their expression of interest form.
Comrade Abidemi, however, said while the intention to conduct a thorough assessment of the structures to appreciate their suitability is laudable, he is strongly of the opinion that the proposed sale of the 753 duplexes is not the right way to go.
He said, “It is my respectful opinion that rather than selling the duplexes, the Government should allocate the duplexes to the brave men in the armed forces. There is no gainsaying the fact that a lot of the men and women in the armed forces have experienced accommodation shortage, which has been a huge challenge over the years.
“This will go a long way to alleviate the sufferings of our men and women in the armed forces, particularly the Army, Navy and Air Force. It will also boost the morale and drive of the men and women who daily put their lives on the line for the unity and survival of this country. Allocating the said duplexes to the armed forces will convince everyone that this Government is genuinely committed to the welfare of the armed forces and not mere political statements.”
According to him, that singular gesture by the government will enhance the economic well-being of “our courageous and committed men and women of the armed forces. The structure will provide shelter and security for the families of the men and women securing the nation.”
He further added that on hindsight, he was apprehensive about “the touted transparency and thoroughness in the process of the sale of the seized duplexes and even more doubtful about the proceeds from the sale.”
“The cause for my apprehension is understandable given the obvious fraud, bribery, corruption, and exploitation that have occasioned similar exercises in the past involving government officials. I can assure you that it is just a matter of time before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will again have to launch an investigation into the sale of the seized property. Another venture into a cesspool, an endless web of corruption.”
“In line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the seized property will best serve the interests of our armed forces. It will be the first time in the history of this country that a civilian President has achieved such a feat. The overall objective is capacity building, proactively strengthening our security architecture, and enhancing efficiency.
On the flipside, Comrade Abidemi urged the Minister for Housing and Urban Development to remain focused and redouble his efforts to provide affordable housing for the citizens of this country.
“Only recently, the Minister for the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, secured the Federal Executive Council’s approval to construct houses for justices of appellate courts in Abuja to ease their accommodation problems. The Minister for Housing and Urban Development should take note and provide affordable housing for the citizens of this country.
He said that the government has no business venturing into the sale of the seized property, which will eventually find its way into the hands of corrupt government officials.
“The government can avoid this impending monumental embezzlement and embarrassment by simply allocating the seized property to the men and women of the armed forces at a subsidized rate that will be deducted from their salaries over an extended period,” he concluded.
