Nigerian Army commissions 40 affordable homes for soldiers in Benin City
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The Nigerian Army has commissioned 40 housing units for personnel in Benin City, Edo State, under its Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers scheme, with five per cent of the units reserved for soldiers severely injured in the line of duty.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Friday commissioned 40 affordable housing units for Nigerian Army personnel in Benin City, Edo State, under the Army's Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) scheme.
The estate comprises 20 two-bedroom and 20 three-bedroom semi-detached flats, supported by a 14,000-litre elevated water tank, 450 metres of paved access roads, solar-powered streetlights, a perimeter fence and a 300KVA transformer, according to a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
Shaibu said providing affordable accommodation for soldiers and their families remained a key component of his "Soldier-First" command philosophy, adding that the Army had a responsibility to cater for personnel beyond their years of active service. He said soldiers who dedicate their productive years to defending the country deserve a secure and comfortable future after retirement.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post-Service Housing Development Limited, Major General KO Ukandu, described AHOOAS as a major pillar of the Army's welfare intervention, designed to give soldiers the chance to own decent and affordable homes while still in service. He acknowledged the contributions of joint venture partners, contractors and consultants to the Benin project and credited his predecessor, Major General IA Allison, for progress on the scheme.
A notable feature of the scheme is the reservation of five per cent of units for soldiers who sustained severe injuries in the line of duty, a provision intended to ensure wounded personnel are not neglected after leaving active service.
The Benin delivery is part of a nationwide rollout. Previous phases include 400 housing units in Idu, Abuja, 60 units in Akobo, Ibadan, and 80 units in Jos, Plateau State, while construction of another 20 units is ongoing in Bauchi State. The Army said 120 three-bedroom units under Phase Two of the Idu project have reached 95 per cent completion, with work also progressing on Phase Three.