...As Oyetunde Ojo visits the Chief of Naval Staff.

The Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla has stated the readiness of the Nigeria Navy to collaborate with Federal Housing Authority in providing decry and affordable houses for the officers and Ratings of the Nigeria Navy.

The revelation was made Tuesday, 30th July 2024, when the Managing Director and Chief Executive, Hon Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo paid him a visit.

The FHA CEO leading a delegation of his management, had earlier in his address informed the CNS that the reason for the visit was to seek for a way to work with the Nigeria Navy in providing houses for officers and Rating of the force. The MD who recounted some of the successful collaborative effort between FHA and the Nigeria Navy in the past, noted that the Authority is positioned better now to do more for the force. Hon Ojo holds the view that that the officers and men of the force would give their best in service to father land when they are sure of having decent homes during active service and post service years.

The MD commended the Navy Chief for all the strides he has taken his appointment in providing houses for men of the force. He was however of the opinion that force needs to focus more on the good job of protecting the country's internal and territorial waterways rather than be distracted with building of houses.

In his words, " you can’t be fighting and building houses at the same time. That is why we are here".

Hon Ojo informed the CNS that the Authority in the past four months has acquired choice land in 27 states and in most cases free of charge with compensations to be paid by the state governments. This he said has made FHA to think seriously about affordable and decent houses.

To achieve this, Hon Ojo stated that the Authority has introduced the semi-finished model in Housing delivery where the exterior would be done, with such sensitive fittings like electrical fittings provided, leaving the allottees to do the other finishing to their capability and individual tastes.

FHA the MD noted, has also adopted the Diaspora housing initiative where the diasporas and those with the capacity within would access houses in neighbourhoods that can compare to anywhere in the world. The he said would save the diasporas the anguish of being duped when they sent money back home for houses to be built for them.

The FHA Mortgage Bank the MD informed the CNS has the capacity to arrange for mortgages for the Naval personnel.

The Chief of Naval Staff in his response appreciated the fact that housing deficit which is one of the essential needs of man is indeed a major challenge in the country, which can only be tackled by building more houses.

The CNS noted that housing his personnel is a major priority to him because the objectives of the force can’t be achieved if his men are not adequately catered for.

He noted that the insecurity in the country has made the Nigeria Navy to increase its personnel and consequently the housing needs of the force, since they must be catered for and given decent houses.

According to him, " insecurity has made the Nigeria Navy to re double its personnel. These nos. of people must be adequately catered for. We can’t achieve our objectives if we are not I t able to cater for them. We believe we can rely on FHA to achieve our objectives ".

Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla declared that the Nigeria Navy is ready and willing for partnership with FHA by keying into its project. He noted that the Navy's housing demand is unlimited.

He called for an immediate formation of a team by the two agencies that would identify areas that are close to the Navy's catchment areas, where the Authority has projects or intend starting some.

"Our post housing scheme efforts would be better if we key into FHA the CNS opined.

In his contribution, the MD of Navy Holdings Ltd Rear Admiral HUF Kaoje expressed happiness over the visit of FHA and the proposed partnership with the Nigeria Navy. He noted they have long awaited this collaboration.