By Ronke Ariyo

The Controller General, Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Haliru Nababa, says the service has commenced the construction of housing estates for its staff members across the country.

Nababa said this at the inauguration of the construction work of the NCoS housing estate at Kuje in Abuja on Tuesday.

The controller general said that the housing project was a product of the Correctional Cooperative Society (COCOS), meant to provide succour to the personnel.

According to him, the estate has 160 plots distributed to interested staff members, whose take-home pay can accommodate the required monthly deduction.

Nababa described as inspiring, the quantum of achievements recorded by the cooperative, including financial support to serving and retired personnel, as well families of deceased members.

He said that COCOS had become a reference point to many cooperative societies in the country and a pride to the service.

“While delivering my inaugural address to command officers on assumption of duty, I left no one in doubt that the welfare of staff will remain cardinal under my watch.

“This and many more welfare packages will be sustained and improved upon in our efforts at raising the morale of personnel, as they render selfless public service.

“May I inform you that this housing project will be replicated across all state commands to give the reform the required spread,” he said.

Nababa emphasised that shelter remained a basic component of human needs and required high level commitment and passion to acquire.

He added that the effort of the cooperative to bridge the housing deficit across the ranks of the NCoS, was commendable.

”A situation where an officer serves and retires without a decent accommodation is to say the least, worrisome.

“It is my firm belief that this housing scheme will better the fortunes of officers and men of the Service, thereby motivating them for excellent service-delivery.

“Hence, I expect all staff members to key into this scheme, as much as the opportunity permits.

“As a Service, we will continue to support COCOS to evolve better welfare packages and business ventures that will add significant value to the cooperative and all the subscribers,” he said.

The CG reiterated his commitment to providing the necessary leadership required to drive the Service to more enviable heights.

Also speaking, the General Manager, COCOS, Mrs Lydia Abraham, said that the housing project was in line with the mandate of the cooperative, which included enhancing staff welfare and better retirement savings plan.

Abraham said that the project was meant to ensure housing security for correctional service officers and their families.

“It is in pursuance of this vision we are here today. Assuredly, COCOS is focused on continually improving staff welfare and we will not relent,” she said. (NAN).