The Niger state government is to rake at least N1.1 billion from the planned sale of the legislative and commissioners quarters in the state capital, Minna, whose bidding and technical evaluation has commenced.
The state Commissioner for Lands and Housing Dr Peter Salle Sarki, stated yesterday while addressing journalists after the state executive council meeting that the proceeds will be ploughed into the development of the new 3-arms zone in line with the provisions of the 2012 appropriation law.
He said that the decision to sell 29 units of the Commissioners quarters and 28 units of the legislative quarters was in line with the monetisation policy which only mandated quarters for only the governor of the state, the deputy governor, the Speaker , the chief Judge and the Grand Khadi, while other government officials collect their money.
Dr Sarki maintained that the policy will be implemented to the letter in the interest of the state and the people as the legislatures and the commissioners have already paid been their money for accommodation.
The Commissioner explained that the quarters lacked maintenance and were poorly used by their occupants forming one of the reasons why government has decided to sell the houses.
According to him, this would not be the first time government properties were being sold in the state as the state has a history of the sale of government buildings starting from 1983 during which period 1595 houses were sold.
He pointed out that the present administration in the state should be applauded for being one regime that has delivered over 1500 units of houses to the people between 2007 and now.