Dr Olugbenga Owoeye, Medical Director, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, has reiterated his commitment and concern toward improving the welfare of staff for effective service delivery.
Owoeye made this known in Lagos on Wednesday, during an interactive session with the Senior Staff Association of University Teaching Hospital (SSAUTHRIAI) on home ownership.
According to him, his agenda as the medical director of the hospital is ‘people, process and policy’.
“When we talk of people, we mean our staff, their welfare, well-being and sustainability.
“And as part of this effort, what we are putting in place is making sure that all our staff are comfortable.
“This is in terms of accommodation, work tools, office space and environment, which are all part of people’s welfare,” he said.
Owoeye noted that to achieve the target, staff of the hospital had been advised to key into the Federal Government staff housing scheme.
Owoeye said that SSAUTHRIAI had already keyed into the scheme, nothing that the union had invited and engaged the Federal Government Housing Loan Board (FGSHLB), PENCOM and estates developers on the matter.
He also said that the experts had explained further to members of staff on the available opportunities in the scheme once they join it
According to him, this is to ensure that they become home owners by the end of their service.
Also speaking, Ibrahim Yakasai, Deputy Director, FGSHLB, said that the board is mandated to facilitate housing loans for all federal public servants.
Yakasai said that federal public servants could access the loan anywhere in the country and also decide wherever they want to build or purchase a house in Nigeria.
He said that in the past, few Nigerians knew little about the Board, but gained popularity with the advent of internet as people could see FGSHLP activities and functions online.
Also, Mr Omoniyi Olalekan, Chairman, Senior Staff Association, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, called for upward review of the 25 per cent of Retirement Savings Account (RSA) earmarked by PENCOM for contributors to use for residential purpose.
“We’ve made it known to the government since its circular on this that how much will 25 per cent make out of our own pension?
“There is need for PENCOM to sit down and probably increase the RSA to like 50 per cent.”
According to him, increasing the earmarked amount to 50 per cent will be better than maintaining the 25 per cent.
Also, Mrs Temitope Shonde of BROOKS Asset and Resources Ltd., who said that the housing scheme was a good investment for civil servants, also encouraged the staff to key into the scheme.
Shonde said that there were different apartments in different locations across Lagos for civil servants.
