SUNTV GLOBAL CHANNEL REPORT
A housing estate project initiated for personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Ondo State has remained uncompleted five years after it was awarded, leaving many officers frustrated and without the promised welfare support.
The scheme, designed to provide 97 housing units for rank-and-file officers, has stalled primarily due to inadequate funding, according to multiple sources familiar with the project.
Funding Shortfall From the Start
The contract, awarded in June 2020 at a cost of ₦498 million, was expected to be financed through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria. However, only ₦120 million was reportedly released that same year.
Sources disclosed that the limited funds were used to begin construction of about 27 three-bedroom bungalows, but the buildings were left unfinished as rising inflation quickly exhausted the allocation.
Officials reportedly assured contractors that more funds would follow, but no additional disbursement came, forcing work to stop entirely.
Five Years Later — Still No Progress
It was not until August 2025 — after sustained complaints from personnel — that senior NSCDC officers and mortgage bank officials inspected the abandoned site.
During the visit, they reportedly discovered that inflation and years of neglect had drastically increased the cost of completing the project. Estimates indicated that about ₦420 million would now be required just to finish roughly 28 housing units — far fewer than the original 97 planned.
Despite promises made during the inspection to urgently release funds, construction remains stalled months later, with no new payments made.
Welfare Concerns Deepen
The abandoned housing project is only one of several welfare issues troubling NSCDC personnel.
Multiple officers who spoke anonymously alleged persistent problems including delayed salaries, unpaid allowances, and inconsistent payment patterns.
Some claimed that salaries are sometimes paid selectively, leaving certain officers unpaid for months. Others pointed to irregularities across banks, saying payments are often staggered rather than released simultaneously.
According to the sources, the ongoing welfare challenges have significantly affected morale within the paramilitary agency.
Controversy Over Priority Spending
The stalled project has drawn further criticism following reports that in 2025, about ₦238 million was spent on constructing an official residence for a senior NSCDC officer — a development many personnel view as a stark contrast to their own housing struggles.
As of now, officers say they are still waiting for authorities to fulfill long-standing promises to complete the estate and improve their welfare conditions.
