reps

Reps urge Nigerian govt to convert seized properties to office use

The House of Representatives has asked the federal government to convert all seized properties to official use.

This resolution followed a vote on a motion moved by Esosa Iyawe on Wednesday during plenary.

In his motion, Mr Iyawe said civil servants in states across the country do not have offices while the government has properties seized through permanent forfeiture.

โ€œIn a bid to reduce high expenditure on rent and office buildings in 2017, the Federal Government converted landed properties seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for office use by some Agencies of Government, thus saving the country about N180 billion.

โ€œConcerned that Government Agencies operating in States across the country are experiencing challenges in finding office accommodation due to difficulties in paying rent,โ€ he said.

Consequently, the House resolved to urge the Federal Government to renovate and convert permanently forfeited lands and buildings into offices for Federal Government Agencies operating from rented offices.