At a time many Nigerians especially civil servants can hardly boast of living in decent houses, the expansive Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) quarters along Agba Dam Pipeline Road in Ilorin, Kwara State is abandoned for years. Daily Trust reports

Incontrovertibly, the CBN Ilorin housing estate could be described as one the best housing estates in the country in terms of structure and facilities.

Similarly, the architectural design of the buildings makes the property attractive to individuals and real estate experts.

Besides, it is located close to Ilorin Government Reservation Area (GRA), Admiralty Villa and Polo Club.

Many people who drive to the area on daily basis or even first timers would be astonished at the state of the edifice lying fallow amidst inadequate housing needs in the country.

The aforesaid quarters have been in a terrible state for the past five years and have not been conducive for people to live in. Though the flats and bungalows stand tall, the quarters are surrounded by grass, part of which used as dump sites as it has been left unoccupied for years.

While most housing estates like that of CBN had been sold out to interested civil servants through the government's housing policy which stipulates the sale of official quarters nationwide, those of CBN Ilorin quarters have been shrouded in a seemingly unending controversy.

The monetization policy stipulates that the quarters should be put up for sale with prices for each of the flats depending on available facilities.

However, it was gathered that many staff members of the Ilorin CBN protested against the price tag which they described as outrageous prompting many of them to vacate the buildings before deadline.

"The belief among staff is that the price should have been reduced drastically since we are not in Abuja, Kano, Lagos or Port Harcourt", a source familiar with the controversy told our correspondent.

During the bidding exercise held years ago, it was gathered that members of staff reluctantly participated in the exercise while others could not participate in the process as the deadline has elapsed.

To encourage wider participation for the sale of the flats, it was thrown open to the general public. The feedback from the bidding exercise was described as discouraging as only a tiny fragment of the entire CBN workforce in the state participated.

Few months later, the second bidding was announced but this time, the price was reduced to encourage a wider participation from staff. Participation in the second bidding exercise was a bit encouraging compared to the former, consequent upon which the payments of those who won were acknowledged.

Presently, many blocks of flats are still lying fallow even as there is no indication of any imminent bidding exercise thereby evoking concerns among residents of the area who describe the quarters as a threat to the community as it could be used as criminal hideout.

Commenting on the development, the Controller of CBN, Kwara State Branch, Mr Monday Olotewo said the situation is not within the purview of the branch, noting that only the CBN headquarters has a final say on the matter.

Olotewo explained that the CBN staff were occupying the quarters before the introduction of the monetization policy by the Federal Government.

He explained that the workers were not satisfied with the policy hence their reason for vacating the buildings.

The controller stated that earlier, when the bidding was done some years back, interested staff and applicants from the public who were interested in the buildings were given opportunity to bid but unfortunately the arrangement was later quashed.

He however revealed that at the second bidding, some of the buildings were purchased by a few staff and outsiders, adding that those purchased are now being renovated.

The controller revealed that the CBN management would soon decide whether to give out the left over buildings to its staff or sell to outsiders.

Effort to hear from CBN headquarters Abuja was unsuccessful. CBN Corporate Communications Manager, Mr Ugo Okoroafor in a phone call said he was on leave.