The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has concluded plans to commence the construction of 500 housing units in Abia State as part of efforts to provide affordable houses for the citizenry,
The Chairman, Board of Directors, FMBN, Chief Bisi Ogunjobi, who dropped the hint on Wednesday in Umuahia during the inauguration of the state’s permanent headquarters of the bank, noted with delight the robust relationship between the FMBN and Abia workers.
Ogunjobi, who was represented at the event by the South- East representative on the Board of Directors, Dr. Godwin Duru, said Abia civil servants’ contribution to the National Housing Fund had hit N1.46bn.
He also said that the bank was faithful in fulfilling its own part of the bargain as it had paid over N47.2m to retired contributors from the state.
Ogunjobi also said the FMBN had financed two estates to the tune of N1bn in the state while calling for continued collaboration between the state government, labour unions, and the bank to sustain the efforts being made through the NHF to promote home ownership in the country.
The Executive Director, Loans, FMBN, Mr. Bola Ogunsola, said the bank had proposed a scheme to encourage non-civil servants to assess funds from the bank and own their own houses, while appealing to state governments to provide cheap land for their people.
The Abia State Head of Service, Chief Godson Adiele, represented by Mrs. Uzoamaka Uche-Ikonne, lauded the management of the FMBN for its wisdom of building a permanent structure for its operations in the state.
He also commended the bank for its efforts in providing affordable houses for Abia workers and pledged the commitment of the workers to regularly contribute to the NHF.
Similarly, the state’s Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Chris Okoro, thanked the bank for showing genuine commitment to the housing needs of workers and pledged that they would always make their contributions to the housing fund.
