NAN-H-52
NHF
By Uche Bibilari and Ella Anokam
Abuja, June 12, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), says it plans to inaugurate a task force to harmonise issues bothering the National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme in the Federal Capital Territory.
Mrs Felicia Aningo, the Coordinator of the bank in FCT, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday that the six Area Councils pulled out of the scheme in 2000.
Aningo said they pulled out following agitation by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the FCT.
“The issue of NLC has been resolved; we want to set up task force in all the six area councils to harmonise payments and pay point of workers for them to come back to the scheme.
“Most of the payments in the past years were not made with schedules.
“We want to find out who was in a particular council as at the point those payments were made to enable us print individual statement,’’ she said.
According to the coordinator, the bank has begun sensitisation programme, across the six area councils, on the importance of the housing scheme.
She said that Bwari, Abaji and Abuja Municipal Area Councils have returned to the scheme, just like many states and local governments that earlier pulled out, have returned.
“ Gwagwalada, Kuje and Bwari area councils are yet to return,’’ she said.
Aningo said that the bank was focused on resolving all issues surrounding the scheme, so that contributors could access N1 million as Home Renovation Loan (HRL).
NAN reports that the HRL is a scheme that affords NHF contributors the opportunity to access mortgage loans of N1 million for the renovation or improvement of their existing homes.
“You should not deprive yourselves of what you stand to gain from the scheme.
“The interest is six per cent and the loan will be spread out to ease repayment,’’ she said.
On refund, Aningo said there should be refund only when a contributor retires after 35 years in service or attains 60 years of age in line with the Federal Civil Service regulation.
She explained that for contributor, who dies before retirement, the next of kin could come for refund of what the principal had contributed.
She explained that the bank always entertain refund only after an officer retires and that the process takes “not more than one week after application is received’’.
She, however, noted that delay on refund could be from the office of the contributor.
She advised organisations to endeavour to remit staff contributions with accompanied schedule promptly to the bank for proper record.
“If an employer remit money of a staff and did not bring an accompanied schedule, which show the breakdown of payment, it will be difficult to trace the exact amount for an individual contributor.
NAN reports that FMBN introduced the HRL to enable more NHF contributors to access the fund to make their shelter habitable. (NAN)
UU/ELLA/AIB/AFA
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Felix Ajide