Transport
FMBN Disburses N782.6m To NHF Contributors
In continuation of its periodic disbursement of loans to the contributors of the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) in the last quarter of 2011, specifically within the months of November and December, disbursed a total of N782, 626, 700.00 to 119 beneficiaries who are contributors to the scheme.
The disbursement, according to the apex mortgage bank, was aimed at enthroning accountability and transparency in the operations of the NHF Scheme.
Stakeholders and finance experts however, say that FMBN needs to do more in the operations of the scheme, which it midwives, explaining that many Nigerians who desire and deserve to own their own homes do not know what to do to access the NHF loan.
“Beyond opening an account with an NHF accredited Primary Mortgage Institution (PMI) through which I would be contributing to the scheme, I don’t know any other thing about how to access this loan even as a contributor”, John Igbe told our correspondent.
Igbe, who claimed to be a contributor having opened an account with a PMI for that purpose in 2004, said he wanted the FMBN to take up the challenge of putting life into the operations of the PMIs and ensure that contributors have access to the NHF loans. He added that the bank needs to do a lot of sensitisation and create awareness through whichever means it deems fit so that people know what to do and how to do it.
Benneth Anekwe, also “a registered contributor” agrees stressing however, that the FMBN reform which seeks, among other things, to recapitalise it, is uncalled for, “because, if you ask me, I would tell you I don’t know what FMBN needs that fund for; I don’t know if it is going to disburse funds directly to the PMIs or the contributors. I really don’t know what purpose the FMBN recapitalisation will serve. I would rather the PMIs are strengthened and made viable so that they can advance loans to those who need loans”.
NHF Scheme established in 1992 was aimed at giving housing loans to contributors at an interest rate as low as six per cent and for up to 25-30-year repayment tenor, but the operations of the scheme make access to its loans very cumbersome.
Through the ongoing reform aimed at repositioning the scheme and making it more contributor – friendly, minimal success has been achieved with its increased contributor-base and ICT based operations. Part of the main problems of the scheme derived from the challenges faced by FMBN which supervises its operations, and according to Gimba Kumo, the bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, it is yet to realise its full potential. This perhaps, explains the huge gap in housing demand and supply that has left the country with over 16 million housing units deficit.
Transport
Immigration Steps Up Anti-Touting Vigilance
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Passports Command, Ikoyi, has increased its surveillance on touting in a bid to check extortion within its jurisdiction.
Speaking in an exclusive chat with The Tide in Lagos, last Friday, the Immigration Comptroller, Passports Office, Ikoyi, Lagos, Deputy Comptroller Liman A.I , said the negative impact of touting on the nation’s economy would not be allowed to continue under his watch.
He said ,”we are applying persuasion, dialogue and seeking the support of all well meaning stakeholders in this area to spread the anti-touting message and dissuade people from unlawful acts. However, we could apply coercive power as the need arises.
“With the selfless leadership shown by the Comptroller General, Alhaji Mohammed Babandede, we at the PCO, Ikoyi, Lagos, have decided to re-dedicate ourselves to duty and complement the efforts of the CGIS.
“We are prepared more than ever to wage the anti-miscreants war relentlessly.
Liman assured the general public of friendly environment for legitimate transaction in an effort to strengthen the national economy, warning deviants to shun touting and other related vices.
According to him, “the command has keyed into the various strategies including the use of ICT in gathering of intelligence, among others.
“The service believes that the fight against miscreants within its corridor cannot be undertaken by the service alone, hence our call on Nigerians to partner with us in ensuring that the passport seekers do not patronise touts to defraud them. Our resolve is unshaken and our commitment is total”.
On her part, the Public Relations Officer of the command, a Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI), Mrs Adetoun Shiyindemi, commended the Deputy Comptroller Liman, for his selfless service, pointing out that he has really given the officers and men of the command a sense of belonging.
“Since the Comptroller came in, it has been a servant-leader relationship here at Ikoyi PCO and we are all motivated to put in our best with what the CGIS has given us, you will see a new immigration service”, she assured.
By: NkpemenyieMcdominic, Lagos
Maritime
Union Urges NIMASA, RSG To Dredge PH/Bonny Jetty
The Bonny Maritime Transport Association (BMTA) has called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Rivers State Government to dredge the Port Harcourt/Bonny Jetty to enhance marine operations.
The union said the low shore of the river hampers its operations and grounds boats.
The Marine Safety Officer, BMTA, Comrade Kings Don, who made the call, said the low shore of the jetty was not helpful to marine operations.
According to him, drivers and passengers find it difficult to ply the route whenever the tide is low, thus wasting man hours.
“Sometimes, we push the boat to a level it would afloat due to low tide suffered in the jetty. We are appealing to NIMASA and the state government to assist and dredge the jetty for more efficiency”, he pleaded.
Don described the Port Harcourt/Bonny Jetty as the gateway to Bonny Island and other riverine communities, and called on NIMASA and the state government to intervene and make the marine sector viable in the area.
He said that the prompt dredging of the jetty would enhance water transportation in the state and improve its revenue generation.
He, however, commended the security agents, especially the Nigerian Navy and the marine police, for rescuing the waterways and creeks from all forms of criminality.
Comrade Don appealed to the security agents to engage in 24-hour patrol of the routes and other channels to save lives and property.
By: Chinedu Wosu
Maritime
Boat Mishaps: Ship Owner Blames Absence Of Safety Regulations
A renowned ship owner in the country, Alhaji Aminu Umar, has decried lack of standardisation and enforcement of safety measures on the nation’s inland waterways by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
He also blamed lack of will to enforce regulations, safety, standard and regulations on overloading, night voyage, rickety and old craft as causes of mishap on the inland waterways.
Alhaji Umar, who is a former president, Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), said in Minna, Niger State, recently that enforcement of safety and standard on the nation’s inland waterways was weak.
Reacting to incessant boat mishaps in the country, Umar said, “there is no standard applied on movement of people, as all kinds of boat are being used. It is important that we standardise, because lack of safety and standard will increase accident.
“I think, the task of NIWA is to standardise conditions and procedures on the nation’s waterways”.
He also called for the regulation of movement of badges and passenger boats across the port environment.
“It’s a huge risk allowing badges moving containers around the port area side by side with boats carrying passengers.
“Moving people and containers at the same time is a huge risk, and a safety concern.
“NIWA and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) should see to this and tackle the menace”, he said.
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