FMB Approves N1.9bn For Low Cost Houses In Rivers

The Federal Mortgage Bank has so far approved a total sum of 1.9 billion Naira for the construction of low cost houses in Rivers State.
Rivers State Head of Service, Mrs. Esther Anucha announced this Tuesday when the State Executives of the Nigeria Civil Service Union paid her a courtesy visit in her office in Port Harcourt.
Mrs. Anucha who was reacting to recent insinuations by the State Joint Negotiating Council that Civil Servants in Rivers State have not benefited from the National Housing Fund Scheme, said out of the approved amount, 700 million Naira was accessed to construct over 270 housing units at the Iriebe Housing Estate, of which 200 civil servants were allocated houses on owner occupier basis.
She said the second phase of the Iriebe Housing Estate would soon commence, pointing out that it was by virtue of the fact that Rivers State Civil Servants are contributors to the National Housing Fund that made it possible for the State government to access the funds.
The Head of Service said, in addition to accessing the funds for the construction of low cost housing estates, civil servants are also entitled to loans from the funds, disclosing that although the requirements are not easy to fulfill, three batches of 20 loan beneficiaries per batch, were recently approved for some Rivers State indigenes, including Civil servants to enable them build houses of their own.
She advised labour unions in the State to always feed civil servants with correct facts and figures on sensitive issues of this nature, rather than disseminating wrong information capable of inciting civil servants to take action that would cause a breach of the peace.
On the issue of non-payment of salaries of some civil servants in the ­payment system, Mrs. Anucha requested the Union to submit a comprehensive list of all those affected, the name of the banks where their accounts are domiciled and their account numbers to her office for immediate action.
The HOS used the forum to announce that a proposal would l be submitted to the State government for the construction of a Rivers State Civil Service Training Institute to enable more civil servants benefit from the ongoing manpower development programmes in the civil service.
She congratulated the new State Executive of the Nigeria Civil Service Union on their election, urging them to live above board and endeavour to use dialogue in addressing issues affecting Civil Servants, instead of confrontation.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the State chapter of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Comrade Opuoyibo Lily-West expressed delight at the leadership traits exhibited by the Head of Service, which has again proved that women are indeed endowed with excellent leadership qualities.
He solicited the support of the Head of Service in the organization of a sensitization workshop to enlighten Civil Servants on the new Public Service Rules, and disclosed that the Union has completed arrangements with a private business outfit to offer Computer Laptops to Civil Servants at reduced rates and pay on instalmental basis.

L-R: Mr Bolaji Ogunseye, Guest Speaker, Rev B.F.Wabara, out-going Rivers/Bayelsa state branch chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Ogbonna Nwuke, Rivers State Commissioner of Commerce and Industry at the 25th AGM of MAN held at Delta Hotels, Port Harcourt.