The House of Representatives has begun investigation into alleged non-remittance to the National Housing Fund (NHF). The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, made this known while inaugurating the ad hoc committee of the House on ‘Investigation of Non-Remittance of Contributions to the National Housing Fund and Utilisation of the Fund from 2011 to Date’ chaired by Dachung Bagos.

Represented by his deputy, Benjamin Kalu, the Speaker remarked that the “grievous issue” must be investigated and charged members of the committee to be guided by the principles of equity and diligence as they discharge their duties.

“Your task, as members of this ad hoc committee, is to shed light on the utilisation of these contributions to ensure that the NHF fulfils its mandate to provide affordable housing solutions. 

“The allegations of non-remittance are grievous, and you must uncover the truth, to hold those responsible accountable and safeguard the interests of those who have diligently contributed to this fund,” he said, while imploring the committee to embark on the probe with a profound sense of responsibility, bearing in mind that the fund holds the potential to transform the lives of countless hardworking Nigerians by providing them with the opportunity to secure affordable housing.

HOWEVER, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to pull out civil servants from the contributory fund over the non-remittance of deductions made.

President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, at the hearing, said the FMBN had refused to send alerts of how much civil servants contributed, including their monthly deductions.

He urged the lawmakers to take drastic steps to remove the encumbrances to affordable and quality housing to millions of Nigerians, especially workers that make the most contributions to the NHF.

This, according to him, is identified in the memoranda submitted to the committee. He said the immediate past Managing Director of FMBN, Ahmed Dangiwa, who is now the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, said he left behind N120 billion in the coffers of the bank.

Ajaero noted that reimbursement to retired workers of contributed funds, even after failure to access housing loans, is also cumbersome and unnerving. He added that despite making the statutory contributions of 2.5 per cent of yearly salary to the NHF, many workers were unable to access the loan due mainly to administrative bottlenecks.

Managing Director of FMBN, Madu Hamman, said the total contribution from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) from 2011 to date is N238 billion, adding that individuals’ contribution since 2011 was N225 million.  He said that the ministerial housing scheme was N34.5 billion.
 
Bagos, while cross-examining the agency, said documents submitted by the FBN boss were inconsistent, adding that should the committee continue with the hearing, many FMBN officials would be jailed. Bagos adjourned the hearing till tomorrow following a request by the MD to enable them put all the necessary documents together.