The Niger State Government has expressed readiness to collaborate with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and other relevant agencies to tackle the housing deficit in the country and provide affordable housing for citizens.
The Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago disclosed this when he received the management team of the Bank, led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive, Shehu Osidi, at the Government House, in Minna.
The Governor who emphasized the importance of selecting viable sites for housing development said it will ensure sustainability and effective service delivery.
He acknowledged that the state owes the Federal Mortgage Bank some funds and disclosed that his administration had established a sinking fund at the onset of his tenure to begin offsetting the debt.
He also promised to further investigate the circumstances surrounding the liability.
While thanking the Bank’s management for their visit, he reaffirmed his commitment to a strong working relationship aimed at improving access to decent and affordable housing for the state’s workforce and citizens.
Earlier, the Managing Director of the FMBN, Shehu Osidi, expressed the Bank’s desire to deepen its institutional partnership with the Niger State Government.
According to him, the Bank had financed and delivered over 700 housing units through 12 different projects valued at N3.7 billion.
He added that the Bank is currently offering two housing projects to the State Government for outright purchase to provide immediate housing solutions for state employees.
Furthermore, more than N2 billion has been disbursed under the home renovation loan scheme, benefiting 2,420 civil servants in the state.
Osidi also outlined several other housing initiatives tailored to meet the needs of low- and middle-income earners, reaffirming the Bank’s commitment to supporting the Bago-led administration’s vision of improving citizens’ living standards through sustainable housing.
