FG selects Ondo State for Ministerial Housing Pilot Scheme.
The Federal Government has named Ondo State as one of the seven States in the country that have been selected for the pilot project of the Ministerial Housing Scheme under the current National Housing Fund programme.
This was disclosed by the Chairman of the Federal Mortgage Bank, Nigeria, Chief Olabisi Ogunjobi in Akure, during a courtesy call on the State Governor, Dr Olusegun Miniko in his office.
Chief Ogunjobi who said that he was in Ondo State to introduce the National Housing Fund Scheme to workers in the State because of the benefit derivable from it, also noted that a total of seven States across the country are being considered for the pilot project.
He said it was the resolve of the Federal Government to put in place the housing programme with the aim of providing housing opportunities for the people of the country especially for the Nigerian workers.
While saying that it is a good thing for every individual to own a house of his dream, which according to him is a sign of achievement, the Chairman of the Federal of Mortgage Bank expressed readiness to partner with the Government of Ondo State to prevail on its workers to start contributing to the National Housing Scheme which will give them the opportunity of securing affordable houses for themselves.
He explained that the pilot project is a tripartite arrangement between the States and the Federal Mortgage bank and the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, adding that it would take off with one hundred and five units of houses in the seven pilot States.
According to him, the arrangement was for the States to provide lands, Federal Ministry of Housing to provide workmanship, while the Federal Mortgage Bank would provide the fund.
He expressed confidence that the programme would be of great benefit to workers in Ondo State, if they should agree to join the national contributory housing scheme of the Federal Government which is deliberately designed to provide affordable housing opportunities for the Nigerians at whatever location they are residing in the country.
In his response, the Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko commended the Federal Government for putting in place such a programme which according to him could afford individual Nigerian the opportunity to own a house without much problem.
He however, expressed the fear that it might be a difficult task for him to persuade workers in Ondo State to participate in the National Housing Fund, as they had once pulled out of the scheme for alleged discrepancies.
The Governor noted that his administration had executed several housing projects in the State since coming on board with hundred per cent acceptance from the people of the State, adding that people are competing for them in their various locations in the State capital.
He promised to leverage on the opportunity provided by the Federal Government to make houses affordable for the people of Ondo State.
