ASABA/Nigeria: In a commendable display of commitment to addressing the housing deficit in Nigeria, the House of Representatives’ Adhoc Committee on Non-remittance of the National Housing Fund (NHF) and the utilization of the fund from 2011, led by Hon. Dachung Bagos, showered praise on the Delta State Government during a courtesy visit to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at Government House, Asaba, on Wednesday.
With a housing deficit exceeding 40 percent across the nation, the House of Representatives has taken up the mantle to confront this pressing issue. Many Nigerian workers are retiring without the security of a roof over their heads, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
Hon. Dachung Bagos, leading the committee, lauded Delta State for its consistent and timely remittance to the NHF since its inception. He urged Governor Oborevwori to use his influence to encourage local government councils within the state to comply with NHF remittances.
Bagos emphasized, “Delta State was picked as one of the best states that is reliable and has been remitting to the national housing fund since inception. The national housing fund has been a challenge, of which, with the deficit that Nigerians have experienced in terms of lack of housing and roofs over their heads, a deficit of over 40 percent, is something that the House of Representatives have decided to rise and tackle. If we do not tackle this challenge now, God forbid, tomorrow our people may become Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). If a Nigerian worker works for 35 years and at the end of the day, he or she cannot have a roof over his head, it’s worrisome.”
In response, Governor Oborevwori expressed gratitude to the Committee for their visit and assured them that Delta State would maintain its leadership in matters concerning the welfare of workers and citizens.
Governor Oborevwori stated, “I am happy today that Delta state from 2019 till date has remitted funds into the federal housing scheme and that we are not owing. I was, however, informed this morning that some of our Local Government councils are yet to fulfill these obligations. We will do our best to see that they comply. Housing scheme is very good because after working for years and you retire and you don’t have a place to put your head, it could be very frustrating. So having all these housing schemes for our people will be a support to them, and that’s what we will encourage. We came in about 108 days now and we have done a lot and we will do more because that’s what we promised our people. So we want to assure you that we will give you all the support you need, and we will encourage the local government councils that have not remitted to do so.”
The House of Representatives’ acknowledgment of Delta State’s exemplary commitment to the NHF underscores the importance of addressing the housing deficit in Nigeria and ensuring a secure future for the nation’s workers.
