The House of Representatives, Wednesday, commended Delta State Government for its commitment in ensuring prompt remittance of worker’s contributions to the National Housing Fund.
The House Adhoc Committee on Non-remittance of the National Housing Fund (NHF) and the utilisation of the fund from 2011, led by Hon. Dachung Bagos, gave the commendation during a courtesy visit on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at Government House, Asaba.
Bagos said with over 40 percent housing deficit in the country the House of Representatives decided to tackle the challenge as most workers were retiring without a roof over their head.
He said their visit to Delta was informed by the State’s prompt remittance to the NHF and called on the Governor to urge local government councils in the state to comply with the remittances.
“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 can not have a roof over his head, it’s worrisome”.
Responding, Governor Oborevwori thanked the Committee for the visit, assuring that the State would continue to lead in issues concerning the welfare of workers and citizens.
“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 fulfil this 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 scheme 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,” Oborevwori said.
