Government Attributing Multiple Loan Deductions as the Reason for Workers' Trouble in Obtaining Home Loans

Federal Workers Face Challenges Accessing Government Housing Loans, According to Hajiya Salamatu Ahmed

In a statement made at the Permanent Secretaries' Quarterly Forum with Union Leaders, Hajiya Salamatu Ahmed, Executive Secretary of the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board, expressed concern about the inability of federal workers to access government housing loans.

According to Hajiya Ahmed, the issue is due to the prior commitments of these workers to multiple loans from commercial lenders. The significant loan deductions leave most civil servants ineligible for government housing loans.

Hajiya Ahmed described the current situation as worrisome and stated that it is not possible for workers who have multiple loan deductions to pay the government housing loan. The Federal Government's housing loan schemes are inaccessible to many federal workers due to these multiple loan deductions from commercial lenders.

The event, organized by the Service Welfare Office under the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), also saw the Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office discuss measures to address the challenges facing federal workers. These measures include the revival of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), free medical services at the HCSF complex, a review of recognition and reward policies, and an open-door policy with unions.

Other initiatives outlined by Hajiya Ahmed include a special housing loan scheme for officers on Grade Levels 8 to 14, the increase of the loan ceiling for senior workers to N20 million, and group life assurance for federal workers. The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board is also partnering with mortgage institutions and private developers to make houses more affordable for civil servants.

Union leaders also voiced concerns about delays and bottlenecks in the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) scheme. The Deputy General Manager of NSITF, Mr. Usman Tumsah, mentioned simplifying the claims process and digitising applications for the employee compensation scheme as a way to address these concerns.

Mrs. Patience Onyekunle, who declared the forum open, outlined key initiatives under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2021-2025). The aim is to improve the welfare and working conditions of federal workers, and Hajiya Ahmed's statement underscores the need for action in this area.

Despite the challenges, Hajiya Ahmed expressed sadness about the situation where federal workers are unable to access government housing loans due to their prior loan commitments. The search results do not provide information about the name of the chairman of the Nigerian government responsible for the allocation of civil servant housing bonds. There is no specific mention of such a person or title in the results.

Government Attributing Multiple Loan Deductions as the Reason for Workers' Trouble in Obtaining Home Loans