19, 400 federal civil servants benefit from housing loan, says Bukar Aji

Some civil servants called for the abolition of the NHF.

A total of 19,400 federal civil servants have benefited from the Federal Government Housing Loan Scheme, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Bukar Aji, has said.

The head of service made the disclosure at an interactive session organised by his office for state-based Federal Government civil servants in federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on Monday in Asaba.

Mr. Aji, who was represented by Clement Illoh, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, said those who applied for the facility and were yet to be granted should exercise some patience.

He told the workers that all their requests would be looked into.

He thanked the workers for maintaining and ensuring a peaceful relationship with the state government to drive the state’s three-point agenda.

He said that with the cooperation of the public servants, the Federal Government had delivered in its transformation agenda in various sectors. The sectors, he added, included agricultural, transportation, power and energy, aviation, education and health.

Mr. Aji assured the workers that promotions and promotion arrears and other fringe benefits would get to them when due.

He added that the provision of modern equipment, especially in the information and communication technology sector, had enhanced productivity.

He said “training and re-training will be enhanced but I will urge you to adopt self-development.

“I also want to urge workers to be committed to their duties by being punctual, loyal and disciplined.’’

Francis Otobo, the Chairman, Committee of Heads of Federal Government Establishments in the state thanked the Federal Government for organising the interactive session.

He, however, said workers were currently working in unhealthy and filthy environments because of the abolition of the sub-clerical cadres in the federal civil service.

He added that “it is, however, commendable that relevant rules and regulations are being developed to guarantee access of federal public officers to the housing loan.

“It is also pertinent to mention the issue of abolition of the sub-clerical cadre like the cleaners, messengers and gardeners from the service.

“With a look at some federal offices and secretariats, the need for a review becomes imperative,” he said.

A cross section of the civil servants called for the abrogation of the National Housing Fund (NHF) and a refund of all contributions made by workers to them.

Some of the workers said the NHF had never profited them in anyway and complained that there was no information on the fund’s activities, as loans were not granted them years after they had applied for it.

(NAN)