By; AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Kaduna State Chapters have approached Federal Mortgage Bank (FMB) with the view to securing loans for its members to effect payment for the quarters following the planned sales of the state owned quarters to the highest bidders.
Addressing newsmen Tuesday in Kaduna, venue where most civil servants where gathered for necessary documentation with the FMB, the NLC State Chairman, Comrade Adamu Ango, said that most of their members cannot afford to pay for the quarters, noting that it was why the union decided to approach the Federal Mortgage Bank in order to secure loans for its members.
He said, as contributors to the National Housing Funds, the loan and repayment modalities had be worked out such that the houses would be paid for by the bank and deductions will be accordingly done through the salaries of the civil servants within the agreed terms.
Ango further clarified that those that were at the verge of retirement, agreed amount will be deducted from their gratuities while modalities on how to effect balance payment will also be agreed upon.
On his part, the TUC State Chairman, Comrade Shehu Mohammed, also corroborated the position of the NLC Chairman, adding that all processes towards accessing the loan has been completed.
He said the need to engage the bank on behalf of its members became imperative to avoid any form of crisis in the state.
He commended the state government for giving the occupants of the houses first right of refusal, he disclosed that since the amount pegged on the houses by the state government was not known, the union will take advantage of the market value to effect payment as a way of preventing outsiders bidding for the houses.
Some of the would be beneficiaries of the loan commended NLC/TUC for the gesture, adding that it was a major motivating factor and a step in the right direction.
