The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria says it has registered 2,370 retirees under the National Housing Fund in Bauchi from 2023 to date.

The bank also refunded the retirees under the scheme within the period under review.

Abubakar Mu’azu, the Bauchi branch manager of the bank, expressed satisfaction with the level of interest shown by the retirees in the scheme while speaking on Tuesday in Bauchi.

He said 18 out of the 20 local government areas of the state had been integrated into the scheme.

“Only two LGAs are yet to fully comply,” he said, adding that some of the local government councils had secured home renovation loans under the NHF scheme.

He, however, said the home renovation facility has been stalled due to the inability of the Bauchi state government to settle the N459 million outstanding contribution to the scheme.

“Despite several written reminders and follow-ups, the arrears remained unpaid until recently following a meeting convened by the state commissioner for finance and FMBN officials.

“An agreement was reached for the state to clear the arrears to pave the way for the continuation of financial support to the contributors,” he said.

He, therefore, urged residents of the state to take advantage of the services being offered by the bank to enable them to own decent houses.

“Our people are often nonchalant about the opportunities available at the bank. The FMBN is for everyone; our doors are always open for enquiries and assistance,” he said.

However, the FMBN in Gombe said its operations, particularly regarding refunds to retirees of the NHF, had been digitised and centralised by its headquarters.

The FMBN branch manager in the state, Mohammed Saeed, said he had no record or knowledge of such disbursement.

“We are not aware of any N500 million disbursement to our state branch. The refund process is centralised at our head office. We only receive applications from the retirees, verify the documentation, and forward them digitally to Abuja for processing and payment.

“The era of sending hard copy applications is over; the bank now scans and transmits all refund applications electronically to enhance speed and efficiency.

“Once applications are received at the branch level, they are scrutinised in line with the bank’s policy. As long as all required documents are attached, we process and forward it to the head office promptly. We do not handle it,” Mr Saeed said.

(NAN)