The House of Representatives ad hoc committee on non-remittance and utilisation of the National Housing Fund from 2011 has tasked local government councils to comply with remittances.

The committee led by Dachung Bagos gave the charge during a courtesy visit to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Wednesday at Government House, Asaba.

Mr Bagos lauded the Delta government for its commitment to ensuring prompt remittance of workers’ contributions to the NHF but berated the state’s local government councils for not remitting its workers’ contributions to the NHF.

The legislator said the parliament had decided to tackle the country’s over 40 per cent housing deficit because most workers were retiring from service without a roof over their heads.

According to Mr Bagos, Delta’s prompt remittance to NHF informed the committee’s visit to Delta.

“I, however, call on the governor to encourage the local government councils in the state to comply with the remittances. Delta was picked as one of the most reliable states that has been remitting to the National Housing Fund since inception,” stated Mr Bagos. “The NHF has been a challenge with the deficit that Nigerians have experienced in terms of lack of housing and roofs over their heads. The deficit of over 40 per cent is something that the House of Representatives has decided to rise and tackle.”

He added, “If we do not tackle this challenge now, God forbid, tomorrow our people may become internally displaced persons. If a Nigerian worker works for 35 years and at the end of the day, he or she can not boast of a roof over his or her head, it’s worrisome.”

Mr Oborevwori thanked the committee for the visit and assured that the state would continue to lead in issues concerning the welfare of workers and citizens.

“I am happy today that Delta, from 2019 to 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 councils are yet to fulfil this obligation. We will do our best to see that they comply,” stated Mr Oborevwori.

The Delta governor added, “The 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 can be very frustrating. So, having all these housing schemes for our people will be a support to them, and that’s what we will encourage.”

(NAN)