Twenty years after withdrawing from the National Housing Fund Scheme, workers in the employment of the Kano State government have been assured of the planned restoration of the scheme to facilitate ownership of decent and affordable houses.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf who disclosed on Wednesday in Kano while addressing workers on the occasion of the 2024 May Day celebration in the state stated that the government was in talks with stakeholders to bring back the scheme in the interest of the workers.
Governor Yusuf who was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam, said his government has initiated move to ensure that reasonable proportion of interested workers desirous of owning decent shelter eventually realise their noble aspirations.
He further described the withdrawal of the state from the National Housing Fund Scheme as devastating and a setback to the state workers.
According to him, “As one time civil servant, I am aware of the challenges of ownership of shelter of the majority of civil servants under the prevailing harsh economic condition and housing deficit in the nation.
“To mitigate the challenge, our administration is engaging with all relevant stakeholders including the organised labour leaders to explore feasible and mutually assuring and beneficial ways and means for workers to own a decent and affordable shelter under the national housing fund scheme.
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“The government has already initiated the move and all arrangements are on top gear to facilitate this important aspect of our lives to our workers and make it affordable as possible,” Governor Yusuf said.
He noted that the scheme is being explored after the state pulled out from the housing scheme 20 years ago, emphasising that available facilities and other benefits that could have been accessed and enjoyed from the Federal Mortgage Bank by Kano citizens have been lost with the withdrawal.
“On this goal, let me state the readiness of the Kano State government to provide land for the commencement of the construction of the houses as soon as the parties arrived at consensus.
“Similarly, we are also aware of the existing deficit in our urban and rural infrastructure and maintain an unwavering resolve and commitment to address it,” the Governor assured.
Governor Yusuf however reiterated the commitment of the government to the welfare of the workers, while appealing for sustained industrial peace and harmony in both the public and private sector of the economy in the state.
Earlier, the Chairman, Kano State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Kabiru Inuwa charged the state government on the need to revisit the payment of wage award that was only paid once.
Comrade Inuwa also called on the government to look into issues of the backlog of unremitted pension contributions by some organisations with a staggering accumulation of over N75 billion as of May 2023.
“As labour leaders, it is our priority to highlight and pursue our challenges and demand through the famous philosophy of cooperation, collaboration and contestation. Because any trade union strategy that is not workers driven is subversive and must be resisted by the members,” Inuwa said.
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“The issue of the backlog of unremitted pension contributions by some organisations is alarming, with a staggering accumulation of over N75 billion as of May 2023. This poses a serious threat to the financial security of our retirees. The non-remittance lead to deductions of pension thus, nonpayment of full pension for years.
“While we commend the present administration for commencing full payment of pension, we demand that all defaulting government institutions shall commence paying the backlog to enable settlement of retirement and death benefits.
“We are sure that if elaborative analysis of the backlog is done and a strategy to recoup the money is put in place, the accrued benefits could be settled within few years.
“The payment of wage award that was only paid once needs to be revisited. Workers rely on these awards to improve their standard of living, and a consistent payment schedule shall be established to ensure their welfare is safeguarded,” the NLC Chairman stated.