President Commissions Aviation Village, NHF e-Card Scheme

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday commissioned a N2.4 billion housing estate in Abuja financed by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and at the same time launched the National Housing Fund (NHF) e-card scheme that will make it easier for NHF contributors to monitor fund transactions.

The President praised the public-private partnership agreement behind the mass housing project of 270 flats at the Aviation Village in Abuja, stating that “our intention is not to create a government monopoly but to encourage the private sector to drive the process while we provide the right policies and environment”.

He described the e-card scheme as an “effective tool for ensuring transparency and accountability of national housing funds contributions received by the FMBN. This is one this administration’s efforts at promoting transparency in the management of resources.

“Contributors will not only find the e- card useful in managing their fund but also boost their confidence in the national housing scheme. Those who are still in breach of the law by not contributing should now be comfortable to comply since they are assured of the safety and proper application of their money” he said.

“As for this administration, I assure you all that improving the living standards of Nigerians is an imperative which we are resolutely pursuing”, he said.

He added that it was better to build smaller housing estates across the country rather than building large estates that may not eventually be well kept.

The Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Gimba Ya’u Kumo noted the increase in NHF collections from N700 million to N2.2 billion a month.