By Anayo Okoli

UMUAHIA — IN a bid to have their own houses, Abia State civil servants have contributed about N1.46 billion into the coffers of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN.

This was disclosed, yesterday, by the Chairman of the bank, Chief Bisi Ogunjobi, while commissioning the South East office of the bank located in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
According to him, Abia State is participating actively in National Housing Fund Scheme.

He expressed satisfaction that FMBN was also fulfilling its part of the agreement.
Represented by the director representing the South East zone on the board of the bank, Dr. Godwin Duru, also announced that the bank had so far paid N47.2 million to retired contributors in the state.

Ogunjobi also disclosed that the bank had financed two housing estates development projects to the tune of N1 billion, including  Ehimiri Housing Estate.
The loans, he explained, were advanced to Abia State Housing Corporation and Property Development and Slogani Properties Ltd for the construction of combined 380 housing units.

Ogunjobi said that a new estate project by City-Point Global Investment Ltd for the construction of 500 housing units at Cedar Estate was also being considered for approval by the management of the bank.
He commended the mutual beneficial relationship between Abia State and the bank and commended Governor Theodore Orji for his interest in ensuring that the workers owned houses.