From Abdulfatah Babatunde
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) have agreed to set the ball rolling for the diaspora mortgage scheme to begin operation within the next three months.
Both government agencies reached this consensus when the Managing Director of the FMBN visited the NIDCOM office in Abuja.
At the meeting, the Managing Director of FMBN, Mr Shehu Osidi remarked that providing a platform for Diaspora Nigerians to access funding facilities for housing projects, was one of the pragmatic steps from the Federal Government.
This, Osidi noted, “is in recognition of the Diaspora’s efforts to the country, as key players in economic sustainability”.
He also said that having this platform would create jobs and high patronage for Made-in-Nigeria products and services.
“This, in turn will bolster Nigerian’s GDP,” the FMBN boss said.
He said there had been preparation to launch the scheme before the first quarter of 2024.
Osidi, however, said there was a need to have more test-runs done on the platform. This is to ensure a seamless and user-friendly portal, for the next three months.
The new FMBN helmsman express confidence that the government would launch the project as promised before middle of the year.
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He then presented an amended draft of the memorandum of agreement on the scheme to the NIDCOM Chairman, Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
FMBN boss also suggested that a six-man technical party, consisting of three members each from both sides “should spearhead the conclusion of the novel project”.
Receiving the amended draft memorandum, Dabiri-Erewa assured Nigerians in the Diaspora that the diaspora mortgage scheme will be in operation within the next three months.
She agreed with the Osidi that an extended three-month test run would was necessary to avoid lapses on the portal.
“This will also enable the new Head of FMBN gets sufficiently acquainted with the project,” NIDCOM boss said.
The meeting drew out the next steps on the continuity of the Diaspora Mortgage Housing Scheme Project.
TheNewsZenith gathered that the project had reached an advanced stage before the change in the management of the FMBN.
The Diaspora Mortgage Housing Scheme is designed for Nigerians in the Diaspora to become homeowners in their country. It also aimed at creating credible investment opportunities for them and other Nigerians.
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