Property Recovery Drive: Housing Loans Board Targets Retired Debtors
The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB) has commenced the compilation of the list of retired civil servants who have outstanding housing loan debts
In a statement issued by the Board’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Ngozi Obiechina, the Executive Secretary, FGSHLB, Mrs Salamatu Ahmed disclosed that the move aims at recovering mortgaged properties from retirees who defaulted on the full repayment of their housing loans
According to the statement, the decision followed a recent memo released by the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Patience Oyekunle.
Mrs. Ahmed noted that the memo reminded public servants of the mandatory requirement to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness to the FGSHLB and MDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society as a precondition for retirement.
She stated further that in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Rules 021002 (p), issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Board would take necessary legal steps to repossess properties where applicable, in line with the terms of the loan agreements.
“I am directed to bring to your attention the provision of Public Service Rule (PSR) 021002 (p), which mandates all public servants to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness as a prerequisite for retirement.
The Federal Government will commence the seizure of mortgaged properties belonging to retiring federal public servants who have failed to fully repay housing loans obtained from the Board,” she stressed.
The Executive Secretary who explained that the FGSHLB reserves the legal right to repossess any mortgaged property in cases where a public servant exits service without fully repaying the loan, reiterated that the directive also applies to already retired officers who were still indebted.
She therefore urged all affected public servants to regularise their loan status and obtain the required clearance certificate without delay.
