RECONSIDRATION FOR FMBN RECAPITALIZATION

Operators and experts in the built environment have asserted the necessity of recapitalizing the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

According to Toye Eniola, the executive secretary of the Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria, “The prices of building materials and construction have increased, and more funds would be required in the system. Recapitalization will assist FMBN in creating adequate and more mortgages to service affordable housing provision and create a vibrant mortgage market in Nigeria.

He said:

“FMBN loan is a single digit of six percent interest, and recapitalization will not make any difference because it is a special loan backed by law and would only be changed by the same law that established it. However, recapitalization of FMBN cannot guarantee a single-digit interest rate in the general mortgage market because of the monetary policy and capital market forces dictated by government lending rates and where mortgage institutions are sourcing their funding.”

Meanwhile, another expert in the field has advanced the fact that recapitalizing FMBN was one of the steps necessary to achieve affordable housing in Nigeria.

He noted that “Since the current administration is determined to provide affordable homes to Nigerians, it can revisit and change the law and policy to recapitalize FMBN and make it a solvent institution that can help the masses. Recapitalizing FMBN is one of the steps necessary to achieve affordable housing in Nigeria.

“Recapitalizing FMBN is not going to guarantee a single-digit loan across the board in Nigeria but will create an opportunity for competition that would make the double-digit lenders sit up. Look at the recent case of Air Peace. Did you see how the airlines were cutting their prices? Competition creates an atmosphere where everyone would give their best, which ultimately might benefit the consumers, who are the ordinary Nigerians.”

Source: Techeconomy