The InfoStride Forum

(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Maku-NGGT-Housing-1-300x199.jpg)                        The Government of Akwa Ibom State has indicated its preparedness to provide its workers with affordable housing of their own where they can retire to after service. It has therefore embarked on the construction of 10,000 housing units across the state.

Briefing members of the National Good Governance Tour in Uyo at the Mass Housing Estate Idu Uruan, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Emmanuel Enoidem said the State Government is "hoping that at completion, the Housing Units will be given first line to Civil Servants.

"It is our intention that all civil servants will retire to their houses. It is for that reason that we returned the state to the National Housing Fund which was discontinued in 2002 before we came.

"The hope is, at the end of the day we will be able to empower our public servants who are contributors to that Fund to take advantage of the loan available to that source to buy into this property", Enoidem said.

According to the Commissioner, contract for electrification, water supply and other infrastructure have already been awarded by the State Government and work should commence soon.

He said initially a housing unit cost 9 million naira but 1.5million to 2 million naira is to be added in view of the increase in cost of materials. Mr. Enoidem said the addition would bring the building cost per unit to 11million naira for the 2,000 housing estate.

According to the Commissioner, civil servants below the level of Permanent Secretary are to be given priority during allocation.

He said an elaborate road network, recreational centre, shopping complex and police post would be provided for the estate

The Special Adviser to the President on Documentation, Molara Wood however made case for more space to be allocated for each building in the 82 hectre estate. "Even if they are for low income people is there no plan for more space", she asked.

Responding the Consultant said the units were the most perfect models of wealth creation and poverty alleviation in the country and assured that the spaces provided for each unit would be adequate for residents.

The estate project is being replicated in 6 other locations in the state and a total of 10,000 housing units are being targeted.

The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku described the project as a good one noting that housing is a basic need of man. "For some time there was housing shortage in the country and recently the Federal Government passed a new Housing Policy which includes social housing. That is housing for the poorest of the poor and creating infrastructure for them", the Minister stated.

"I believe if you continue and get 10,000 houses for Akwa Ibom people, workers and citizens that would bring the pressure down significantly", the Information Minister observed.

Maku further stressed the need to guard against slums developing in the area. "You know Uyo is now developing as a modern city so you can't allow slums around it. So the more you develop the surrounding environment into proper housing areas and plan them, the pressure in the city centre will reduce but still the surrounding city will become something that is decent for people to live in", Maku added.

In response to an enquiry by the Minister on engagement of the Private Sector, the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Umana Umana said there is a housing estate close to the Le Meridian Hotel which is being promoted by the private sector. "Government has nothing to do with it and it is working as well as another one on Oron road", the SSG said.

"Any group or company from the private sector that is serious and shows evidence of seriousness will be given land immediately to develop housing estates. We will support the initiative, we have done that already", he added.



Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria