NAN-H-75
Houses
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Ezzamgbo (Ebonyi), March 1, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMGN) on Wednesday delivered 72 housing units to the Ebonyi government for occupation by its civil servants.
The houses were inaugurated by the Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Alhaji Mustapha Shehuri, at Ezzambgo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi
Speaking at the inauguration, Mr Richard Esin, the bank’s Acting Managing Director , said the FMBN/Ebonyi State Housing Development Corporation’s Housing Estate has 240 housing units, with 72 units completed.
“The 72 housing units consist of 5 units of 3-bedroom fully detached bungalows, 30 units of 3-bedroom semi-detached bungalows and 12 units of 2-bedroom terrace.
“It also consists of 20 units of 2-bedroom semi-detached bungalows and 5 units of 1-bedroom terrace,” he said.
Esin said the FMBN in its desire to positively impact on the housing sector of Ebonyi invested a total of N431 million toward the project.
“The development of this housing estate is an affirmation of the tangible achievements of the Federal Government in providing affordable housing for all Nigerians and the crucial role we play in achieving it,” he said.
Inaugurating the estate, Shehuri said the Federal Government was prioritising the provision of affordable housing for Nigerians.
“The federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing will strive at ensuring that the challenge of housing deficit in Nigeria, put at 16-17million units, is surmounted.
“The ministry plans to construct mass housing units in every state of the federation for public workers and individuals over the next three years under Public-Private partnership arrangement.
“This plan is progressively on-going, as it is satisfying to note that these housing units being inaugurated are equipped with basic amenities for decent living,” he said.
Gov. David Umahi noted that the agreement for the construction was signed by the state government and FMBN on July 11, 2005 for the bank to offer N422 million in developing 240 housing units.
“The agreement stipulated that the fund be released in three tranches, but the first tranch of N168milllion released that July was only accessed in 2006.
“The FMBN did not release any other fund for the project till 2011 when it released N126 million that was accessed in 2014,” he said.
He noted that due to the FMBN’s delay in releasing the funds, Ebonyi government in 2009 released N416 million to its housing corporation to continue the project.
Dr Chamberlain Nwele, the state Head of Service, noted that in adherence to the governor’s directive, all 72 housing units had been allotted to beneficiaries through balloting process. (NAN)
RCO/OJO
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(Edited by Chidi Opara/Mufutau Ojo)