Abia State Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Theophilus Odionyenfe Ugboajah says the Ministry has mapped out a 30- year blue print for the development of the state with infrastructure taking the front burner.
The Commissioner stated this in his office while interacting with some journalists.
He reiterated that before the end of the year, Abia New government House started by the immediate past Governor, Chief Theodore Orji would have been ready for commissioning and occupation.
He pointed out that a Committee has been inaugurated and the Contractor engaged to resume work.
He maintained that the Government House would be of high standard and would be the best in the South East.
Hon. Ugboajah frowned at the level in which some Ministries without recourse to the Ministry of Housing embark on building, emphasizing that the law gave the Ministry the mandate to build, especially government or public buildings.
He restressed that the ministry can boast of qualified Architects, Surveyors and Builders. Therefore, the Commissioner made it clear that the Governor has warned Ministries to desist from such usurping of building functions and furnishing.
He regretted that there are no low income houses for the middle class adding that the ministry has plans to embark on both high and low income houses in the three senatorial zones of the state which will contain modern facilities like market, schools, churches, well asphalted roads and relaxation centres.
The Commissioner lauded Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for building quality roads, Enyimba Economic City and encouraging and equipping SMEs that have led to the growth of garments and shoe industries in the state.
Contributing, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Housing, Engr Mrs Rita Okengwu said that so far, they have the Amuba Housing Estate, Garden City Estate, Osisioma, Isieke Housing Estate – all in the hands of developers for sale to both the rich and the low income earners.
She revealed that the Ministry has secured an approval to enumerate all private houses in the state using Geographical Information System. She said this will help in long term planning in the provision of electricity, water and also provide travel guides to assist in finding those who have relocated from one place to the other.
The Ministry is embarking on Eco- friendly houses that would last and meet the taste of the modern time, adding that the Ministry would use modern technology- Nano technology.
Okengwu revealed that serious measures are being taken to ensure prevention of house collapse in the state as being witnessed in other states. In her words, “we are proactive through the UCDA by monitoring and supervising building right from foundation”.
