FIC Report (Ebonyi State) – The Federal Government says it will create 6,500 jobs for different categories of persons through the construction of the 250 housing units in the Renewed Hope Estate in Ebonyi.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa made the disclosure on Wednesday during the ground breaking ceremony of the estate, situated at Umuezekohu community of Ezza North Local Government Area of the state.
Dangiwa said that the estate expected to be completed in three months, would create jobs for architects, civil and mechanical engineers, plumbers, masons, tilers, among others.
This project consists of 50 units one-bedrroom semi-detached bungalows, 150 units of two-bedroom and 50 units of three-bedroom semi-detached bungalows.
The project will also enhance economic activities such as food sales, block supplies, provision of building materials among other trades, creating an impactful value chain,” he said.
The minister said the ceremony began with the second leg of a nationwide groundbreaking exercise for housing projects under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme.
The programme’s first phase will deliver 50,000 housing units across Nigeria which includes seven renewed hope cities with 500 to 1,000 housing units per site in each geopolitical zone and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The renewed hope estates will have 250 units per site in the remaining 30 states as it aims to unlock Nigeria’s massive housing development potentials,” he said.
He noted that the housing units had been designed to be easily acquired and affordable for people by using organic designs for future expansion as beneficiaries”s income increased.
We have created different acquisition options which include single-digit mortgage loans repayable over 30 years, rent-to-own schemes from the Federal Mortgage Bank and outright purchase options,” he said.
Gov. Francis Nwifuru, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Patricia Obila described the occasion as “historic” and commended President Bola Tinubu for implementing the programme.
This underscores the president avowed commitment to provide affordable housing to Nigerians especially the middle and low-income earners.
The project is also significant in realising the state government ‘s objective of providing affordable housing for its citizens,” he said.
The governor assured of adequate security for the project to ensure its timely completion and appealed that at least 60 per cent of its indigenes benefited during its allocation.
The Chief Executive Officer of Proportion Construction Company, who spoke on behalf of other developers, promised that the project would be completed within the stipulated period and also, of required standard.
BAKARE LAURETTA
HOC FIC ABAKALIKI
