Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has intensified efforts
to end the housing challenges of the state with the signing of an MoU
that would ensure the construction of 10,000 units of housing in the
state.
The
project which involves a partnership with Affordable Building Concepts
International Limited is estimated to be valued at $476.1m (N95.2bn)
will occupy 200 hectars of land spread across five different locations
in the state.
Signing the MoU in Awka on Monday,
Governor Obiano expressed optimism that the project would bring a huge
relief to Ndi Anambra, especially civil servants who he said had been
coming to work in Awka from Enugu and Asaba.
“This
is the third MoU we are signing on housing. We hope that all these will
go a long way in ameliorating the challenges we are having in the
housing sector, especially for civil servants. Now that we have provided
security people who are living in Asaba or Enugu will begin to relocate
to Anambra State,” Governor Obiano maintained.
Throwing
more light on the project, the Chairman of Anambra State investment
Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), Igwe Cyril Enweze explained
that it seeks to promote urban development and modernization, provide
relatively affordable housing for the people as well as attract revenue
through the state’s share of the profits.
Pointing
out that the initiative was in line with Obiano’s economic objectives
for housing and rapid infrastructural development of the state, Igwe
Enweze expressed optimism that the project would provide a facelift to
the capital city and drive the urbanization of its host communities.
“The
project will generate 1500 direct jobs during the construction phase as
well as about 6500 indirect employment opportunities of which 75 per
cent will be dedicated to Ndi Anambra. Thus, the local artisans and
people in the host communities will be engaged as labour and in other
capacities, especially during the construction phase of the project,”
Igwe Enweze further explained.
In
a very brief remark, Tony Duncan, Affordable Building Concepts’
International Director of Sales for Middle East and West Africa
expressed the optimism that the company would have a long term
relationship with Anambra State. “I am going to be the man on the
ground here. I’m coming to live in Nigeria. I’ll work hand in hand with
your engineers and architects,” he explained.