Naomi Gabriel —
The government of Enugu State has promised to deliver 1,500 low-income housing units in the state’s three senatorial zones before the turn of the year. Mr Chukwuemelie Agu, the Managing Director, Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC), made this known at a facility tour of ongoing Coal City View Estate located on Ugwuonyeama axis of the state.
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Executed in partnership with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), AG Mortgage and some estate developers, the project is aimed at cushioning accommodation challenges in the state.
“This is to give civil servants opportunity to own homes and reduce housing deficit in the state. We are doing this because we want to give civil servants an elongated repayment plan, depending on the time left in their service. We want to give them 20 to 30 years mortgage.”
He said they are currently profiling staff of Parklane, Judiciary, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) among others for offer letters.
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Agu also said that the Corporation was ready to undertake another 500- unit housing scheme under the Family Homes Funds (FMF) initiative of the Federal Government at Ehalumona in Nsukka, adding “it is a social housing scheme. The houses are going to be cheaper.”
He stated that the Funds had approved N1.8 billion for the construction of the units, stressing that the “peace in the state, good leadership being offered by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi made it possible.
“All necessary documents have been signed. We have a site, which the state government has given for this purpose. Enugu is the first eastern state to have obtained approval for the loan that will be repaid over-time with a low interest rate.
“We are also in partnership with the Funds for developing 250 units at ESUT gate, which targets ESUT staff, Law School staff and UNTH staff as off-takers. It will be an elongated repayment plan.
“We are also partnering UNTH. We are building an exclusive estate for them through FMBN at Rangers Phase 1. We have started construction and calling on civil servants in Enugu to join this scheme.”
The corporation explained that the project was part of government’s plan to decongest the city centre.
“We have noticed that Enugu central is congested and because of that, we are now looking towards extending this development to the outskirts of the city.
“It is something we must achieve because all the plans are in top gear. We have a very robust plan this year,” he added.
