5,000 HOUSING UNITS FOR IMO CIVIL SERVANTS IS READY – IMSG
EVEREST EZIHE, Owerri
Recall during the inaugural speech of Governor Hope Uzodimma on 15th January 2020 and his subsequent assurances of building ultra-modern cities that will include 5,000 housing units for the low-income civil servants in each of the three senatorial zones of the state, as part of his administration’s 3 R and Shared Prosperity mantra legacy projects, HRH Eze Oliver Ohanwe says that Okigwe Senatorial Zone has for months now earmarked lands strategically suitable for the project.
Eze Ohanwe who’s the Chairman of Okigwe Elders Forum (OKEF) gave the assurance when the technical crew of Smart word Mega Company led by Engr. Smart Okeugiri, as the appointed representative of the foreign investor’s, went to inspect the proposed lands as one of the companies that have declared interest in partnering with the state government in the realization of the legacy projects in the three senatorial zones of the state.
The foremost traditional ruler pointed out that the zone has identified four locations with massive land spaces strategically suitable for the project and plea with the State government on the need to hasten action towards their documentation and acquisition.
The areas he said are the Umuna axis: which stretches after Afor Umuna to Imo River Bridge at Onuimo on the right-hand side opposite the Department of Engineering, Imo State University Onuimo, Okigwe. The approximate size of land available is 600 Hectares which is equivalent to 1485 acres or about 9,000 plots.
Another is the former P.D.S site between Amaraku and Amara Ama-Ano, both sides are available. The area is about 1485 acres which are approximately 9000 plots.
Also is from Eke-Obolo towards Isiala Mbano down to Umueze 1 and extended to Federal Housing Estate Isiala Mbano opposite Joint Hospital Mbano, then from there to Mbeke, Ihim-Umuelemai axis with a landmass of over 24,000 plots.
Inclusive is the massive land at Okigwe local government area on the axis located along Okigwe Ezinachi Express Road which is on both sides of the road with about 10,000 plots well located for housing units and subsequent new city development
Finally, Obowo-Ihitte Uboma axis via Abadaba – Nkwume- Ato with about 18,000 plots.
Eze Ohanwe who’s also the traditional ruler of Ihim autonomous community commended Imo State Government under the leadership of Senator Hope Uzodimma for being committed to the welfare of the populace as well as the State’s infrastructural development.
He further informed that the Governor had earlier last year applauded the leadership of Okigwe Elders Forum for being a pacesetter in providing the lands as demanded by the state government.
The traditional ruler expressed satisfaction that Governor Uzodimma’s administration is desirous to commence the provision of 5000 units of staff low-income housing and New City in the 3 senatorial zones of the state starting with Okigwe Zone that has shown commitment with land as recommended by OKEF.
Eze Ohanwe reiterated that the projects will engage the thousands of imo youths in gainful employment as a heartbeat of the state administration and subsequently led to effective and gainful use of the ongoing construction of Owerri- Okigwe expressway.
Okeugiri applauded Imo State Government for her commitments in rural development informing that his organization has advanced plans with international finance organizations who are willing to finance the projects from the scratch to building of the housing units to developments at the new cities.
According to him, ” the financing will commence with the designing, constructing, developing, building and managing, ranging from the creation of access roads, provision of world-class infrastructures such electricity and water supply as well as management and maintenance of the contemplated new towns and new cities” he assured.
The representative stated that the project if approved will run on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis noting that the state government has the obligation of providing the vast land needed for the projects while the financiers will be responsible for the designs, development, construction, building of the housing units, and provision of necessary infrastructural facilities to open the areas and make them habitable as developed new cities.
Okeugiri also said that his subsidiary company if offered the opportunity will simultaneously engage the local youth into skills training in various areas relating to the project.
