The Cross River State government has set aside N200 million to help its civil/public servants fund ten percent equity contribution that will enable them obtain loan under the National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme. The ten percent equity contribution is a pre-requisite for loan approval under the NHF scheme

Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor on Mortgage Finance, Mrs Rosemary Achonwa, who disclosed this, noted that the gesture by the government is meant to help the civil/public servants access the NHF loan with which to acquire houses in the estate being built for workers by the state government.

Achonwa declared that the state government has invested about N856 million on the Cross River Properties and Investment Limited (CROSPIL)’s Civil/Public Servants Estate in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of the state. She said that compensation to the community where the estate would be located is estimated to be N151.43 million.

The governor’s aide further stated that roads and drainage were to be constructed at the cost of N597,760,639.30, while contracts have been awarded for electrification and water supply, worth N81,499,321.62 and N25,437,378.00, respectively.

She said that construction work will commence this September on the project, with a total of 610 housing units comprising 136 one-bedroom, 246 two2-bedroom semi-detached, 67 two-bedroom detached, 96 three-bedroom semi-detached and 65 three-bedroom detached.

Achonwa added that the project is being handled by Arab Contractors, who has set out 54 per cent of the roads and completed over 50 per cent of earthworks, culverts and drains.