BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

WHEN Governor Ikedi Ohakim, addressed Imo stakeholders January 4, 2011, he told them that the Bureau for Haousing was upgraded to a full-fledged Ministry to give housing and urban development adequate status and facility. The upgrade was also to provide the platform for the growth and development of the state through the construction of new building types and renovation of existing ones to meet the diverse needs of the people.

Governor Ohakim also promised to involve the private sector and financial institutions in finding solutions to the housing needs of the people of Imo State.

Although cynics did not believe him, he ignored them and went scouting for private developers who commenced the construction of some housing estates in the state but abandoned them halfway. It is to credit that one of such estates has been completed and commissioned. Speaking at the commissioning of Graceland Estate, Irete, Owerri, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Chief Nduese Essien commended the Governor for providing the ambience that enabled the estate and many more development projects to flourish.

The Minister described the event as special “because here in the heart of the Green and Clean City of Owerri, we are regaining the battle to deliver houses to our people and take away some families from the housing deficit list”.

Continuing, the Minister said: “The beauty of the project we are inaugurating today is that with the success recorded in this initiative, it is now possible to say that the Public Private Partnership (PPP) option may yet be the way forward for the provision of infrastructure in our country”.

He further reasoned that the private sector’s efficiency in the management of time and resources, as well as its quick access to funds, are advantages we must leverage on to hasten the pace of our development efforts.

In his own address, the Managing Director of Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Mr. Terver Gemade, recalled with glee that “by this effort, we have added to the housing stock in the state and have thereby helped fellow Nigerians to fulfill their dreams of owning their own homes”.

According to the FHA boss, the houses were built and completed with the highest considerations for the security, comfort and convenience of residents, adding that the facilities in the housing units were designed to give the highest satisfaction to the buyers.

“We are of the firm belief that we have by this effort created an estate that would serve as a model for prospective housing developers,” he said.

Earlier , the Managing Director of Tangent Limited, the developer, Mr. Frank Ajaero, explained that ““Graceland lies on a 20-acre parcel designed to accommodate 210 units of six house types, ranging from the three-bedroom semi-detached bungalow to the five-bedroom fully detached luxury duplexes”.

Phase one comprises of 141 units, which are completed with full infrastructure, including perimeter fencing, central water scheme, drains and asphalt roads and electricity among others.

Vanguard Homes & Property gathered that in Phase two, 40 out of 69 units are at various stages of construction. When fully completed, Graceland Estate shall accommodate other support commercial and recreational facilities such as shops, football field, lawn tennis court, basket ball pitch, an eatery and cash centre.

“For us at Tangent, we feel gratified for this first opportunity to participate in the real estate sector by contributing our bit towards alleviating the huge need for shelter in Nigeria,” Ajaero said.

Appreciating Governor Ohakim, Tangent boss said: “All through the period of construction works at the estate, Governor Ohakim always interfaced with us through his Works and Housing Commissioners, to remind us to make Graceland Estate Clean and Green compliant”.

He also commended Ohakim for the on-going construction of the dual carriage way inner ring road, which passes through the Estate and the nurturing of the green verge, which beautifies the façade.