By Kingsley Ezekwelu

Governor Willie Obiano has been described as the best governor to have ever steered the ship of Anambra state since its creation, 25 years ago.

This was the submission of Sen Annie Okonkwo this afternoon during the inauguration of the construction of Eagles Hill housing estate, Awka.

The project which covers a land space of 24 hectares along the Ngozika Housing Estste Phase 2 Road, overlooking the Enugu-Onitsha Federal highway, has a total investment cost of N1.4billion of which the State government would contribute 10 percent, while the investor would bring 90 percent.

Willy Obiano

The project which covers the design, financing and construction of housing units, sights and services required of a standard Housing Estate including roads, water facilities, power projects among others was to be ready within eighteen months.

Gov Obiano who performed the flag off of the project, said this brings to eight, the total number of companies his administration has signed on in real estate development in the state, to build about 120,000 housing units.

The governor noted that with the adequate security of lives and property which his administration has put in place, a lot of people are now relocating to Anambra, a development that presents the challenge of inadequate housing facilities, hence the increased efforts of his administration at providing housing services for citizens.

While thanking the investor for partnering the State on the project, the governor expressed hope that the construction phase will generate economic activities that will create wealth opportunities for the people to enable them stay afloat in the face of the present economic recession.

He urged other high networth Ndi Anambra to heed his administration’s call to bring their investment home, assuring them of maximum returns.

The Chairman of Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency(ANSIPPA) who is also the traditional ruler of Umuoji, HRH Igwe Cyril Enweze revealed that apart from its capacity to improve housing services to the people, the project will also contribute significantly to urban development and boost the state’s capacity to IGR.

The Commissioner for Housing and Urban Renewal, Mr Frank Offor, in his remarks noted that Housing remains a key enabler for the present administration which it has been able to attract so much investment in and his Ministry will follow through for effective execution.

The Chief Executive Officer of the investing company, Chief Annie Okonkwo acknowledged that Obiano’s greatest achievement is his ability to unify Ndi Anambra irrespective of party affiliations and galvanise them towards the state’s development, and assured that they were committed to executing the project within the specified time frame, pledging to continue to support the governor.