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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State Government, through the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited, (BIPC) has flagged off the construction of 1,080 housing units in Makurdi, the state capital, as part of measures to address the housing deficit faced by residents.
The project, named Eco-City Estate, and located at the former Benue Brewery Limited, BBL Quarters, was meant to ensure sustainable and affordable housing for residents in the state.
Speaking during the flag-off, the state governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, said the Eco-City aligns with his administration’s vision to transform the state to meet with other developing cities across Nigeria.
Governor Alia, who spoke through his deputy, Sam Ode, commended the management of BIPC for championing part of the revolution that is going on in his administration.
“Never in the history of our state have we seen this investment arm of our government perform in the manner that Dr Raymond Asemakaha is doing. The Benue people are testifying with the establishment of businesses across the state. It is heartwarming that we found a square peg in a square hole.”
He said the state governor was poised to reposition the state to align with other developing cities and states in the country.
Alia stated that the ongoing dualisation of the Wurukum Roundabout – Gboko Road project, which is close to the estate, would enhance easy access to the estate.
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He advised that, “For those who are wise, the BIPC Eco-City is where to do your business. By the time the road is dualised, from here to the airport will take like 10 minutes. I am encouraging investors, especially Benue citizens, to subscribe to this smart city. It will be an estate that will conform to the modern trends in housing.
“We are calling on investors to come in quickly and see how they can be off takers of this important project. There are two hectares here and two in another location…”
We want Benue indigenes to be part of these gains of our government.
Group Managing Director (GMD), BIPC, Dr Raymond Asemekaha, who has a brief of the project said it is expected to bridge the housing gap and the high cost of accommodation in the state, particularly in Makurdi, the state capital.
Asemakaha said: “We are starting with 32 units, the next phase will be 48 units and we also have the 30 hectares of land that will have 1,000 housing units. For the duration of completion, we are looking at one year, this will be done within six months and the other phase, within 24 months.”
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Deborah Aber, said it was worth commending that BIPC seeks to bring to the Benue State capital modern and affordable housing.
She said: “It is, indeed, heartwarming that we are alive to witness this. The MD said the project was meant to squash the prices of rents in the town and what I heard is that this is just the beginning and that there would be several of this kind of estate and it would be designed to cut across all classes of persons in the state to enable more people subscribe to be beneficiaries of the project.”
She congratulated Governor Alia on the project and the BIPC team for their efforts, urging them to ensure that the project was delivered timely..
