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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti has performed the ground-breaking ceremony of the 1,200 Housing units of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Renewed Hope Housing project in Umuahia, the State Capital, with the Governor thanking President BolaTinubu for approving the project.
Speaking at the project site at Ubani, along the Umuahia – Uzuakoli Road, Governor Otti disclosed that the initiative was a collaborative effort between the Federal Government, through the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), and the Abia State Government
Otti said the ground-breaking makes Abia the first State in the South East and one of the first five States in the country to partner with the President Tinubu-led Federal Government to do so.
He disclosed that the project was aimed at expanding access to affordable housing for residents of the State.
Governor Otti expressed appreciation to the FHA leadership for their commitment to the project.
The Governor reiterated his administration’s readiness to partner the Federal Government and relevant agencies to continue to deliver people-oriented projects that will enhance the welfare and living standards of Abians, stressing that such priorities are far more important to him than the distractions of politics, ethnicity, and religion.
Otti said before authorising the ground-breaking ceremony, all verified of the 900 landowners among the host communities that donated about 100 hectares of land for the housing project had been duly compensated.
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He advised those yet to receive payment due to bank-related issues or disputes over rightful ownership to resolve such challenges promptly in order to access their funds, which are already lodged in the bank.
“Over 800 out of the around 900 claimants have been settled in full. So, the remaining less than 100 people, please resolve your problem so that you can take your money. The money is sitting in the bank and is not earning interest for the State,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Housing Authority, Hon. Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo said the event was a way of cementing the commitment of realising the construction of the President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Housing programme in all the States of Nigeria.
“Our choice of kickstarting this project in the Eastern part of the country from Umuahia is very deliberate. Your Excellency, the hospitality and warm reception you gave to our management on Tuesday, 10th May, 2024, when we were visiting state Governors, soliciting for land for this programme remains indelible in our memory.
“Not only did you (Gov. Otti) readily tell us that your government has mapped out the land for us, you also promised to assist us in getting off – takers, true to your love of housing for your people of Abia state.
“Mr. President’s charge that the programme should be apolitical, irrespective of political affiliation was very clear and unambiguous.”
He praised the Governor’s infrastructural strides in Aba and other parts of the State, including the provision of land and prompt payment of compensation for the Housing project.
