Anambra teams up with Aldove in N8.4b duplexes

Awka youths halt Eagle Hill estate project
Determined to address the inadequate housing problems, Anambra State Government has signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the building of 300 new homes valued at N8.4bn ($30.04m) with a private developer- Aldove Limited.

Under the first phase of the scheme, the project is expected to be completed in 18 months and consists of four and five bedroom duplexes as well as 100 units of three bedroom flats on two and three floors.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Governor Willie Obiano explained that housing which is an important component of his economic blueprint, has attracted massive investments into the state with close to the $1billion threshold in the past two years and would continue to play a major role in the state’s quest for accelerated development.

“We reserved some choice locations in Awka for high rise buildings, ranging to 15, 20 and 25 storeys or more, facing the Golf Course. In our plans we leave out a good area for ambience and aesthetics,” he said.

He urged the investor to work according to specifications and ensure that the project is delivered within the specified duration.  Obiano also used the opportunity to announce plans by the state government to kick off the tree planting campaign, aimed at planting one million trees per annum.

In a remark, ANSIPPA Chairman, Igwe Cyril Enweze explained that the project was in line with the State Government’s economic objectives for housing, insisting that it would promote urban development, create employment opportunities as well as create activities that would enhance the State’s internally generated revenue.

Also speaking, the Chairman and Managing Director of Aldove Limited, Chief Maja Umeh said the decision to bring the investment to the State was motivated by their resolve to support the developmental agenda of the Obiano administration.

The Commissioner for Housing and Urban Renewal, Frank Offor, an engineer said the MoU is a major milestone towards the realization of Governor Obiano’s vision to provide affordable housing to all by the Year 2017.

Meanwhile, Youths from Amikwo and Agulu communities in the Awka capital territory, Anambra State, have stalled ground breaking ceremony of Eagles Hill Estate, Awka, a joint venture between the State government and a private estate developer, Topwide Ventures.

Speaking to newsmen, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, who is also the chairman of Ndichie of the Agulu Awka community, Chief E.C Umerah, said that the land in contention was jointly given to the Anambra State government during Chinwoke Mbadinuju era, by the Amikwo and Agulu communities for the purpose of building a golf course, which they believed was of over-riding public interest.

The traditional ruler of the community, Obi Gibson Nwosu, Eze Uzu of Awka, maintained that the community was not for any other negotiation concerning the 61 hectares of land than to take it back.

He claimed that either the state government or the private developer did not consult the community before commencing project, which was different from the one the land was donated.Efforts made to get the State Commissioner of Land or any other officials to respond to comment on the issue proved abortive.