The Abia State Executive Council has directed the state Ministry of Housing to sanitise the World Bank Housing Estate at Abayi Umuocham, Aba and the Amauba Housing estate in Umuahia and embark on a number of remedial works to turn the fortunes of the estates around for good.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed in Umuahia
that the intervention will cover the estate’s infrastructure, including roads, while measures will also be taken to address activities contributing to its deterioration.

According to him, “EXCO has directed the Ministry of Housing to sanitise the World Bank Housing Estate at Abayi Umuocham, Aba.

“The Ministry has been mandated to embark on a number of remedial works to turn the fortunes of the largely deteriorating estate around. The facilities at the estate, including the roads, will be given a facelift.”

The Commissioner disclosed that the Ministry of Housing has also been directed to collaborate with the Ministry of Works to undertake rainy season maintenance works at Amauba Housing Estate, Umuahia, to improve accessibility pending the permanent reconstruction of the estate roads.

Prince Kanu added that the State Government had also provided a new transformer for the Amauba Housing Estate to alleviate the electricity challenges being experienced by residents.

He announced that the 35th anniversary of the creation of Abia State would be marked with projects commissioning and flag off, a clear departure from what obtained in the past.

Contributing on the planned intervention at the World Bank Estate, the Commissioner for Housing, Chiemela Uzoije, said an inspection of the estate revealed several forms of misuse and neglect, including street trading and farming along the roads of the estate, saying government was determined to restore order and upgrade the estate through improved infrastructure and better environmental management.

He explained that the rehabilitation would include improvements on the roads and the provision of street lights, while activities such as street trading and farming on the roads within the estate would no longer be tolerated.

On the proposed pocket housing layout in Umuahia, the Commissioner said the development would comprise detached five-bedroom houses with boys’ quarters, semi-detached units, and two and three-bedroom blocks of flats, providing a variety of housing options for prospective subscribers.

Architect Uzoije further disclosed that the Ministry would soon commence the process of registering intending subscribers through an Expression of Interest form, to be followed by the opening of a dedicated portal for payments.

According to him, the housing scheme will operate on a transparent, first come, first served basis and under an off-plan payment arrangement, with 30 percent payable at the commencement of construction, 40 per cent at about the midpoint of construction and the remaining 30 percent upon completion.

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