The governor of Abia state, Chief Theodore Orji has laid the foundation stone of the Ochendo housing scheme targeted at civil servants in the state.
The project is a public private partnership initiative between the Abia state government and the Aso Investment Development Company and is expected to produce 400 housing units of 2 and 3 bedroom bungalows in the first phase.
Performing the ceremony at the Amauba housing estate at Avodim, Ubakala , the governor, chief TA Orji said it is the wish of his government to fulfill the Millennium Development Goals in the area of affordable houses for the people of the state.
He said that government has that at the back of its mind when it embarked on the building of the Amokwe, Amauba housing estates and the commissioner’s quarters.
According to him, the government has also commenced the housing needs in governance by embarking on the worker’s secretariat, the international conference center and the new government house.
The governor said that under the arrangement, the government will provide the land and infrastructure while the private investor will be responsible for financing the project.
Chief Orji stated that beneficiaries of the houses which will be sold at moderate cost will come from salaried workers on a negotiated mortgage agreement adding that buyers will pay by installments.
He called on the private sector partner to ensure that the houses are delivered on time.
In his speech, the commissioner for housing, Okezie Orji said the state is poised for growth in the housing sector as the new estate will be part of a scheme of houses that have been built by the government and thanked the Aso investment and development company for assisting the state.
Speaking, the vice chairman of the Aso investment and Development company,Mr. Collins Chikeruba said that the company has done a lot in providing low cost houses and disclosed that the company will collaborate with the Abia state government to develop 28 hectares of land in the state.
He said that the project which is targeted at civil servants and low income earners will be developed in 7 phases with the first 50 houses completed in the next 12 months, adding that beneficiaries of the scheme will enjoy mortgages at 6% interest rate.