Interpol Systems Consultant, Sir Chikwe Udensi has said the proposed Federal Housing Estate to be sited in 140 hectares of land in Isiakata and Umunkwo communities Isialangwa North Local Government Area of Abia State may not see the ray of light if the government does not involve private sector into the project.
The proposed site is located near ASEPA refuse dump site along Umuahia-Aba expressway before Ntigha junction in Isialangwa North.
The proposed estate is to have a business and residential zone for all categories of people, recreational centres, police post, schools, health centres and other necessary infrastructure found in modern housing estates.
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The project ABN TV gathered is to reduce pressure in Umuahia city centre which is gradually witnessing a rapid population increase as a result of rural-urban drift.
Reacting to the development while featuring on a radio programme Open Parliament on Love FM Umuahia which was also streamed live by ABN TV and Radio on Wednesday, Sir Udensi said information available to him from the communities indicates that the government is in the process of acquiring the landed property, adding that the MoU has not been signed yet.
While stating that Umuahia requires enormous investment in landed property, Sir Udensi a chieftain of APGA and a leading governorship aspirant in the state wondered how the government will bring the project to reality without the involvement of the private sector.
“If we want to move forward and make it workable, we should ask the private sector to come in, so that they can replicate what happened in Lekki, even in Umuahia by Platinum Mortgage Bank.
“If you allow it in the hand of government, the tendency is that this acquisition may continue till the next 20 years and that is our experience.
“Let government not acquire that property, rather let it be acquired with government policies by private sector so that it will be done by the private sector.
“If you leave it in the hand of government, government may renege in all its agreements with the owners of the property and when that happens, they may have a problem in continuing with the project” he said.
He added that his interaction with leaders of the host communities indicate that they are ready to work with government provided it keeps go agreement.
He expressed scepticism that government will not keep to agreement, insisting that private sector partnership is needed.
