We’ll Support Initiatives To Aid Affordable Housing, Ikpeazu Assures Abians

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State says his administration will, at all times be prepared to support any initiative that will make life better for people of the state especially in the area of the provision of affordable housing.

While underscoring that housing remains a critical need of citizens, the Governor said as a responsible government, his government is willing to partner with individuals or corporate organizations to achieve this purpose.

He stated this on Wednesday while receiving in audience, a delegation from the Nigerian Institute for Nigerian Languages Aba Agro-Allied Investment Multipurpose Cooperative Society (NAAIMPCSL) who paid him a visit at the Governor’s Lodge, Aba.

According to a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, the Governor assured the leadership of the Multipurpose Society of his readiness to work with them and ensure that their dream project, the 1000 housing units is achieved.

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The state chief executive further directed the Managing Director of the Abia State Housing and Property Development Corporation to work closely with Multipurpose Society to make the project a reality.

The release added, “He thanked the members of the Society for their decision to come together to seek mutual benefits, recalling his days as a University Teacher when he served as Secretary of a similar association at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

“The Governor also expressed his thanks to the management of the Nigerian Institute for Nigerian Languages Aba for making the institution become more relevant in our national life, especially in the area of professionalizing the teaching and study of our indigenous languages. The Governor made it clear that until we begin, as a nation, to accord pride of place to our indigenous languages and work towards the teaching and learning of sciences in vernacular, we will continue as a nation to grapple with developmental challenges.

“He thanked the Federal Government for its continued support to the institute and for ensuring that they are using their permanent site located along the Opobo – Azumini Road in Obingwa LGA.

“Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Executive Director of the Nigerian Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), Aba, Professor Obiajulu Emejulu told the Governor that they came to see the Governor to seek his kind intervention in the provision of land for the proposed 1000 Housing Units Project of the NINLAN Aba Agro-Allied Investment Multipurpose Cooperative Society.

“The Society, according to the Professor, is made up of a staff of the Institute and set up to help members cultivate the habit of savings as well as achieve other feats ranging from housing projects, loan facilities and other necessities of life.

“The Executive Director told the Governor that their Cooperative Society has keyed into the National Housing Program of the Federal Government under the Cooperative Housing Scheme through the Cooperative Mortgage Bank. One of the pre-conditions which will enable them to enjoy the full benefits of the scheme is the provision of land through the State Government.

“The proposed 1000 Housing Units will have one, two, and three-bedroom units to be built by the Bank and sold by way of a loan to the members with a repayment plan of between 10-25 years.

“He also told the Governor that over 400 of their members have indicated an interest in the scheme and that they were open to receive other cooperative societies, especially from the State Civil Service. Indigenes of their host community can also be accommodated in the scheme through their cooperative society.

“The project will, according to the Executive Director, create more opportunities for the community where it will be sited with an avalanche of economic activities and so many other openings.

“The Executive Director also informed the Governor that the National Institute for Nigerian Languages Aba has become even more poised to play key roles in the promotion of national unity through the teaching and learning of key Nigerian languages. He told the Governor that they now offer programs in up to 9 Nigerian languages. Their latest addition, he said, is the introduction of a Nigerian Certificate of Education, in a major Nigerian language and another course like Computer Science.

“Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Abia State Housing and Property Development Corporation, Arc. Alozie Nwankwo assured the cooperative society that the agency will work closely with them and provide them every necessary technical support to realize the project.

“The President of the Abia State Cooperative Federation, Mr. Lucky Nwaononiwu, and other leaders of the Cooperative Society were part of the event.”