How Governor Umo Eno’s Housing Programme Sprouts Estates Like Mushroom in Akwa Ibom State
By Imoh Etimudo
How does it sound to hear that a civil servant on Grade Level 2, for instance, owns fully a furnished two-bedroom apartment? Strange! That is the story of 175 civil servants in Akwa Ibom State on Grade Level 1 – 7 who are beneficiaries of the free housing programme of the Akwa Ibom State Government. They found grace at Grace Estate, a 236 unit of two-bedroom apartments located at Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.
Governor Umo Eno’s revolution in housing development is multi-pronged with a bottom-to-top approach where there is something for everyone across social and economic status.
Governor Eno’s extraordinary success in the housing sector began with the ordinary people where 438 houses have been built for indigent and vulnerable members of the society under the ARISE Compassionate Homes. 355 of these homes have already been completed and delivered to the beneficiaries, sheltering them from the torrential rains of homelessness.
Details on the housing programme by the Commissioner for Housing Development, Dr Henry Archibong reveals that there are many “mansions” in Governor Eno’s Housing Estates.
It protects the poor and reaches the rich. There is the Ewet Luxury Garden in Uyo, a world-class residential estate for high-end users. It has fully detached five-bedroom duplexes with boy’s quarters, alongside premium amenities including a club house, gym, swimming pool, recreational areas, internal road networks, a 24-hour security. The estate which is at 80 percent completion has 35 units completed and ready.
The housing revolution comes with attendant economic impact. This is more pronounced in the aviation village housing estate where some indigenes of Ndon Ebom in Uruan Local Government Area are already counting their gains, and thanking Governor Umo Eno for giving them a source of livelihood. David Edet now feeds his family from the money he makes working at the construction of the estate. As the Community Liaison Officer (CLO), Edet enumerated fellow indigenes of Ndon Ebom who have benefitted from the housing project.
Kindness Sunday, a bricklayer, is one of such beneficiaries. According to Kindness, the job has been kind to his finances.
Mr Ofonime Asukwo had to leave his former place of work, “China” an aluminium company to work at the housing project. He is happy that in addition to making more money, the new job gives him time to go to church.
The over 100 workers at the project site have their different testimonies working at 100 units housing project where Governor Eno is equally using to produce millionaires through awarding them contracts on the housing project.
The aviation village housing estate, located within the Victor Attah International Airport corridor will provide accommodation for critical aviation personnel across 12 key parastatals, which includes 2 and 3 bedroom flats with essential facilities.
Other components of the Governor Eno Housing Programme include the Judiciary Quarters along Idongesit Nkanga Avenue and the House of Assembly/Exco Quarters at Dakkada Luxury Estate which is intended to provide official residences for judicial officers, legislators, members of the State Executive Council and other public office holders with maximum security.
The housing programme spares none, in the positive sense of the word. Construction of official residences for Local Government Chairmen across the State are ongoing. That of Eket Local Government Area had since been delivered and put to use.
Governor Eno believes that shelter is a basic need that defies class and social rung. That is why everyone is caught in the web of the housing scheme from the lowly to the high ranking. The estates in the State are meant to meet these strategic housing needs of the people, and add value to the urban renewal and tourism development drive of the State which has turned the State into an emerging global destination.
It is housing programme with many mansions available for all classes of people.
