Benin Street Estate Condition Worries Stakeholders

Stakeholders in the building environment have expressed worry over the deteriorating state of the Benin Street low cost housing estate in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt, which has been occasioned by the continous silence of the Rivers State Government in taking over the estate.

A building contractor and the chairman of a civil engineering firm in Port Harcourt who does not want his name published, told The Tide  that the reason for the present state of Benin Street estate was the response of government to the entire development process of the estate.

He said that the Rivers State Government as at the time of completion of the first phase of estate, refused to pay the contractors, adding that these contractors had to fall-back on leasing or giving out these apartments to their friends and relatives, since it had not been handed over to government.

According to him, these contractors had preferred to keep watch over the buildings through their close associates, until they settle with the government, even though the project is not 100 percent completed. They expressed worries over the present deplorable state of the estate.

On his part, Mr.Paul Woke, an estate survegor and valuer posited that the estate is depreciating in value due to long time neglect, pointing out that no maintenance work had been carried out by those who occupy the place, since they are not certain about the next move government will make.

Mr. Woke likened the estate to a woman who has lost attraction, due to lack of maintenance, and also urged government to take it over and put it to proper use.

Corlins Walter