A’Ibom Constructs 800 Housing Units

The Akwa Ibom State Government has built 800 housing units in Uyo and Ikot-Ekpene to ease the housing problems being faced by people of the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal, Mr Bassey Esanng,  who made this known in an interview in Uyo said that another 1,200 housing units were still under construction at Oron and Ikot-Abasi in Eket Senatorial district bringing the number to 2,000 houses.

According to him, the State government has the interest of the people at heart.

“We hope that by next year, the 2,000 houses promised by this administration will be delivered, for now, 800 houses are ready for use in Uyo and Ikot-Ekpene,’’ he said.

He said that in spite of the government estate development initiative, Governor Godswill Akpabio’s administration had also created an enabling environment for private estate developers in the state.

Esanng identified the payment of compensation as a major problem faced by the State Government in the construction of the houses, adding that the intention of the State Government was to purchase and allocate the land to civil servants to enable them build their own houses.

The Permanent Secretary said this had not been achieved due to compensation related issues.

“Having paid compensation to the rightful owners of these land, different groups spring up with further compensation claims, consequently deterring those who have been allocated the lands.’’