GroupWants Panel On Benin Street Estate

A group, the Mile Three Market Finished Building Materials Dealers Association ( FBMDA), has called on the Rivers State government to set up a panel over the Benin Street Housing Estate in Diobu axis of Port Harcourt so as to make the place comfortable for habitation.

The group also urged government to renovate all properties it owns to give them modern outlook with good finishes, and make them available for lease to public servants in the state.

Speaking in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, the Chairman of the Association, Mr Anayo Chikezie stated that it is meaningless for government to keep allowing the Benin Street Estate to waste like that, without taking adequate stand or decision to put it into proper use.

He said that the present state of the estate does not clearly define whether it is owned by the government or not, adding that the place now harbours all manner of persons, since there is no central control.

According to him, government is losing much revenue from the estate, given the high demand for housing and the cost of rentage, pointing out that a total take over of the estate by the state government would guarantee proper management and revenue to government.

The associations chairman posited that one of the crises that have worried Port Harcourt residents is where to live and how to pay their rent, adding that many civil servants in the payroll of government are faced with this.

Chikezie also called on government to have maintenance culture, particularly in ensuring that all their properties are maintained from time to time.

On the activities of the association, Mr Chikezie opined that there is cordial relationship between members of the group adding that the union always intervenes where members have misunderstanding.

He said the present leadership of the association is a listening one, and that the relative peace they enjoy is as a result of that.

The chairman maintains that the association is always in touch with the Nkpolu Police Station, especially in terms of the security of the area, adding that the union also maintained the services of security guards.

“In terms of welfare, we always intervene on police matters, especially when it involves our members.  We also contribute towards assisting our members in terms of burial and other vital issues”, the chairman said.

Corlins Walter