In its commitment to providing an affordable housing for citizens under the Public-Private Partnership, the Cross River State Government says it intends to provide 7,500 units of houses to her citizens before the end of 2011.

Mrs. Roseline Achonwa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Mortgage Finance and Estate Development, who stated this at a briefing in Calabar, said: "What we have set as target for ourselves is to promote and facilitate at least 7,500 housing units before the end 2011."

Mrs. Achonwa said this is in fulfillment of the governor’s campaign promises of providing affordable housing for the people of the state and added that the government will also provide access to mortgage financing to enable the people qualified to own the houses when completed.

She said: "Construction has already begun in the Akpabuyo Housing Estate and that the work is in phases with the first phase ready to be completed before soon.

She disclosed that the state entered into partnership agreement with the Aso Saving and Loans Ltd toward the end of 2010.

"They are the financiers of the project through their subsidiary ‘the Aso Investment and Development Ltd. The housing estate has 610 housing units with 136 1-bedroom units, 67 2-bedroom units, 96 semi-detached three-bedroom units and 65 three-bedroom detached units."

"There is also provision for recreational and essential facilities such as fire service, shopping complex, roads and water among others in the estate, ‘’ she said.

She further disclosed that a N600 million contract has been signed for the provision of roads and drainages in the estate.

"Also, N85.5 million has been for setaside for electrification; N25.4 million for water; and compensation to the communities is N151 million," she added.

She, however, appealed to the communities to allow the contractor carryout their jobs in the interest of the development of the state.

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Source: The Nation