The Government of Benue State, through the state-owned investment company, Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) Limited, has taken over 116 housing units from the National Housing Programme (NHP) and transferred them to the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
Located on Welfare Quarters-Mopol Barracks Road, Makurdi, the NPH housing units are expected to provide affordable homes for civil servants and low-income earners. They comprised one-, two-, and three-bedroom bungalows and were handed over during a ceremony held at the Old Banquet Hall of Government House on Wednesday, July 1.
In his remarks at the takeover ceremony, the Group Managing Director (GMD) of BIPC, Dr Raymond Asemakaha, said the acquisition was in line with Governor Alia’s directive to make housing accessible to low-income earners, following concerns about the high rate of housing in Makurdi, the state capital.
“When we started the Eco City Estate, civil servants complained that the houses were expensive. So, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia, directed that we should have homes for low-income earners, and that is why we have done this investment,” Asemakaha said.
He disclosed that the houses would be allocated under a 40:40: 20 model of rent-to-own, allowing beneficiaries, particularly 40 per cent for civil servants, 40 per cent for the masses and 20 per cent for low-income earners, to acquire the homes through flexible payments spread over several years.
“These houses will be affordable for low-income earners and affordable to all to ensure inclusivity for the masses to benefit from the government of His Excellency through his inclusive vision,” the GMD added.
Meanwhile, the representative of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Pemi S. Tomitope, commended Fr. Alia for prioritising the welfare of Benue citizens through affordable housing.
He described the collaboration between the Federal and Benue State governments as a positive step, noting that the houses were intended to address the housing challenges faced by civil servants rather than to generate profit.
He also disclosed that under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Scheme, additional housing projects are currently under construction in Benue State.
