…As estate developer begins 20,000 plots project at Nike
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Commissioner for Housing, Enugu State, Dr Martin Chukwunwike, has assured genuine investors willing to invest in the state, of Government’s full support.
Dr Chukwunwike who gave the assurance when he received in audience, a delegation of Blossom City Estate Developers led by the visioner, and National President of Igbo Women Assembly, IWA, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, said Government’s target “is to make Enugu one of the best three most developed states in Nigeria.”
The Commissioner said that Gov. Peter Mba “wants to grow the GPD of the state through aggressive infrastructural development,” arguing that the economy can only thrive when there is money in circulation.
He thanked members of the delegation for their choice of Enugu for the housing estate project with 20,000 plots of land.
The Commissioner who also supported the on-going advocacy for Ndigbo to begin to invest at home, assured of Government’s readiness not only to partner, but ensure that the project is successfully actualised.
“Thank you for this great vision. Truly, time has come for our people to think home. We need fundamental realignment.
“Our dear Governor, His Excellency Dr Peter Mba’s heart beat is to make Enugu one of the best three most developed states in Nigeria. By the time he is done building the Enugu New City, every Igbo man will like to live in Enugu.
“We are ready to partner with you. We will buy into the Blossom City Estate project. We will help you because when we are helping you, we are helping ourselves.
“Enugu State Government is open to every genuine investor. We will not hesitate to give you all the necessary assistance because our aim is to develop our state and make it the Dubai of Africa.”
The Commissioner also commended the IWA President for her passion about the economic revival of South-East, urging her not to relent in the crusade.
Speaking earlier, Lolo Chimezie, said that the major aim of the project was to halt the current mass exodus of Igbo youths migrating to different nations in search of greener pastures.
She warned that if no urgent and practical steps were taken to halt the dangerous trend, Igbo identity, language and culture would soon go into extinction.
The IWA President noted that part of the reason youths are deserting South-East is lack of needed facilities for business to thrive, hence the need for Government to rise to the occasion
She said they came to seek Government’s support and partnership to fast-track development of the estate project.
Lolo Chimezie said that the area located at Nike boundary with Udi, has accommodation for 20,000 plots of land out of which 1000 plots had been secured with the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), and design also acquired.
According to her, the intension is to make it a modern day estate that will come with everything needed including industrial park to provide job opportunities for residents, shopping mall, schools, banks, recreational facilities among others.
She also hinted of plans to build solar power as well as an independent power plant that uses palm kernel shells for constant power supply to the estate.
Lolo Chimezie who regretted that Ndigbo and their business interests had become targets of persecution and attack in parts of the country, said the estate would provide safe investment hub for them.
She called on Ndigbo all over the world to take seriously the calls to invest at home to avoid Igbo culture and identity going extinct, and also halt the incessant unwarranted attacks on their investments outside South-East.
“Part of the reason for Blossom City Estate is to help Ndigbo to begin to invest at home. Those who usually complain of lack of ideal environment and space for investment will complain no more because Blossom City Estate is the solution.”
“We know that the reason our diaspora population build houses in their villages which are usually occupied by lizards is due to absence of industries in our land for job creation. But we want to solve that problem through the Blossom City Estate project.”
She said that the estate had design for food market and food processing factory considering the strategic geographical location of Enugu and its close proximity to the Northern region.
Lolo Chimezie further explained that the choice of Enugu was informed by its centrality and easy accessibility from every part of South East.
She declared that if Ndigbo could replicate their investment efforts outside South East in Igboland, South-East economy would rebound as the leading world economy in a matter of few years to come.
She, therefore, pleaded with the State Government to assist by providing quick access road and electricity to the estate site, disclosing that perimeter fencing of the estate has been on-going.
Meanwhile, the State Government and the Blossom City Estate promoters, agreed to work out a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for mutual benefits.
Officials of the Ministry of Housing were well represented during the meeting.
