Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Abia State Government has approved the construction of housing estates across the state for civil servants and other members of the public.
The State Executive Council also approved plans to regulate electricity distribution, as the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA) is expected to issue an order, before the end of January, to regularise all electricity activities in the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this during a press briefing in Umuahia, explaining that the move to regulate electricity distribution followed the final transfer of regulatory authority from the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to ASERA.
He recalled that the state government acquired the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) late last year to assume control of electricity distribution in the remaining eight local government areas outside the Aba Power fenced zone.
On housing, Prince Kanu said the Ministry of Housing would soon flag off the construction of the Civil Service Commission Pocket Layout Estate in Umuahia, adding that agreements had been reached with private developers for the development of several housing estates across the state.
According to him, the housing estates will be developed through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, noting that Governor Alex Otti is deeply committed to the project.
He said: “In line with the Governor’s vision to provide for the welfare of Abia citizens through access to decent housing, the Ministry of Housing will soon flag off the construction of the Civil Service Commission Pocket Layout Estate in Umuahia.
“This project will provide quality and affordable housing for Abians. In addition, the Ministry is in advanced discussions with private developers under the PPP model for proposed estates at Mbaisii and Mgbarakuma-Ubakala in Umuahia.
“The Ministry is on the verge of signing the necessary agreements to enable the developers move to site without delay.”
On electricity regulation, Prince Kanu assured that the state government would protect electricity consumers from exploitation and poor service delivery.
“As the statutory regulator of all electricity sector activities in the state, ASERA will issue an order to ensure faster resolution of consumer complaints, stronger consumer protection, improved service delivery, and a fair balance between operators and electricity consumers,” he said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Housing, Architect Chiemela Uzoije, explained that the Civil Service Commission Pocket Layout Estate, though named after its former location, would not be exclusive to civil servants.
He said the estates were designed to be affordable and accessible to all Abians, in line with Governor Otti’s resolve to change the narrative around public housing in the state.
“The estate is called the Civil Service Commission layout simply because it is located at the former Civil Service Commission premises. It is not for civil servants alone; it is for the generality of Abians,” Uzoije said.
He revealed that the state had already commenced housing development in collaboration with private developers, citing an ongoing project at Obehie in Ukwa West Local Government Area.
“That project is a site-and-services scheme where the developer, working with the state government, develops the estate infrastructure. The plots will then be allocated to individuals to build,” he explained.
According to him, the former Civil Service Commission premises will be transformed into a modern estate with blocks of flats, semi-detached duplexes, and standard duplexes targeted at middle-income earners and a segment of high-income residents.
“We want to introduce a new narrative into the housing sector because, as it stands, Abia does not have many functional housing estates,” he said.
Architect Uzoije further noted that a combination of development models would be adopted, with the PPP model already in use at Obehie, Ukwa West, and planned for Mgbarakuma and parts of Ubakala.
“For estates within the city, the government will handle construction directly because of their impact on job creation and economic activities. For others, the government will provide land and actively participate in implementation and management to ensure timely delivery,” he added.
