By Emelam Udo Umuahia.
Abia state in a bid to tackle housing problems in the state is to embark on construction four Housing estates.
Of the four estates, two are located Umuahia the state Capital while one each is sited at Aba and Ukwa West respectively.
Okey Kanu, Commissioner for Information made this known at Government House Umuahia while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Alex Otti, the Governor.
He said discussions are on going with the developers and affected areas are: Valley view Mgbaraku in Umuahia , Mbaisii and Obehie in Aba and Ukwa west respectively.
n a major move to make Umuahia, the state capital a smart city, Abia State Government (ABSG) has embarked on many urban renewal and beautification initiatives including the relocation of illegal traders from Isigate to Okwulaga -Afara, Umuahia.
He said that the state government is on the cusp of relocating the illegal Isigate market to Afara, and further noted that part of the initiatives includes the construction of bus shelters within Umuahia among others.
“In continuation of the infrastructural development agenda of the state, the State government is poised to embark on a number of urban renewal and beautification initiatives that are geared towards making Umuahia, the state capital a Smart City.
The State Government is on the cusp of relocating the illegal Isigate market to Afara. The idea is to decongest the city centre in Umuahia.
” Please,be informed that land for the new market has been completed and compensation duly paid to the land owners . At this point, the building of a perimeter fencing round the market is ongoing.
“Like I said earlier, the relocation is geared towards decongesting Isigate and making way for the new bus terminal and other transport and beautification projects around that part of the capital city,” Kanu stated.
Chaka Chukwumerije the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, in his contribution said that a lot would be happening in the housing sector in the state this year, and disclosed that the state government was embarking on housing project that is called the New Umuahia project .
According to him, the new Umuahia is located between Umuahia Tower and Ntigha in Isiala Ngwa Norrh LGA and it would cover about an area of 2,000 hectares, affecting about 19 communities at that corridor
He said that the public would be duly informed as soon as the paper works are completed.
