Army plans N7.5billion housing estate in Benue State

The Nigerian Army has sealed a tripartite agreement to construct 221 units housing estate worth N7.5billion in Benue State.

The project, which is a collaborative effort between Post-Service Housing Development Limited with the Otukpo Local Government Council and Betoniq West Nigerian Limited, will be financed through public and private partnership.

Managing Director, Nigerian Army Post-Service Housing Development Limited (PHD), Brigadier General Mahe Bashir who spoke during the signing ceremony in Abuja, noted that the approval was given by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Buratai because the housing estate would be for Nigerians.

Bashir said facilities that would be available in the estate include surface roads with asphalt cover, streetlights, water and other essential amenities.

He disclosed that following the directive of the COAS, the 221 housing units will be made available to both military and civilian personnel at a ratio of 50-50 adding that the mode of payment for the houses would be made known at a later date.

Chairman, Betoniq West Nigerian Limited, Air Vice Marshal Monday Morgan (rtd), disclosed that the housing project would be completed in 24 months noting that construction would start with the three and four bedroom bungalows, and later include the three and four bedroom duplexes and detached houses.

Speaking at the occasion, Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council, George Alli noted that the initiative would be the first of such magnitude outside the state capital.

Alli said apart from the fact that the subscription for ownership would be open to all Nigerians, the project would be of great benefit to the Idoma community as it would create thousands of job opportunities for the idle youths.

“It would reduce crime among youths. It would create wealth because internally generated revenue will increase and IGI will increase to the Otukpo LG as well.

He commended the Nigerian Army and Betronic under the chairmanship of AVM Morgan (rtd), who is a son of the soil for choosing Otukpo as location for the project.