Imo to partner FMBN in 2,000-unit workers’ estate

IN renewed effort to improve the living standards of its citizens, Imo State Government has concluded arrangements with the apex mortgage institution to build over 2,000 housing units for workers.

The project, which will be executed with Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) will under the Imo Model Scheme and expected to provide different categories of houses for its workers in the three senatorial zones (Imo East, Imo West and Imo North), ranging from semi- detached duplexes and blocks of flats.
 
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, who disclosed this to journalists recently, after a meeting with the officials of the bank, led by Executive Director, Mr. Charles Ajifa, said the state government would provide about N10 billion, about 60 per cent of the cost, while FMBN would commit 40 per cent.

He also disclosed that the authorities of the FMBN would pay the developers and recover the money on behalf of the state government and itself.  The first phase of the scheme will commence 1,000 housing units.

The governor regretted that workers in the state have not benefitted from National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme such despite huge contributions made to the fund. Okorocha disclosed that the state government would provide land, good road network and other infrastructure in the areas.

The Executive Director of the FMBN, Charles Ajifa, said some housing units constructed already by the bank, would be handed over to state government soon, adding that state’s contributeion to the NHF has hit N1 billion. A committee was set up to carry the project.

Also, the Imo State Government has signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), with a foreign firm to build a 500 annual tonne capacity of Fertilizer in the Industrial Park in Ohaji/ Egbema Local Council of the state, to serve the needs of farmers in the state and beyond.

The Secretary to the State Government, Jude Ejuogu, witnessed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Lilian Asuzu, signed for the state government, while a representative of the firm, Mr. Nguyam Kim Tawo, signed for his company. The operations would commence in the next six months.