The Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) has officially taken over 116 housing units of National Housing Programme from the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development on behalf of the Benue State Government, with the estate expected to provide affordable homes for civil servants, masses and low-income earners and the masses for inclusivity of his administration.
The housing estate, located along the Welfare Quarters-Mopol Barracks Road in Makurdi, comprises one, two and three-bedroom bungalows and was formally handed over during a ceremony held at the Old Banquet Hall of Government House.
Speaking at the event, the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha,CFA, said the acquisition was in line with Governor Hyacinth Alia’s directive to make housing accessible to low-income earners after concerns were raised to reduce high rental within Makurdi over the cost of homes at the Eco City Estate.
“When we started the Eco City Estate, civil servants complained that the houses were expensive, so His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia directed that we should have homes for low-income earners, and that is why we have done this investment,” Asemakaha said.
He disclosed that the houses would be allocated under a 40:40: 20 model of rent-to-own model, allowing beneficiaries, particularly 40% for civil servants, 40% masses and 20 % to acquire the homes through flexible payments spread over several years.
While directing the conversion of a unit for an outpost station of the Nigerian Police Force, the GMD disclosed that the initiative is designed to reduce high rental in Benue and close gaps of housing deficits.
“These houses will be affordable for low income earners and affordable to all to ensure inclusivity for the masses to benefit from the government of His Excellency through his inclusive vision,” he added.
Representing the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Director and Head of Building and Housing, Quantity Surveyor Pemi S. Tomitope, commended Governor Alia for prioritising the welfare of Benue citizens through affordable housing.
Tomitope described the collaboration between the Federal and Benue State governments as a positive step, noting that the houses were intended to address the housing challenges faced by civil servants rather than generate profit.
He also disclosed that under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Scheme, additional housing projects are currently under construction in Benue State.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by the Acting Head of Civil Service, Dr. Eunice Ogbenyi Ihu, said the housing estate would significantly ease the accommodation challenges confronting civil servants in the state.
She also commended the state government for fulfilling its promise to immortalise the late Head of Service, Dr. Agbogbo Ode.
Representing the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Alfred Berger, the Deputy Majority Whip, Dr. Simon Gabo, praised the state government for providing affordable housing opportunities for workers.
In his keynote address, the Branch Manager of the Federal Mortgage Bank, Godwin Yange, explained that prospective beneficiaries would obtain allocation documents from BIPC, after which the bank would verify their contributions to the National Housing Fund to determine their eligibility for mortgage financing within timeline.
