The Enugu State Government has approved the construction of 19,000 housing units as part of efforts to tackle the state’s housing deficit and reduce the cost of accommodation.
The approval was granted during the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held at the Government House, Enugu, on Sunday.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ben Okoh, said the housing projects would complement the ongoing development of the New Enugu City project.
He said following the completion of the first phase of the 6.5-kilometre dual carriageway for the New Enugu City development and the ongoing construction of internal roads, the council approved the construction of 1,000 fully detached terrace housing units.
The units, he said, would comprise four-bedroom and five-bedroom homes.
“In addition to the 1,000 housing units, the state government is also developing 18,000 mass housing units at Gateway Estate in Enugu to further address the housing deficit and housing costs in the state,” Okoh said.
He added that the mass housing scheme would include essential infrastructure such as roads, water supply and electricity to create a fully serviced residential estate.
The commissioner also announced the approval for the immediate commencement of the 10.5-kilometre Igogoro–Amachara–Ikpamodo–Okpo-Amaada Road project.
He said the council had further approved intervention works at flood-prone sections of major roads in Nsukka, including the construction of five adjoining streets, extensive repairs to damaged drainage systems and the clearing of blocked drains.
“The project has been awarded to a reputable company for immediate execution,” he said.
Okoh also disclosed that the Executive Council approved the procurement of more than 30 pieces of light equipment for the Ministry of Works to support direct labour operations, emergency interventions and routine maintenance projects across the state.
He said the equipment would help reduce the cost of road maintenance and improve emergency response.
The commissioner further announced the approval of the completion and upgrade of Wings C and D of the Enugu State Secretariat Complex in GRA, Enugu, alongside the rehabilitation of Wings A and B, which are currently in use.
He recalled that while Wings A and B were completed and inaugurated in May 2015, Wings C and D had remained unfinished and deteriorated over time.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, said the council had approved three major tourism projects aimed at expanding Enugu’s tourism potential.
The projects include the Ovu Lake Golf Resort at Akpawfu in Nkanu East Local Government Area, the Akwuke and Attakwu Tourism Development Projects in Enugu South and Nkanu West local government areas respectively, and the Okpatu–Awhum Cable Car Project.
Madueke said the Ovu Lake Golf Resort would feature an 18-hole championship golf course, a luxury hotel with more than 100 rooms, a 600-seat conference centre, a boat regatta, landscaped gardens, clubhouses, children’s playgrounds and other recreational facilities.
She said the Attakwu Tourism Project would transform the area’s natural forest and lake into an ecotourism destination featuring an animal sanctuary and other nature-based attractions.
According to her, the Akwuke Tourism Project would include a modern sand beach, theme park, water park, scenic boardwalk and family recreational facilities.
Madueke added that the approved Okpatu–Awhum Cable Car Project would cover about 5.32 kilometres, linking the Cross of Hope on Okpatu Hill to the Awhum Waterfall.
She said the cable car system would have three stations at the Cross of Hope, Awhum Monastery and Awhum Waterfall, with supporting facilities including a rotunda, experience centre and food court.
