Emmanuel to inaugurate low-cost housing estate before May 29

Ini Billie, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has promised to commission a low-cost housing estate for workers before he vacates office on May 29.

Speaking during the 2023 May Day celebration held at the Ibom Hall grounds in Uyo on Monday, Emmanuel said work on the project has reached an advanced stage.

“For the housing scheme, Chairman of Labour Congress, let me assure you that before I leave office on May 29, I am going to commission a medium housing scheme for workers. You might not know that we have gone far. As of today, we have done a whole lot of units, and trust me, we will commission that before we leave office,” he said.

While speaking earlier, Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Dominic Akpan had appealed to Governor Emmanuel for a 50 per cent deduction in workers’ contributions for affordable houses, saying the cost of available semi-detached houses was outside the reach of a civil servant.

Akpan argued that it would be impossible for a civil servant to afford a semi-detached house estimated at N7.5million, noting that it would mean the civil servant would have to pay for the house for a period of 20 years which would amount to N60,000 monthly deductions from their salary.

“In the last eight years and till now, no single civil servant has been able to possess or occupy any single house in what is known as affordable housing. We have mentioned always that these houses are too expensive and not affordable.

“A typical two-bedroom semidetached apartment costs about N7.5 million with an equity of 750, 000. A balance of N6,750,000 spread over 20 years periods and, this results in civil servants paying M60,000 a month for the property.

“Your Excellency, we have appealed that no civil servant can afford or survive this level of deduction from their minimum wage earning. TUC, therefore, call on government today to make a statement that the house would be discounted by 50 per cent for the civil servant,” he stated.