Govt to redress housing deficit in Bayelsa

Bayelsa State government has reiterated its resolve to build adequate housing estates to address the housing deficit suffered by middle class and low-class citizens in the state.

Governor Seriake Dickson’s special adviser on housing, Blesson Akpuluma, restated the government’s commitment in a chat with newsmen after a tour of Ayama and Okaka residential low-cost housing estates being built by the government.

While the Ayama housing estate built through direct labour comprises 150 housing units of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom flats, the Okaka housing estate executed through contract comprises 16 units of 12 flats each.

Akpuluma said the recent partnership between the government and the Bank of Industry (BoI) to spend N3billion to build 360 housing units was a demonstration of the Dickson-led administration’s desire to
provide affordable housing.
Under the partnership, the government would contribute N1billion as counterpart fund to access the BoI’s N2billion facility for the housing project. Out of the 360 housing units, 110 duplexes would be built in choice areas while 250 bungalows are to be located in high density areas.

The governor’s aide expressed the optimism that the administration would meet the housing needs of the people in no distant time.

Akpuluma noted that the housing estates when completed would also enhance the aesthetics of the state capital and its environs.

He therefore called on the people to support government’s effort at proving affordable low-cost housing units and also protect housing projects located in their areas.