Soludo laments Anambra poor housing data

The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, has expressed concern about the insufficient information on housing in the state.

He expressed this concern at the inauguration of the Anambra State Housing Development Corporation Board recently.

In a statement released by the Press Secretary to the governor, Christian Aburime, the governor, who bemoaned Nigeria’s millions of housing deficit, said that Anambra lacked adequate housing data.

The statement noted that the board, which was tasked with disrupting the system in a way that was consistent with the governor’s transformation agenda and the yearnings of Anambra people for proper housing, was chaired by the former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Emeka Sibeudu.

“Your functions ascribed to the corporation are so vast but we know everything about the commission is building housing estates, and all I am asking is that this is the time to build quality houses for Anambra people.

“The current estates are not what one would expect in a state such as Anambra. Our estates should be built with complete streets and pedestrian walkways. There can be no estate without pedestrian walkways. We appear to be the only people on the planet who do not build where people walk. It is not a livable estate if it is missing. People should be able to get out of their homes and go for a walk,” the governor stated.

According to Soludo, the goal is to create model estates with modernisation and expand to mass housing for workers and low-income earners.

He added, “We want our estates to be models in terms of drainage, pathways, a clean and green environment, having waste disposals. It should be a complete and end-to-end modernisation process.

“I would like to believe that in the future, this corporation will expand from building commercial houses to a mass housing development for workers, middle to low-income earners, and so on.”

The governor reiterated his desire to have a housing development specifically for the elderly, saying this demographic was often neglected and many of them endure feelings of isolation and silently die from their circumstances.

The Chairman of the board, Emeka Sibeudu, expressed his gratitude towards the governor for involving them in his transformation agenda.

He further assured that his team would be committed and determined in executing their duties.