…ground-breaking ceremony for June, project to be completed within 12 months

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has sealed a deal for the construction of 1,800 housing units in Benin City, with MIXTA Africa, a private property development company to boost the housing stock in Benin City, the state capital

The deal was sealed during a meeting between the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and MIXTA Africa’s team, at the Government House, on Tuesday, in Benin City.

Obaseki said the state has acquired 75 hectares of land for the housing project which would be sited close to the Benin Industrial Park, and assured that “The state government will provide the infrastructure for the project to ensure quality and affordable homes for our people.”

He said the ground-breaking ceremony for the housing project will be done by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in June.

The governor explained, “The plan is to provide accommodation for individuals who will be working at the Industrial Park as we anticipate that the park will create jobs.”

According to him, the housing project will boost local businesses in the state as some of the materials to be used for the project, such as ceramics, steel, roofing sheets will be produced locally in the state, noting, “We want to use the project to develop the supply chain of inputs that are locally produced in the state to grow our local businesses.”

He said the state government is in talks with civil servants on how members of the unions can access the National Housing Fund, with which they can benefit from the housing project.

He said that the state is also working with the Federal Mortgage Bank on the possibility of providing mortgage for civil servants to enable them key into the opportunities the housing project offers.

The Managing Director, MIXTA Africa, Mr. Kola Ashiru-Balogun, said the first phase of the project will commence in June and will be completed within 12 months.

Ashiru-Balogun said MIXTA Africa has a record of over 10,000 housing units developed across Africa and has decided to partner with the state because of the Obaseki led- administration’s drive for developmental projects, adding that payment plan for the houses would be for 24 months and above, on interest-free rate.

He added that “MIXTA Africa is discussing with financial institutions to see how arrangement can be made to provide longer tenured financing payment plans. We recognise the market and we will offer affordable housing. The governor has indicated that we use the project to create jobs.”

PHOTO 1:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle); his deputy, Rt.Hon. Philip Shaibu (3rd right); Executive Chairman, Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA), Ms Isoken Omo (second left); Managing Director, MIXTA Africa, Mr. Kola Ashiru-Balogun (3rd left); Director, MIXTA Africa, Mr. Daniel Font (left);Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie Esq. (2nd right); and Chief of Staff to Edo State Governor, Chief Taiwo Akerele (right) after sealing the deal to construct 2000 housing units in Benin City, on Tuesday, at Government House.

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