By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
The Benue State government has commenced the construction of 1,080 housing units under the Eco-City Estate project as part of efforts to reduce the state’s housing deficit.
The estate, located at the former Benue Brewery Limited (BBL) Quarters in Makurdi, is being developed by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC).
Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, said the project is designed to provide sustainable and affordable housing, adding that it will help address both the shortage of accommodation and the rising cost of rent in the state.
“We are starting with 32 units, the next phase is 48, and on another 30 hectares of land we plan to deliver 1,000 housing units. The first phase will be completed within six months, and the entire project in 24 months,” Asemakaha said.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, performed the groundbreaking ceremony and described the Eco-City project as part of his administration’s vision to modernize Benue and align it with other fast-developing cities across Nigeria.
He explained that the ongoing dualisation of Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi will improve access to the estate and encouraged investors, particularly Benue indigenes, to subscribe to the housing scheme.
“The BIPC Eco-City will conform to modern housing trends, and we want our people to be the first beneficiaries of this initiative,” the governor said.
