June 05, (THEWILL) – The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Francis Ori, has condemned the illegal occupation of the Amaeze and Izzo Housing Estates in Ishielu Local Government Area by unauthorized individuals.
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday in Abakaliki, the commissioner disclosed that the state government had engaged the police to enforce the eviction of persons who unlawfully occupied the estates.
He explained that the estates were part of a strategic intervention by the state government aimed at resettling residents displaced by the protracted communal conflict between the Amaeze and Izzo communities.
“Amaeze and Izzo Housing Estate is one of the flagship projects of the present administration, conceived as a lasting solution to the communal crisis in Ishielu LGA,” Ori said. “The estate comprises over 140 three-bedroom bungalows, with 70 units allocated to each of the affected communities.”
The commissioner said the housing estate is 98 percent complete, with the Ministries of Works, Water Resources, and Power currently finalizing road construction, water supply, and electricity connections, respectively.
He clarified that no formal allocations have been made so far, noting that the government is relying on records from the previous administration to identify genuine beneficiaries.
“The governor reserves the exclusive right to make allocations, and these houses are being offered as a free gift to the affected communities,” he stated.
Ori frowned at the encroachment by individuals who, without proper documentation or allocation, took possession of housing units within the estate.
“We have directed the police to remove all illegal occupants in order to preserve the integrity and purpose of the estate,” he said.
Beyond the resettlement project, the commissioner highlighted other critical housing interventions under Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration. These include the Ebonyi State Public and Civil Servants Housing Estate, featuring 140 duplex units currently at various stages of development, and the Widow Housing Scheme, which has delivered 26 three-bedroom bungalows across the 13 local government areas of the state.
He also mentioned the Nnodo Ekumenyi Palm Boulevard Estate, a modern residential complex with 162 buildings of varying sizes, event halls, a cultural centre, and a self-sustaining utility area providing power and water. Construction has commenced, with contractors already mobilised to site.
Ori further noted that the Ministry is intensifying efforts to enforce compliance with building regulations in the state, including mandatory approval for architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical plans, and the use of certified professionals in all construction works.
He attributed the state’s record of minimal building collapses to this strict regulatory approach.
On the issue of rising house rents, the commissioner acknowledged growing concerns and disclosed that the government is engaging stakeholders — including the Landlords’ Association and real estate agents — to address the problem.
He described existing tenancy laws as outdated and inadequate, and revealed that the Ministry had submitted a proposal to the House Committee on Housing for a review of the legal framework.
“In the meantime, we are advocating for fair rental practices, even as we acknowledge the burden of high construction costs on landlords,” he said. “Our ongoing housing projects are expected to ease the housing deficit, which should help reduce rental pressure in the long run.”
Engr. Ori reiterated the state government’s commitment to providing affordable, safe, and dignified shelter for all Ebonyians, particularly the vulnerable, while ensuring planned urban development and zero tolerance for illegal occupation of public assets.
Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
