N3bn housing facility commissioned in Abuja

The place named Apo-Dutse Housing Estate comprises 49 houses in categories: eight units of three-bedroom terraces, 20 units of four-bedroom terraces and 21 units of four-bedroom semi-detached. A flat goes for N72.5 million. Each unit is floor through with vitrified tilling, en-suite bathrooms with ceramic tiles, POP ceilings and walls, spacious kitchens with granite countertops […]

The place named Apo-Dutse Housing Estate comprises 49 houses in categories: eight units of three-bedroom terraces, 20 units of four-bedroom terraces and 21 units of four-bedroom semi-detached. A flat goes for N72.5 million.
Each unit is floor through with vitrified tilling, en-suite bathrooms with ceramic tiles, POP ceilings and walls, spacious kitchens with granite countertops and spacious terraces. All the houses have one-bedroom en-suite boy’s quarters.
 Compounds and roads are covered with bitumen. Parking spaces are clearly marked and walkways well maintained. The project was executed in two years. The snag with the estate however, is it is located close to a large shopping facility so the whole place is dogged by constant gridlock. The main Apo road is congested. Those who may buy houses here will definitely contend with challenges posed by heavy vehicular movement.
The FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr John Chukwu who commissioned the estate on behalf of the FCT minister, revealed that FCT contributes 10 percent to the 17 million housing deficit in Nigeria. This he noted is as a result of FCT’s peculiar demographics stemming from daily massive influx of people. “The delivery of these houses clearly demonstrates the commitment of the FCT Administration to meeting the challenge of housing confronting the residents of the territory,” he said.
The minister reiterated that in order to bridge this gap, government promulgated espoused policies like Land Swap Programme, the social housing scheme and opening of new districts.
He said government has awarded contracts for the provision of infrastructure in 10 districts viz: Jahi, Kagini, Maitama Extension, Wuye, Mbora, Kyami, Guzape I & II, Wasa and Katampe to tackle housing deficit in Abuja. He disclosed that from 2010 to date, his administration has allocated a total of 136 mass housing plots to developers comprising property development companies, cooperatives societies and associations.
Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, Mr Reuben Okoya, said the project is a remarkable stride in the efforts of FCTA to meet the housing needs of residents and to lay a solid foundation for FCT economic growth.
Apparently excited, former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives Autin Opara who is chairman of AICL said it was good work. He described the estate as a remarkable strive by FCTA to meet housing need of Abuja residents noting that AICL is contributing to the economic development of Abuja.
He told guests that when he was made chairman, AICL was bogged by court cases and its joint venture agreements were encumbered but now, all that is gone as cases have either been disposed of in court or out of court. He called on FCTA to develop a way of making land available to the company so it can have competitive advantage with its products in the open market.
Welcoming guests, the Group Managing Director of AICL, Dr. Musa Ahmed Musa appreciated the support AICL has enjoyed under FCTA. He solicited continuous support and cooperation from the administration.
The Project Contractor, Mr Yunusa Yakubu who is Managing Director Lubell Nigeria Ltd said much of what was put in the work was indigenous. He stressed that world standards were maintained.
After the commissioning of the estate, the administration also layed foundation for the building of AICL Guzape Mall in Guzape District and AICL Executive Office Suites in Garki II District, Abuja.