By John Oghojafor
The Delta State House of Assembly has passed a resolution for the state government to obtain a revolving bank guarantee in the sum of six hundred million naira from United Bank of Africa to facilitate the take-off of the construction of ten thousand housing units in Illah, Oshimili North Local Government Area.
The resolution was sequel to a request from the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa via a letter to the House read by the Speaker Honourable Sheriff Oborevwori at Tuesday’s plenary.
According to the letter, Governor Okowa’s request was for the House resolution on the State Executive Council approval for a six hundred million naira revolving bank guarantee from United Bank of Africa, UBA.
The Governor said he was desirous of providing a lasting solution to the biting residential housing deficiency in Asaba, especially among civil servants.
He said the state government had entered into partnership with Greenfield Assets Limited and her partner, Lafarge Holcim Africa Plc, for the construction of ten thousand housing units in Illah in Oshimili North Local Government Area.
The Governor said that the state government had already signed a memorandum of
understanding since February 2016, adding that government had met with some of its
obligations. According to the letter, Greenfield Assets Limited had requested the state government to provide a six hundred million naira revolving bank guarantee to mitigate the gap in the take-off of the project.
Governor Okowa noted that the fifth meeting of the state executive council in 2018 considered and approved the state government to secure the six hundred million naira bank guarantee from a
first class bank to facilitate the take-off of the project, adding that UBA has offered to provide the guarantee.
He noted that despite the state executive council’s approval, the State House of Assembly was expected to give its own approval via a resolution.
Opening debate on the governor’s request, the Majority Leader, Honourable Tim Owhefere and Honourables Daniel Mayuku, Anthony Elekeokwuri, Orezi Esievo, Pat Ajudua and Samuel Mariere lauded the state government’s initiative to provide ten thousand housing units to tackle housing challenges
They said housing was key to human existence hence the need for the House to pass the resolution in order to facilitate the immediate take off of the housing project, noting that at the end of the day, civil servants and other Deltans would benefit from the project.
The high point was the passing of the resolution by the House following a voice vote supervised by the Speaker, Honourable Sheriff Oborevwori.
