Managing Director of Anambra State Housing Development Corporation, (ASHDC) Chief Chike Anyaonu, has lamented the rot he met at the Corporation on assumption of office two years ago, saying that he is working hard to ensure that the Corporation lives up to its responsibility.
In an interaction with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council in Awka on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, Anyaonu said that 20 of the 22 estates which he inherited cannot help the Governor, or the government in improving, engaging and the delivery of Housing in the State.
In fact, he described one of the estates which houses the high and mighty in the state as a scam, in that the contractor failed to provide amenities required of it, but simply sold all the plots of land to prospectors and went away.
Seeing the condition of things in the corporation, he said, he established SOP (Usoro) which encapsulates all the processes one needs to go through to get what one wants from the corporation.
He particularly lamented the situation at Ngozika Housing Estate, phase II which he said that “Government used to scam our people”.
Lamenting the situation, Anyaonu said:”The contractor of Rockland Development Ltd was given the estate to enter into and develop, take over all residential plots but provide infrastructure necessary for people to come and live there. Non of these was done. People moved in and started developing the place on their own.
“Meanwhile, Rockland had gone ahead, sold all the plots, closed the books and handed over before I came.
“What is happening now is that people are developing the place on their own, without government coming to their aid, providing all those infrastructure Rockland ought to provide.
“As a result, we have not been going to that place to collect our fees because it would have been shameful “.
Nevertheless, Anyaonu said he has secured the approval of the board to construct one kilometre Road in the Estate and put streetlights.
He said, that strictly speaking only two Housing Estates are working, namely: Udoka Housing Estate, Awka and another at Fegge Bridge head.
However, he noted that the Corporation is not resting on its oars to deliver on its mandate as he has reorganised the corporation and put the right pegs in the right places.
Commending Chief Anyaonu for availing himself for the interaction which was held in the April meeting of Correspondents’Chapel, chairman of the Chapel Chief Chuks Ilozue said that apart from the primary function of the press which is to inform, educate and entertain, it is the duty of the press to hold government accountable to the people.
He urged him to strive to turn things around in the corporation so as to etch his name in the annals of history.
Anyaonu was accompanied to the interaction by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Ernie Onwumere and the Public Relations Officer of the Corporation Mrs. Jane Okafor.
Independent
