Benue Expands Affordable Housing with 116-Unit Estate Acquisition

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) has officially taken over 116 housing units under the National Housing Programme from the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development on behalf of the Benue State Government.

The housing estate is expected to provide affordable accommodation for civil servants, low-income earners and other residents, in line with the state government’s commitment to inclusive development.
Located along Welfare Quarters–Mopol Barracks Road in Makurdi, the estate comprises one, two and three-bedroom bungalows. The facility was formally handed over during a ceremony at the Government House in Makurdi.
Speaking at the event, the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, said the acquisition followed Governor Hyacinth Alia’s directive to provide affordable housing after concerns were raised about the high cost of homes at the Eco City Estate and rising rental prices in Makurdi.
“When we started the Eco City Estate, civil servants complained that the houses were expensive. His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, therefore directed that we should provide homes for low-income earners, and that is why we made this investment,” he said.
Asemakaha disclosed that the houses would be allocated under a 40:40:20 rent-to-own model, with 40 percent reserved for civil servants, 40 percent for the general public and the remaining 20 percent to enable other beneficiaries acquire the homes through flexible payment plans spread over several years.
He also directed that one of the housing units be converted into an outpost for the Nigerian Police Force to enhance security within the estate.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at reducing the high cost of rent in Benue and addressing the state’s housing deficit.
“These houses will be affordable for low-income earners and accessible to everyone, ensuring that the masses benefit from the inclusive vision of His Excellency’s administration,” he added.
Representing the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Director and Head of Building and Housing, Pemi Tomitope, commended Governor Alia for prioritising the welfare of Benue residents through affordable housing initiatives.
Tomitope, a quantity surveyor, described the partnership between the Federal and Benue State governments as a positive development, noting that the houses were built primarily to address the housing needs of civil servants rather than generate profit.
He further revealed that additional housing projects are currently under construction in Benue State under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by the Acting Head of Civil Service, Dr. Eunice Ihu, said the housing estate would help ease accommodation challenges faced by civil servants across the state.
She also praised the state government for fulfilling its promise to immortalise the late Head of Service, Dr. Agbogbo Ode.
Representing the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Alfred Berger, the Deputy Majority Whip, Dr. Simon Gabo, commended the state government for expanding affordable housing opportunities for workers.
The Branch Manager of the Federal Mortgage Bank, Godwin Yange, explained that prospective beneficiaries would obtain allocation documents from BIPC, after which the bank would verify their National Housing Fund contributions to determine their eligibility for mortgage financing within the stipulated timeline.