Members of Enugu State House of Assembly on Tuesday, visited the proposed site for ‘New Enugu City’ project to ascertain the true situation of things at the place.
The Lawmakers, led by the House committee on Chairman on Works, Housing and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Chima Obieze were received by the permanent secretary, ministry of Housing, Mr. Onugu Obiora.
The permanent secretary while briefing the lawmakers told them that the state government has almost completed the process of acquiring the lands for the project measuring about 279 hectares and works are currently going on to reclaim the land which is ravaged by flooding.
He also hinted them that the layout is categorised into; low density, medium density and high density plots. He also assured them that when completed, the new city will help to solve the challenge of accommodation in the state and also solve the problem of congestion in the urban areas.
“What we have here is 279 hectares and I’m happy to say that the Government has almost completed the process of acquisition of the land.
“The major problem we are facing in Enugu State is accommodation and you will agree with me that the urban areas are already congested and this will go a long way in solving the issue of congestion and over population in urban areas.
“As the name goes, New Enugu, I believe that in the future, it will help us to create more accommodation for the people of Enugu State which is very important to the government of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Hon. Obieze in his remark, thanked the Commissioner for Housing, the permanent secretary and the entire ministry for coming up with such a proposal at a time that Enugu city is battling with over population due to the influx of people to the state from some areas facing security challenges.
Obieze also thanked the Governor for his efforts in ensuring that the state is developed beyond the urban areas and his effort in setting up a committee to look at the issues from some members of the community.
He assured that: “Anyone that has a genuine claim and is captured by the committee, the state government will not rob Peter to pay Paul.
“This government is a responsive government and in the whole nation, governor Ugwuanyi is known as a peace loving man and a leader that has the interests of the people at heart.”
He also charged the Ministry to “continue doing what they’re doing because if the place is abandoned, it could become a hideout for criminals.”
