By Nneka Nwogwugwu
The governor of Kebbi state, Atiku Bagudu has flagged-off the construction of a Housing Estate of two-bedroom bungalows at Zauro for indigents and flood victims.
The governor performed the ground-breaking ceremony at Zauro, outskirts of Birnin Kebbi, on Thursday.
Bagudu, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Alhaji Suleiman Argungu, said the houses would be allocated to low income earners.
According to him, the flood victims and indigent persons will enjoy 50 per cent discount, adding that that basic amenities would be provided at the layout, including recreational facilities.
The governor said that the developers were directed to ensure timely completion of the project as scheduled, adding that it must also be in accordance with specifications of quality standard.
The state Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Alhaji Mahmud Warah, in his remarks, said the ceremony marked the inception of other housing schemes to be implemented.
The commissioner also explained that the state government had constructed modern markets in Ambursa, Jega and Argungu, adding that new stalls had been built at the new Birnin Kebbi market.
Mr Godflint Ike, the Managing Director of Ommi Frontier International Investment Ltd, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the programme, which started in 2017 as part of the International Goal Agenda for 2020 houses in Nigeria, was meant to address the shortage of housing in the society.
Ike said the project would be executed in other parts of the country, adding that Kebbi is the first to benefit from the North-West zone, comprising Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa and Kebbi states.
According to him, 70 per cent of the houses have been reserved for internally displaced persons, while 25 per cent would be distributed among vulnerable less privileged and civil servants at affordable costs.