The Commissioner for Finance, Rivers state, Hon. Chamberlain Peterside, says the private sector will always do better in the provision of adequate houses for the people of Rivers State.
Hon. Peterside made the remark at a dinner organized by the UACN Property Development Company plc (UPDC) at Hotel Presidential on February 28, 2012. Speaking with the journalists after the event, the finance commissioner acknowledged that government both at federal and state has not done well in the provision of affordable houses to the citizenry, stressing that the private sector could drive the process stronger.
He said even in the past, government low cost houses end up in the hands of the wealthy in government and those who could pay more, thereby ridiculing and defeating the purpose of such project.
The commissioner described the presentation of the concept of the UPDC as a landmark event and a portrayal of the recovery and the rebounding of the Rivers State economy, having faced with security challenges in the past three years.
On the agreement between the company and the Rivers State government, the commissioner said he could not give the detail now since his agreement was concluded before his coming into office. He admitted that the project would create jobs, boost the economy and encourage home ownership, and with the population of 1.5 million, be a vibrant market and an oil capital and prime city for West Africa.
Addressing the media, the managing director of UPDC Plc, Mr. Hakeem Ogunairium told journalists that there was a ground breaking ceremony of their new project, Vintage Garden City in Port Harcourt and it is necessary to introduce the project to prospective customers, hence the gathering at Hotel Presidential for the dinner.
Mr. Hakeem said that because of the business, it is vital to showcase and unveil the product by showing the various elements and the facilities in the buildings and to also give special pricing based on the fact that they come to spend this evening with them.
The managing Director said over the years the company has a good developmental business in Port Harcourt both in residential and commercial areas, but that for the past four years there were no new buildings, hoping that this time around things have to change for the better.
On the issue of creating adequate information to galvanize potential customers around the project, the managing Director said the first step was to bring would-be buyers together and to also create enough publicity.
Speaking on the affordability of the houses to the common man when it will be ready, Mr. Hakeem positioned that affordability is relative; noting that the estate is a premium one but hoping that in the near future they will provide houses that will be accessed by low income earners in Rivers State.
It could be recalled that the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Engr. Tele Ikuru, performed the breaking ceremony of the estate around Airforce base in Port Harcourt. ###
By Pius Dukor
