Idara Jerome, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Government has acquired and earmarked about 150 hectares of land across six locations for housing development, with 1,048 housing units currently at various stages of construction or delivery.
The Commissioner for Housing, Rt. Hon. Dr. Henry Archibong, disclosed this on Tuesday during a ministerial briefing in Uyo, saying the projects were targeted at different categories of residents, including vulnerable persons, civil servants, medical professionals and other public officers.
According to him, the housing programme covers social and affordable housing, institutional accommodation and residential facilities supporting key sectors of the state.
Among the projects are the 100-unit Aviation Village, Doctors’ Residence at the Ibom Medical City, Executive and Legislative Quarters, Judiciary Quarters and the ARISE City Social and Affordable Housing Estate at Mbierebe Akpawat in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.
Archibong said the Aviation Village occupies about 15,072 square metres and comprises 50 two-bedroom and 50 three-bedroom apartments. The project is 98 per cent completed.
He said the estate also has a model primary school, 70,000-litre water facility with reticulation, 7.131 kilometres of roads, electricity, a police station and solar-powered CCTV security system.
The commissioner added that Governor Umo Eno had directed that a secondary school be included in the second phase of the development.
At the Ibom Medical City, Archibong said the ministry was developing a residential facility on about 11.8 hectares comprising 50 three-bedroom bungalows and 50 four-bedroom terrace duplexes, alongside a model school and recreational facilities.
The project, he said, was about 70 per cent completed and was intended to provide appropriate accommodation for medical professionals and other beneficiaries within the medical city.
The Executive and Legislative Quarters at Dakkada Luxury Estate comprise 64 five-bedroom duplexes, with 32 units for legislators and 32 for members of the executive. The project is currently 40 per cent completed.
The Judiciary Quarters along Idongesit Nkanga Avenue, covering about 6.3 hectares, comprises 50 four-bedroom duplexes, each with two boys’ quarters, as well as security infrastructure, a recreational centre and conference hall. It is about 70 per cent completed.
For social and affordable housing, Archibong said 250 two-bedroom bungalows were being developed at the ARISE City estate in Mbierebe Akpawat, with the first 100 units expected to be delivered in December 2026.
He also disclosed that 438 of the 500 ARISE Compassionate Homes had been completed and delivered, while 150 of the 236 units at Grace Estate had been allocated to civil servants.
The commissioner said 35 duplexes had also been constructed at Ewet Luxury Garden, while residences for local government chairmen were being constructed across the 31 local government areas.
Beyond the housing units, Archibong said the projects were generating employment for between 5,000 and 6,000 people directly and indirectly.
He said workers on the various sites earned between ₦7,000 and ₦12,000 daily, depending on their areas of work, while artisans, suppliers, transporters, food vendors, POS operators and other businesses also benefited.
“The impact therefore goes beyond bricks, blocks and buildings. It extends to artisans, labourers, suppliers, transporters, food vendors, POS and other small businesses that depend on construction activities,” he said.
Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, said the ARISE Compassionate Homes were allocated free of charge to beneficiaries under a deed of gift, with each beneficiary also receiving ₦500,000 to support their livelihood.
He said the beneficiaries were selected on the basis of need and not political considerations.
Umanah also said the 150 units at Grace Estate were allocated free of charge to civil servants, including workers on lower grade levels.
On Ewet Housing Estate, Archibong said Governor Umo Eno had constituted a committee to assess the estate and recommend measures for its facelift and improved security.
He said the committee had completed its assessment and submitted its report.
Archibong acknowledged that the housing deficit remained a major challenge in the state, stressing that government could not meet the demand alone.
He said the ministry was strengthening collaboration with mortgage institutions, professional bodies, developers and other stakeholders to improve access to housing finance and expand the supply of affordable homes.
