The Federal Government has officially handed over 116 housing units to the Benue State Government as part of efforts to reduce the state’s housing deficit and provide affordable homes for civil servants and low-income earners.
The housing estate, initially developed under the National Housing Programme, was acquired by the Benue Investment Property Company (BIPC) for distribution under a structured ownership plan aimed at easing the pressure of rising rents in the state capital.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, represented by the Director of Public Building and Housing Development, Femi Temitope, commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his commitment to infrastructural growth and social welfare initiatives.
He described the project as a reflection of collaborative efforts between federal and state authorities to improve living conditions for Nigerians.
Following the formal transfer, the Acting Head of Civil Service in Benue State, Eunice Ogbenyi-Ihu, said the estate had been secured by the state government specifically to benefit civil servants, with allocations to be conducted transparently.
She added that the housing units would also be named in honour of the late Head of Service, Dr. Moses Agbogbo Odeh, in recognition of his service to the state.
The Group Managing Director of BIPC, Raymond Asemakaha, explained that the housing scheme is designed to accommodate different income levels, noting that while the estate will serve low-income earners through rent-to-own arrangements, other parts of the project, including four-bedroom duplexes, are targeted at higher-income buyers.
According to the state government, beneficiaries will be given the option of rent-to-own or outright purchase, depending on their financial capacity.
Officials said the initiative is aimed at bridging the housing gap, improving welfare for workers, and expanding access to affordable housing within Benue State.
