By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Managing Director of Anambra State Housing Development Corporation (ASHDC), Chief Chike Anyaonu, on Tuesday said that he met 20 Moribund Housing Estates as well an unkempt and disillusioned worker on assumption of office 2 years ago.

Anyaonu who disclosed during an interaction with members of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ in Awka, the state capital said that out of the 22 estates he inherited, 20 of it cannot help the government in the delivery of a viable Housing in the state.

He decried the level of decay he met in the Corporation, saying that little or nothing meaningful was done to improve the already existing Housing Estates in the state.

The ASHDC MD described one of the estates known mostly as the domain of the rich and influential in the state as a scam, noting that the contractor failed to provide the necessary amenities required of an estate.

According to him, all the plots of land were sold to prospective buyers who then went ahead to build whatever they deemed fit with specifications.

He cited Ngozika Housing Estate, phase II as a case in hand saying, “Government used that to scam our people”.

“Seeing the condition of things in the corporation, I established an SOP which encapsulates all the processes one needs to go through to get what one wants from the corporation.

“The contractor of Rockland Development Ltd was given the estate to enter into and develop, take over all residential plots but provide infrastructure necessary for people to come and live there. None of these was done. People moved in and started developing the place on their own.

“Meanwhile, Rockland had gone ahead, sold all the plots, closed the books and handed over before I came.

“What is happening now is that people are developing the place on their own, without government coming to their aid, providing all those infrastructure Rockland ought to provide.

“As a result, we have not been going to that place to collect our fees because it would have been shameful “.

Nevertheless, “I have secured the approval of the board to construct one kilometre Road in the Estate and put streetlights.

“Strictly speaking, only two Housing Estates are working; Udoka Housing Estate, Awka and another at Fegge Bridge head.

“The Governor who in the spirit of making Anambra better has given us till June to tender our achievements in our various ministries. To that end, we are working non stop to ensure we revamp the Corporation. Good enough, the workers are now happy and doing their job well.”

While saying that the Corporation is not resting on its oars to deliver on its mandate, Anyaonu said that he has reorganised the corporation and put the right pegs in the right places and also ensure the Corporation lives up its responsibilities.

Commending Chief Anyaonu for availing himself for the interaction which was held in the April meeting of Correspondents’ Chapel, the chairman of the Chapel, Chief Chuks Ilozue said that apart from the primary function of the press which is to inform, educate and entertain, it is the duty of the press to also hold government accountable to the people.

He urged him to strive to turn things around in the corporation so as to etch his name in the annals of history.

Anyaonu was accompanied to the interaction by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Ernie Onwumere and the Public Relations Officer of the Corporation Mrs. Jane Okafor.

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