The Nigerian Army in conjunction with the Otukpo Local Government Council in Benue State and Betoniq West Nigerian Limited on Thursday sealed an agreement to construct 221 units housing estate worth N7.5billion in Benue State.

Managing Director, Nigerian Army Post-Service Housing Development Limited, Brigadier General Mahe Bashir speaking during the agreement signing ceremony yesterday in Abuja, noted that the approval for the PHD project was given by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Buratai because the housing estate would be for Nigerians irrespective of location.

While noting that the project would be financed through public and private partnership, Bashir said facilities that would be available in the estate would include surface roads with asphalt cover, street lights, water and other essential facilities.

He disclosed that following the directive of the COAS, the 221 housing units will be made available to both military and civilian personnel at a ratio of 50-50 adding that the mode of payment for the houses would be made known at a later date.

Chairman of Betoniq West Nigerian Limited, Air Vice Marshal Monday Morgan (rtd) in his remarks, disclosed that the housing project would be completed in 24 months noting that construction would state with the 4 and 3 bedroom bungalows, and later the 4 and 3 bedroom duplexes before the detached houses will follow.

Speaking at the occasion, Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council, Hon. George Alli noted that the initiative to embark on the housing project which would be the first of such magnitude outside the state capital, was a result of the experience he got from working with the Nigerian Army PHD limited in the past.

Hon. Alli said apart from the fact that the subscription for ownership would be open to all Nigerians, the project would be of great benefit to the Idoma community as it would create thousands of job opportunities idle youths.

“It would reduce crime among youths. It would create wealth because internally generated revenue will increase and IGI will increase to the Otukpo LG as well.

He commended the Nigerian Army and Betronic under the chairmanship of AVM Morgan (rtd), who is a son of the soil for choosing Otukpo as location for the gigantic project.