Stakeholders from the Akwa Ibom community in Abuja have thrown their weight behind the proposed housing estate initiative by Governor Umo Eno, describing the project as a strategic and inclusive intervention.
The housing scheme, which is expected to benefit Akwa Ibom indigenes residing in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has continued to attract commendation from community leaders and supporters.
Community Leader Applauds Initiative
A trustee of the Akwa Ibom community in Abuja, Comrade Tommy Etim Okon (PhD), praised Governor Eno’s vision, stating that the initiative aligns with his ARISE agenda and governance philosophy.
Okon, who also coordinates the ARISE for Renewed Hope Initiative in the FCT — a group backing the re-election bids of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Governor Eno — described the housing estate as mutually beneficial.
According to him, the project offers direct advantages to Akwa Ibom residents in Abuja while simultaneously providing the state government with attractive returns on investment, given the robust property market in the capital city.
Promise Made To Community
Okon revealed that Governor Eno had personally pledged to acquire land and develop the housing scheme during a meeting with the Akwa Ibom community in Abuja.
He dismissed criticisms from a few dissenting voices who questioned the rationale behind the investment, arguing that such opposition fails to consider the broader economic and social implications of the initiative.
Not A Giveaway Programme
Clarifying misconceptions, Okon stressed that the housing project is not designed as a handout but as a structured investment scheme.
He explained that the initiative is rooted in the ARISE agenda — Governor Eno’s social contract — which seeks to extend governance benefits to Akwa Ibom indigenes regardless of where they reside.
“The housing scheme in the FCT is carefully conceptualised and consistent with the ARISE and Renewed Hope frameworks,” he said.
Addressing Criticism
Responding to concerns raised by critics who argued that tax proceeds from the project would accrue to Abuja rather than Akwa Ibom State, Okon maintained that strategic investments outside a state’s geographical boundaries are neither unusual nor counterproductive.
He noted that investors, including Nigerians and foreign nationals, routinely channel capital into high-yield property markets like Abuja and even international destinations such as Dubai due to their strong return profiles.
According to him, Akwa Ibom State, as a federating unit within Nigeria, is well within its rights to undertake viable investments in the FCT after due diligence.
Economic Rationale
Okon highlighted the comparatively high rental yields and capital appreciation rates in Abuja’s property market, describing the housing sector in the capital as lucrative.
He argued that the Akwa Ibom Abuja housing estate represents a prudent diversification strategy capable of generating sustainable revenue for the state government.
Beyond financial returns, he added that the project would create employment opportunities and provide residents with structured pathways to homeownership.
Historical Context
He recalled that past interventions by former Akwa Ibom leaders had helped indigenes secure housing opportunities in Abuja during earlier federal monetisation programmes.
The new initiative, he explained, builds on that legacy by offering residents access to decent accommodation in prime areas of the capital, with flexible repayment arrangements.
Broader Implications
The endorsement of the Akwa Ibom Abuja housing estate underscores growing support among diaspora communities for policies that blend welfare considerations with economic viability.
As debate continues, proponents insist that the initiative reflects inclusive governance, fiscal prudence, and a strategic approach to asset development within Nigeria’s most dynamic real estate market.
Stakeholders say attention will now shift to implementation modalities, land acquisition processes, and financing structures as the project moves closer to execution.
