The Anambra State Government has unveiled plans to develop a mass housing policy through partnerships with private-sector investors as part of efforts to address the state’s growing housing deficit and rising rental costs.
The decision was among key resolutions reached at the second meeting of the Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) during the second term of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, held at the Government House, Awka.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Law Mefor, said the council expressed concern over increasing housing shortages and escalating rents across the state.
According to him, the government resolved to address the supply side of the housing market by increasing housing stock through public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements.
“The Council decried the housing deficit in Anambra State and resolved to address the supply side of the market to tackle the twin challenges of rising house rents and inadequate housing availability,” Mefor stated.
As part of broader governance reforms, the council also approved a policy requiring companies seeking government contracts to provide evidence of tax compliance as a prequalification condition for future bidding processes.
The government said the measure is aimed at ensuring businesses benefiting from public contracts contribute fairly to the state’s revenue generation efforts.
In another policy decision, the council directed greater involvement of academics and professionals from state-owned universities in the planning, implementation and evaluation of government projects.
Officials said the initiative would strengthen collaboration between government institutions and academia while promoting the application of research-based solutions to public sector challenges.
The council also approved plans to introduce legislation regulating the scrap metal industry and protecting public infrastructure from vandalism.
Under the proposed law, scrap dealers, including operators handling end-of-life vehicles, will be required to obtain licences before conducting business in the state.
The government said the move was necessitated by increasing cases of vandalism and theft of public assets.
Meanwhile, the council approved several infrastructure and public service projects across the state.
Among them is the award of an N801.7 million contract to Lebtech Construction Limited for the construction of a floodwater diversion channel at Ezioko in Oko-Nanka, Orumba North Local Government Area.
The council also approved N279.5 million for the supply and installation of medical equipment and accessories at General Hospital, Oroma Etiti, with the contract awarded to Calyzid Ventures.
In addition, N92.7 million was approved for landscaping and external works at Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, with the project awarded to Ozoh United Ventures Nigeria Limited.
During the meeting, council members observed a minute of silence in honour of the late Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor, a retired Lieutenant General and former United Nations Military Adviser for Peacekeeping Operations.
The government said the latest decisions form part of ongoing efforts by the Soludo administration to strengthen governance, expand infrastructure development and address socio-economic challenges facing residents of the state.
