Enugu approves slum evacuation, urban renewal plan

The Enugu State Government has approved the evacuation of the Agu-Owa and Ugbo-Lawrence slums in Enugu City as part of its urban regeneration strategy.

This was announced to Government House media after the State Executive Council (Exco) meeting presided over by Governor Peter Mbah on Sunday.

The government also sanctioned the establishment of relocation plots at Akpuoga Nike Estate to accommodate slum dwellers.

Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Gerald Otiji, announced the displaced families will receive a two-bedroom flat and a Certificate-of-Occupancy for the property.

“The Exco today approved the urban renewal and relocation of urban slums”.

According to Otiji, the government identified 25 urban slums in the Enugu metropolis and is starting with two pilot schemes and will be relocating the residents and families of those two slums.

“The pilot scheme will start with Agu-Owa at Trans-Ekulu and Ugbo-Lawrence at Independence Layout.

“Exco also deliberated on facilities that will be in the relocation site. It will all have paved roads, electricity, two-bedroom flat apartments, sports amenities, and other facilities.

“Smart School will be centred there and Certificates of Occupancy will be issued to the occupants and families that will be relocated. So, nobody is going to be left behind.

“The two pilot schemes are Agu-Owa and Ugbo Lawrence, which will be relocated to Akpuoga Nike Estate. It’s an enclosed estate with security and all amenities.

“This pilot scheme is going to be a new model and we ask our brothers and sisters that live in those areas to cooperate with the government to get the full benefits of these well thought out plans.

Also briefing, the Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Industry, Adaora Chukwu, announced government’s approval for the development of a property in Abuja, which has been dormant and underdeveloped for the past 10 years.

“Exco gave approval for a real estate development firm called Tout Moi Nigeria Limited, an indigenous real estate development company with a niche for luxury eco-friendly smart homes, to develop a piece of property that we have owned for the past 10 years in the Wuye District of Abuja.

“This is in line with the governor’s development agenda, which aims to optimise the value of unutillised moribund assets. This will probably give the state a return on investment of about 300 per cent.

“The proposed development model is to build luxury housing units, a total of 43 housing units, which will include high-rise apartments, terrace buildings and semi-detached buildings.

“It is also going to include a club house, a recreational centre, which, apart from selling the housing units, will create additional revenue for the state government as well,” she said.

On his part, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development counterpart, Lloyd Ekweremadu, said the Exco discussed the ongoing upgrade of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium where physical developments would be witnessed shortly and raising the Enugu Marathon 2025 to a truly international event.

“We had discussions about 2025 marathon in Enugu State. The focus this time is to bring the marathon in line with international standards.

“The ministry is working towards potentially getting it accredited by the World Athletics Federation and putting it on the annual calendar,” he stated.