The Anambra State Government has expressed concern over the growing housing shortage and rising rental costs across the state, announcing plans to formulate a mass housing policy in collaboration with private investors to boost housing availability and make accommodation more affordable.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Law Mefor.
According to Mefor, the decision was reached during a meeting of the Anambra State Executive Council held on Monday at the Light House in Awka.
He explained that the council resolved to address the housing deficit by encouraging partnerships between the government and the private sector to increase the supply of residential properties and help curb escalating rent prices.
The council also proposed legislation aimed at protecting public infrastructure and regulating scrap metal businesses in the state. The proposed law would require scrap dealers, including operators involved in the sale of scrapped vehicles, to obtain licences before carrying out their activities.
Mefor said the initiative was prompted by increasing cases of vandalism and theft of government property across the state, making stricter monitoring and oversight necessary.
In addition, the Executive Council approved a new requirement that companies bidding for government contracts must provide evidence of tax compliance as part of their prequalification process. The move, according to the government, is intended to ensure that businesses benefiting from public projects contribute their fair share to the state’s revenue.
The council further resolved to involve academic professionals from universities within the state more actively in project planning, implementation, and delivery. Officials believe this approach will help bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application while improving project outcomes.
Several infrastructure and development projects were also approved during the meeting. Among them is the construction of a floodwater diversion channel at Ezioko in the Oko-Nanka area of Orumba North Local Government Area, awarded to Lebtech Construction Ltd at a cost of N801.6 million.
The council also approved N279.49 million for the supply and installation of medical equipment and related accessories at the General Hospital in Oroma Etiti, with the contract awarded to Calyzid Ventures.
Another approval was granted for landscaping and external works at Nwafor Orizu College of Education, with Ozoh United Ventures Nigeria Limited receiving the N92.69 million contract.
The meeting concluded with members of the council observing a minute of silence in honour of the late Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor, a distinguished military officer from Anambra State.
The government noted that Obiakor served Nigeria in several senior military positions, including General Officer Commanding of 2 Division and Chief of Administration at Army Headquarters. He also earned international recognition as Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Liberia and became the first African to serve as the United Nations Military Adviser for Peacekeeping Operations in New York in 2008.