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Tag: Isoken Omo

  • Emotan Gardens: Obaseki set to handover first set of housing units

    The Edo State Government has said that all is set for the handover of the first set of housing units at Emotan Gardens to the beneficiaries as promised by the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

    Executive Chairman, Edo Development and Property Development Agency, (EDPA), Isoken Omo, disclosed this in a chat with journalists, noting that the agency and its joint-venture partner, Mixta Nigeria, are working round the clock to deliver on the project.

    She said Governor Obaseki will soon hand over the first set of housing units to some civil servants, including the Head teacher of Emotan Primary School, Mrs. Noragbon Osaru, in redemption of his pledge to them, and as a demonstration of the fact that the houses are indeed for the people.

    “We are excited that the governor will be handing over the first set of houses to some of the people he has promised housing units in the estate. With this, those who are up-to-date on their subscription are good to move in.”

    According to her, “We have made appreciable progress on Emotan Gardens. As anyone can easily confirm, a good number of housing units are ready for occupation. A lot of people are paying up; the subscriber base is growing and we are really excited.”

    Emotan Gardens, a 1800-unit affordable housing project, sits on a 70-hectare land in the Upper Sakponba axis of Benin metropolis, and is being promoted by the state government.

    The project is being developed through a joint-venture partnership between the EDPA and Mixta Nigeria, and is the first housing project by the state government in the last 16 years.

  • Emotan Gardens: EDPA, Mixta Nigeria assure steady power supply options

    As the Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA) and its partner, Mixta Nigeria advance on the delivery of the over 70-hectare Emotan Gardens project, the Executive Chairman, EDPA, Isoken Omo, has disclosed several options available for the provision of steady power supply in the estate.

    Isoken disclosed this in Benin City while addressing journalists on the level of progress recorded with the housing project, noting that the pace of work on the site has been impressive.

    She said, “we have about 68 housing units completed, and we are still counting. Our intention is to give out these units by the end of this year. What we are also doing is to make sure that the place is ready for the people moving in by December. The people will be able to live in them as soon as they get there. That is the unique thing about this estate.”

     She explained that EDPA and Mixta Nigeria are considering different options for power, as the promise is that the estate will run on 24-hour electricity, adding “The 24-hour power supply is a combination of options. So, we are looking at solar; we are looking at the national grid but with a different approach.”

    Read Also: Obaseki, Mixta Nigeria mull 50-hectare Golfing Estate in Edo

    She noted, “We have Ossiomo Power in Edo; We also have Azura Power Plant. We have been talking to them to see what our best option is. Power will be provided. There will be power, potable water and good roads. We intend to put internet and intercom as well. What we are offering is a lifestyle. All these will be provided. The plan is to regenerate the area.

    Emotan Gardens, is a flagship estate project being developed by the Edo State Government through the EDPA, with Mixta Nigeria, as joint-venture partners.

  • Obaseki showcases 1800 Emotan Gardens, land, education reforms

    With less than four weeks to the 27th edition of the Edo National Association Worldwide (ENAW) Convention, holding in Toronto, Canada, the Edo State Government is set to parade her achievements in the housing, education and other sectors at the event.

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, will lead the state’s delegation to the Toronto convention, which has become the single largest assemblage of Edo professionals and experts living and working in the diaspora, and forms a large part of the state’s critical mass.

    Read Also:Job Creation: Obaseki assures Edo youths of preference

    At a strategy meeting between representatives of MIXTA Africa, the joint venture partner in the development of the 1800-unit Emotan Gardens, and representatives of the state government, Executive Chairman, Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA), Isoken Omo, assured that a mix of engagement strategies would be deployed in the state government’s effort to meet the housing and other needs of Edo people in the diaspora.

    “The Edo State Government and her partners are upbeat about the Emotan Gardens and similar housing projects coming on stream soon. It is an opportunity many of our people have been waiting for to acquire decent housing through a very transparent process devoid of encumbrances,” Omo said.

    She explained that “the appeal of Emotan Gardens has been phenomenal, as would-be subscribers are just waiting for us to open sales. Governor Obaseki is passionate about this product and will be exhibiting it at the ENAW Convention.”

    Also, at the meeting, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, said “the governor will also be showcasing the technology-based teaching method, which is a component of the Edo State Basis Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) initiative.”

    The governor’s aide added that “Edo is the first and only state that has deployed the technology in public primary schools in Nigeria.”

    According to him, “Another sector that will feature in the governor’s presentation at the ENAW Convention is the peace being enjoyed by developers following the signing of the Private Property Protection Law, which has abolished the activities of Community Development Association (CDAs).

    “The sanity in the built sector now is beyond compare and we are happy to report a new era devoid of crisis over land and building construction across the state.

    “The abolition of CDAs was thought impossible considering the influence the members weighed and many Edo people could not build houses because of the activities of these misguided youths.”

    The four-day Toronto convention, the 27th in the series, will hold from August 31 – September 3.

     

  • Osinbajo’s visit: EDPA-MIXTA Africa intensify work on Emotan Gardens project

    As activities rev up for the hosting of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on a two-day visit, Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA), and MIXTA Africa, are intensifying work on the development of the 1800-unit Emotan Gardens.

    Executive Chairman, EDPA, Isoken Omo, in a chat with journalists during a tour of the site, said that the partnership with MIXTA Africa has been fruitful and the response to the development of the affordable housing units by residents in the state and those in the diaspora have been tremendous.

    She said that work on the estate in preparation for the Vice President’s visit has reached advanced stage and all is set for the August visitor.

    According to her, “We are happy that the Vice President is coming to commission this landmark project. This project holds a lot of history for the state. It is the first state government housing project in the state after 16 years.

    Read Also:Osinbajo’s visit: Taraba governor flags off Wukari-Tsokundi road

    “Our partner, MIXTA Africa, has been very supportive and we are working round the clock to ensure that the project site is ready for the ground-breaking ceremony,

    Noting that some units will be ready for the Vice President’s visit, she said, “We are committed to this project and want to assure the people that we will deliver on our promises. The project is going to be a major pull for residents and those in the Diaspora to invest in bespoke real estate in Benin.

    We are sourcing materials for this project within the state, which is quite remarkable, as this means that the building will be quite affordable at the end of the day.

    “We assure that some level of structure would be on ground for the ceremony by the Vice President. This is to show how serious the state government and MIXTA Africa are to deliver on the project.”

    Head, Sales and Marketing, MIXTA Africa, Korede Lawrence-Salu, said MIXTA Africa is impressed with the partnership, and promised that it would work round the clock to deliver on the project, assuring on delivery of high quality, valuable housing stock.

    According to him, “after we sealed the deal to construct the 1,800-unit project, we have been inundated with enquiries from those willing to have a stake. So we are confident about this project. We have recorded high interest, especially among Edo people in the diaspora too.”

  • Edo seeks private partners for housing development

    Edo State Government has said it is exploring the private-public partnership (PPP) option in developing affordable housing across the state.

    It said real estate investors could tap from the growing real estate sector for development of affordable housing in a develop, finance, build and sell arrangement.

    Executive Chairman, Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA), Ms Isoken Omo, in a press statement said the plans to explore the private-public partnership (PPP) option are to reduce the overall national housing deficit figures.

    Read Also: Edo begins recruitment of surveyors, architects, firemen, others

    She noted that the projects would be sited on various strategic parcels of land pooled into the Edo State Housing Development Land Bank domiciled with the agency.

    “Other sites for the projects include new sites of land that will be identified in line with the proposals submitted by prospective developers and investors who are interested in partnering with the state government in developing, financing, building and selling housing units across the state.”

  • EDPA to recertify estate residents, embarks on rent recovery

    EDPA to recertify estate residents, embarks on rent recovery

    The Edo Development and Property Authority (EDPA) will from November 27 to January 22, 2018, embark on recertification and rent recovery exercise for residents in its estates spread across the state.

    In a statement, the Executive Chairman, EDPA, Isoken Omo, on Thursday, said that the exercise, which is expected to last for eight weeks, will target homeowners and estate residents.

    The affected estates include Andrew Wilson, Evboriaria; Oregbeni, Federal Housing Estates I, II & III, Workers Village, C130 Estates, Ikpoba Hill. Others are Iguosa Housing Estate, BDPA Housing Estate, Ugbowo; Iyekogba and Ogbe-Ibya Estates.

    According to her, “It has been observed that over time, a lot of issues such as illegal occupation, illegal construction, severe property neglect, huge arrears of ground rent, service charge and shop rent and squatters have been prevalent in the estates. There is an urgent need to curb this trend and set the pace for the future of our estates.”

    Noting that the exercise will enable her team collect relevant data that would guide EDPA’s forthcoming programmes in the estates, she said, “We have engaged the Residents Associations, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Edo State Geographic Information System (EDOGIS), Security Services and other stakeholders to sensitise them about the proposed exercise. It is hoped that at the end of the exercise, we would have a complete database of the genuine owners/occupants and be able to issue Deeds of Sublease to the qualifying residents.”

    She said the exercise will cost each resident N5,000, to facilitate the agency’s work, noting “Each resident is expected to pay the amount to EDPA Service Charge Account in GT bank: 0128778701. They should clearly state their name, using recertification as reference.  They are to produce the Teller of payment to be issued a receipt. All EDPA staff will have proof of ID to show to residents during the exercise. Residents are expected to co-operate with EDPA staff carrying out the exercise.”

    She enjoined residents to provide means of identification, which include any of Driver’s Licence, Voter’s Card, International Passport or National ID Card, proof of purchase/ownership, proof of payment of mortgage, ground rent or monthly salary deductions, evidence of approval for alterations and developments as the case maybe.

  • Edo plans new estates, targets diaspora community

    Edo plans new estates, targets diaspora community

    As part of reforms in the Edo State housing sector to open up the state to real estate investments, the Edo State Government has rolled out plans to build new towns and estates aimed at decongesting Benin City, with special packages for the diaspora community.

    Executive Chairman of the Edo Property and Development Authority (EDPA), Isoken Omo, disclosed this in a chat with journalists, on Thursday, at the Government House, Benin City.

    Omo said that EDPA, as a revenue-generating agency of government, has been repositioned with a mandate to pursue housing and estate development projects for the benefit of the people in the state as well as open up investment opportunities for Edo indigenes in the diaspora.

    According to her, “We want to engage with people. Fifty percent of Edo people are in the diaspora, internally or externally. The internal Diaspora include those in Lagos, Kano, Ibadan, and even those spread across West Africa. But then, we still have those who are far-flung, in places like Europe and America. A lot of them would send money home for their relatives to build houses.

    “These relatives would send them pictures, but when these people come back, they would meet nothing. So, we are trying to tell them that we have a governor we can trust and who understands business. He is going to give these people the assurance they need to bring the money in. We want to create estates, but it will not be a diaspora estate, because I do not think it is the way to go as it exposes them to all sorts of issues.”

    Omo said EDPA would set aside sections in the planned estates that would be reserved for those in the diaspora to own, noting, “We can do 100-units and give them 40. They would either get them through a diaspora bond or buy directly, through a portal on the agency’s website. There would be flexible packages, which would include mortgages and at the end of the day, they won’t hear stories.”

    On the new towns being developed by the state, she said, “We have new towns. There is a new town coming up at Obagie Nevbosa. EDPA is anchoring it. We want to build a hub between Warri and Benin. We want that city in the middle so that we would reduce the pressure in Benin City. After that, we can now start the internal regeneration of the city, which we need to do.”

    Noting that the agency is working with other ministries in the state to execute the project, she said: “We are working those in the Ministry of Physical & Urban Development, Edo Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Agency and everyone in the line to make sure that this works. We have published the advertisement to tell them we want to acquire the place. We have started taking the compensation list; we are now doing the survey. After that, we would start the outline design. We are talking to big private developers. We have about three new towns like that, but we have already gone far with Obagie Nevbosa.”