Monday, February 3, 2014 33
THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com
PRIME ESTATES
TUC, developer plan 100,000 homes for workers Projects By Tunde Alao CTIVITIES for the setting A up of the long awaited ‘Workers Housing Scheme’ were stepped up last week by the proponents, Rock of Ages Properties Limited, a subsidiary of Chicason Group and Trade Union Congress (TUC), which recently entered into a memorandum of understanding to construct 100,000 housing units in different parts of the country. Under the scheme, known as “United Workers Housing Scheme”, the State governments are expected to provide lands, while TUC will facilitate membership registration, while Rock of Ages Properties will provide funds. The first phase of the project has started at Airport Road, Deidei Abuja with 20,000 units. Prospective subscribers to the scheme would contribute between 10-20 per cent of the total cost of their choice of residential accommodation, while the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and selected primary mortgage banks would augment the payment . Executive Director, Chicason Group, Mr. Chux Adike said arrangement is ongoing by the affected stakeholders on the modality, both for the delivery of the scheme and allocation. House type being proposed are two bedroom semi-detached bungalow,
Prototype of a new house types by Royal Garden Estate, Lagos two Bedroom apartment block, three bedroom detached bungalow, three bedroom semi-detached bungalow, three bedroom apartment block, three bedroom terrace house, four bedroom terrace apartment and four bedroom semi
detached house. Plans are already on top gear to flag off the project on Thursday at Women Development Centre, Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Among the selected banks are Keystone Bank Limited, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Zenith
Bank International Plc and FCMB Bank Plc Major highlights of the scheme include: 10 per cent deposit backed with mortgage for the 90 per cent balance, and low interest rate; Convenient repayment plan
up to 20 years; estates to be located in the prime areas of the state with modern infrastructure. Adike added that the proposed affordable housing scheme is aimed at building decent homes across the federation for the benefit of private and public
sector works in Nigeria. Facilities to be provided include; power supply, centralized water supply system, tarred roads with work ways and drainages, ample parking spaces, street lights, recreational facilities, among others.