Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has revealed that his administration overcame more than 90 court cases filed to frustrate the development of a major housing project designed to provide affordable homes for middle-income earners in the state.
The governor disclosed this on Monday while inaugurating Phase One of the Greater TAF City Housing Estate, located across Ikwerre and Obio-Akpor Local Government Areas.
The estate, which has a long-term target of 20,000 housing units, is being developed under the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority as part of efforts to decongest Port Harcourt and redirect development to emerging urban corridors.
Fubara described the project as one of the most challenged initiatives of his administration, recalling that several individuals emerged at its inception to claim ownership of the land and allege non-payment of compensation.
“You will not believe that when we started this project, we were confronted with over 90 litigations from individuals claiming ownership of the land. It was a deliberate attempt to frustrate this vision and jeopardise the welfare of our people,” the governor said.
Despite the legal hurdles, Fubara commended traditional rulers and host community leaders for supporting the government and ensuring the project moved forward.
He said the inauguration of the first phase confirms his administration’s commitment to delivering 1,000 housing units in the initial stage of the broader 20,000-unit plan.
“Today is not just about commissioning the first phase; it is proof that the vision of 1,000 housing units is real. This project is for middle-income earners and represents a major step in moving development away from the city centre,” he stated.
The governor urged beneficiaries and land allottees to commence development promptly, assuring them of continued government backing. He also praised the private sector partner, Greater TAF Nigeria Limited, for its role in the project.
Fubara added that the estate aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Housing Initiative, noting that the state has also allocated land for an additional 1,000 federal housing units.
“When the Federal Government’s 1,000 units are delivered alongside our remaining 19,000 units, housing will no longer be a challenge in Rivers State,” he said.
He further linked access to decent housing to social stability, noting that improved shelter would help address crime and insecurity.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Greater TAF Nigeria Limited, Mustapha Njie, thanked the governor for his leadership, revealing that the project’s public-private partnership model has earned continental recognition from the African Union for Housing Finance.
Also speaking, the Acting Administrator of the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Bennett Chu, described the housing project as a long-standing vision now becoming reality, while the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Wobodo Charles, praised the governor’s commitment to people-centred development.
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