In this Exclusive Interview with Imoflash, The Honourable Commissioner of Housing, Lady Love Ineh, explains in details the very many gigantic, people-oriented Housing projects being undertaken by the 3R Administration of the Executive Governor of Imo state, Senator Hope Uzodimma. The Amazon also put in few words on how she relaxes and what the future holds for her.
Good Day, Ma’am. Firstly, Congratulations on your reappointment as the Imo State Commissioner for Housing, What do you feel are the expectations of his Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma for having brought you back to the Housing Ministry?
His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma in his campaign manifesto made radical promises to Ndi-Imo based on mass housing delivery to Imolites in the three Senatorial zones of the state. I had during my first spell as commissioner before the dissolution of the cabinet early last year done all the land acquisitions for these programmes. We had also negotiated with the mortgage institutions like the Family Homes and National Fund during the period. His Excellency by my reappointment expects that the programmes will continue without interruption.
How would you rate Governor Uzodimma’s contributions to the Housing Sector in the last 2 years?
I will rate His Excellency’s performance very high because he has been occupied with the fundamental issues that will provide enablement to boost the housing sector like the Land probes and implementation that took much of the time to resolve. There was need to restore confidence in land administration in the state which was what informed the White Paper panel on lands. With that done and dusted, the communities holding the lands started thronging the Ministries to donate lands for development. Most of the grey matters have been dealt with and also the funding institutions are also ready to injecting funds. I will therefore rate His Excellency’s performance very high in the last two years.
Now that you are back to the Housing Ministry Ma’am, What plans are you bringing to the table to ensure adequate Housing development in the state?
So many communities willing to donate lands for partnership with the government are coming up with proposals, Our target is to add about 10,000 new homes within the next one year. We have also started discussing with development partners like Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Imo state chapter to come up with their plansfor 100 homes per Local Government Areas, as you are aware, we have 27 LGAs in the state. We are also bringing on board other private developers to deliver mini estates on a PPP model. We are targeting at least 10,000 new homes in Imo state in these initiatives.
Shelter you know is one of the basic necessities of life and a workforce that is properly housed yields more productivity, are there any plans by the Government for providing houses for the state workers?
Very soon, my ministry will begin processing forms for the civil servants that wish to be targeted for home provisions. Some of other initiatives with REDAN and other developers will also target the civil servants with mortgage arrangements to own homes under payment plans. The mortgage institutions are also having the civil servants under their purview. So, there are goodies for the state workforce in our policy thrust.
Any plans to partner with the Private Sector, knowing fully well that Government alone cannot carry out such imposing projects on her own.
The private sector is key to our policies on housing revolution. Our targets to increase our housing delivery to 10,000 new homes through mini estates will deploy the PPP model structure to attract the private capital. The other arrangement with the National Housing Fund and Family Homes is expected to attract federal funding to our mass housing initiatives for 500,000 housing units across the three senatorial zones of the state.
We are aware that the 3R Administration of Senator Hope Uzodimma is planning on a commencement of a mass housing revolution, Please, Can you kindly elucidate the concept for the sake of the millions of Imo citizens at home and in Diaspora?
Yes, just like I tried to elucidate in my answer to the last question, arrangements are at advanced stages for the funding of these ambitious housing plans that will roll out 300,000 houses across the three senatorial districts in the state. Again, the National Housing Fund and the Family House are central in these negotiations.
Ma’am, the political terrain not just in Imo state but Nigeria is quite difficult for women, can you share your success story on how you reached this level, A young lady in politics out there might be motivated?
It can be quite frustrating if you continue to see yourself as a woman that should be pampered. Not for me anyway. I have survived by thinking and playing the roles not considering myself an inferior gender, but, still respecting the men in the thorny political terrain. I have also positioned myself to be competitive in the midst of the ever domineering men folk.
Ma’am, It is very obvious you run a very tight itinerary, How do you relax?
I was raised up as an educationist and also have a stint in the Army Pensions Board. This is also not withstanding my coming from the background of a strong political family of Honourable Paul Eleke of the Sam Mbakwe era who happens to be my father of blessed memory. Do not also forget that I have been the Scribe of APC State Exco since 2018 till just three months ago when a new Party Exco was inaugurated. So, these backgrounds offer little space for relaxation or leisure per se. I really spend little time relaxing.
How do you effectively combine Politics and Family, Ma’am? Putting into cognizance that we are in an Africa Setup
I have managed to strike a balance over the years that have helped me train all my six children up to University levels and today, I am a proud grand mother of four kids. I give God all the glory.
What are we to expect from Lady Love Ineh as the 2023 General Elections approaches? Any interest?
I will say that God will decide that. The good Lord who has seen me through to this stage will decide my future in 2023.
Thank You for coming and may God grant you safe journey
