Over 90 lawsuits filed to sabotage Rivers Housing Estate – Fubara says as he unveils 20,000-unit project

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has revealed that his administration faced an unprecedented legal onslaught, with more than 90 lawsuits filed to derail the development of a major housing project aimed at providing affordable homes for middle-income earners in the state.

The governor made the disclosure on Monday during the inauguration of Phase One of the Greater TAF City Housing Estate, a flagship project spanning Ikwerre and Obio-Akpor Local Government Areas.

The estate, with a long-term target of 20,000 housing units, is being executed through the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority as part of a deliberate strategy to decongest Port Harcourt and expand development beyond the city centre.

Fubara described the project as a bold intervention conceived at one of the most difficult moments of his administration, noting that it was deliberately targeted for obstruction.

“At the beginning, several individuals suddenly surfaced, laying claims to portions of the land and alleging non-payment of compensation,” he said.

According to the governor, the housing estate was hit with coordinated legal actions designed to halt its execution.

“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 undermine the welfare of our people,” Fubara stated.

He, however, expressed gratitude to traditional rulers and host community leaders who stood with the government to ensure the project survived the legal battles.

The governor said the inauguration of the first phase underscores his administration’s resolve to deliver 1,000 housing units in the initial stage of the larger 20,000-unit plan.

“Today is not just about commissioning the first phase; it is proof that the vision of delivering 1,000 housing units is real. This project is designed for middle-income earners and represents a major shift in moving development away from the city centre to this axis,” he said.

Fubara urged beneficiaries and land allottees to commence development without delay, stressing that the government had cleared all bottlenecks and provided the necessary support.

“There is no justification for slowing down. You should understand the kind of government you are dealing with. We are determined, committed, and the interest of Rivers State will always come first,” he said.

He also commended Greater TAF Nigeria Limited, the private sector partner, for its role in the project, assuring the firm of continued government backing.

The governor added that the housing estate aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Housing Initiative, disclosing that the state government has also allocated land for an additional 1,000 federal housing units.

“What we have delivered today is the first phase of 20,000 units. When the Federal Government’s 1,000 units are completed alongside our remaining 19,000 units, housing will no longer be a major challenge in Rivers State,” he said.

Fubara further linked access to decent housing to improved social stability, noting that addressing shelter needs would help reduce crime and social tension.

Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Greater TAF Nigeria Limited, Mustapha Njie, praised the governor’s leadership, describing the project as the fulfilment of a promise to Rivers people.

“Your Excellency, you championed this partnership. Today, we are not just delivering houses; we are delivering hope,” Njie said.

He revealed that the public-private partnership model adopted for the project has earned international recognition.

“Last year in Zanzibar, the African Union for Housing Finance recognised this project as the most innovative affordable housing PPP in Africa. That recognition came because of the enabling environment created by this administration,” he said.

Also speaking, the Acting Administrator of the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Bennett Chu, said the 20,000-unit housing scheme was a long-standing dream now taking shape.

He recalled that the Memorandum of Understanding was signed on December 2, 2023, followed by the groundbreaking ceremony on December 15, 2023, and described the project as a legacy initiative that would benefit low- and middle-income earners.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Wobodo Charles, commended Governor Fubara for his hands-on leadership and commitment to projects that directly improve the lives of residents.