Enugu State: Good Housing Estate Development or Urban Housing Kitsch?
Written by Sedo Elijah Ebinne
“Lining the edges of the ESBS bus stop are sounds normal to everyone watching- school children rushing to go to class, bus drivers and their conductors speeding on the nary road as if they built the tarmac, petite hawkers selling edibles of colorful wraps, Gala and assortment of soft drinks to nosh on the way to the other side of town.
But what excites me the most is the company of white-painted, articulately crafted houses that sit on the side of the road like Indian bridal decorations. All over this city, this land of coal, are various estates like this- houses built together and distinguished by certain aesthetic features. Houses built to suit specific tastes.”
While the soft sounds of work escape the Enugu State News Broadcasting Service building situated close by building, people move about carrying out their businesses.
In the in skirts of ESBS are a lineup of a lot of estates in the Independence Layout Metropolis and these have garnered quite a reputation for being not only very practical but very aesthetically appealing.
Taking a trek with one’s eyes will reveal another estate close by-the Liberty Estate flanked in an organized fashion by quaint residential houses and functional business apartments including leisure hotspots like the estate swimming pool and gym centre.
Further on, a few miles from the prestigious University of Nigeria is the WTC estate unveiled in 2018 and with the passing of each day, a growing housing hot spot for the bourgeoisie and well to do as well as students who get these houses for its proximity to the school.
A walk inside would reveal mostly residential, well-designed houses for a modern structural appearance.
Also, on the other side of town, are certain other eye warmers.
They include Goshen Estate and Bethel Estate flanked around the Abakpa Nike environs.
Close by is Diamond Estate Enugu, situated close to Elim Estate, beside Abakpa Nike, Enugu, Nigeria.
And in close proximity to this is the Golf Estate, with its network of houses and well-developed roads which supplies in addition to its wonderful serene atmosphere, a -day round security network inside its walls.
Finally, in the heart of G.R.A is the infamous Zoo Estate which could entice just about anyone with its well-tarred roads and homeliness.
In the center, after a few miles of walking distance are sit outs built with stones perfect for a hangout or picnic and just at the entrance is a spa where anyone with just a little extra cash can get quality services.
The names of the streets are named after animals- giraffe street, crown bird street, flamingo street and on a voyage, one would wonder what it would have been to witness such glorious animals.
The various houses in the Zoo Estate not only complement themselves aesthetically but they all have one similar thing in common- the presence of colorful lawns and well-manicured flowers that line the front of each house like clustered soldiers.
The estate, like most of the others, is considerably guarded with a front and back gate and with well-lit streets, zoo estate sets itself aside in all ways good.
The best thing with this estate, along with some others situated away from the hustle and bustle of street noise, is the quietness that sweeps through the streets.
And living in the estates is not only practical but beautiful.
The Importance of Estates
While some of these estates were commissioned under the Governorship of the current executive governor, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, many of them existed before his rule.
The importance of estates and good housing estate development cannot be overemphasized and shelter can even be called the first and important of all the rights of man.
One of the benefits is that the erection of estates would not only generate revenue for the state but will meet the housing needs of the populace.
In Enugu State, the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC) is the body responsible for the housing requirements of the city.
The official website of the organization apart from laying out the plans of the state for urban and rural development outlines the various estates and where they are situated in the coal city and various government policies.
This emphasizes how just important housing is to the Government of the state.
Given that emphasis on housing has been a major tenet of the Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi led administration, this is no wonder.
This awareness comes at a perfect time, as inadequate housing especially in third world countries, has become a bit of a menace that cannot be ignored.
With a teeming population and high cost of living, with Africa alone making almost 50% of the world’s population, housing and housing development seem to be a worthy investment for any state government that seeks to address the housing challenges in their country.
And while many believe that the burden of housing should be on the government’s well-furnished laps, some believe in more inclusivity.
In Enugu, as well as many progressive governments, care has been taken to include corporations willing to take a chunk of this duty and speed up the construction of the estates.
But it does not end there.
These include private individuals who would be enticed with good incentives and well thought out regulatory policies.
And providing these opportunities, would in the long run cement the provision of housing through collaborative efforts by both individuals and the government as a regular pattern.
These collaborations, as time will show, would help foster ease of development of these estates in the different cities.
Estates and GDP
According to Vanguard Nigeria, in more technologically advanced countries housing contributes to between 30–70% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of the states and investments in housing accounts for 15–35% of the aggregate investment worldwide. And this sector employs approximately 10% of the labour force worldwide.
In Nigeria, however, the housing sector accounts for a disappointing 3% of the country’s GDP.
And the truth is that if nothing is done, the shortage of housing will not only affect the GDP but lead to a number of associated social problems: overcrowding, displacement, high cost of housing and a teeming crime rate.
The link between investment in housing and economic development cannot be ignored.
It’s no surprise that a lot of attention and money has been put into the housing sector of most developed countries, creating an economic bubble on which the country can float in times of financial crises.
To buff the effects housing has on the GDP, tax revenues and job availability, newer measures need to be taken.
While a lot of African countries with their concentration on natural resources are suffering a deficit economically because of a lack due to a lot of social reasons, investments in housing will not only help in soaking the bulge of the unemployed but will create a solid industrial base.
Another important way housing affects the economy is in housing finance and the financial sector.
And it does this through the means of housing loans.
Housing loans, secured by collaterals, are more reliable than other types of loans, which inadvertently makes them a ready choice and a strong determinant of the resiliency of the financial market.
They give financial middlemen such as banks a relationship with individuals for the provision of other financial products.
This mortgage market made possible with the presence of loans is connected with a secondary market which increases the ease of flow in the financial market and in doing so attracts corporate investors such as pension funds and insurance companies which leads to diversification of risks.
And so, development and construction opens a door to the strengthening of the financial market and a country’s GDP.
While estates serve the function primarily of creating housing amenities, they also in turn put money in the government’s pockets and aid the economic sector of the state.
Housing is one of the most important needs of man and much like what is attainable in the City of Coal, any state can replicate its success by providing housing amenities by the development and proper construction of estates.
Originally published at http://discoverenugu042.wordpress.com on May 25, 2021.
