In a somewhat surprising move, Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State recently inaugurated an unfinished housing estate just two weeks before the end of his term. The estate, named Darius Dickson (DDI) Ishaku Garden Estate after the governor himself, is situated along Airport Road in Jalingo, the state capital.
Construction of the estate, which was envisioned to comprise 500 housing units, commenced in 2017 as a public-private partnership between the state government and Wesany International Concept Ltd, the developer. However, despite the grand commissioning ceremony, it became evident that nearly all the houses in the estate were at various stages of incompleteness.
Furthermore, crucial facilities such as a school, market, shopping center, clinic, and recreation center, which were initially planned to be part of the estate, were noticeably absent. Additionally, the roads within the estate had not been paved.
During the event, Governor Ishaku emphasized that the estate was intended to benefit civil servants in the state. He expressed his personal attachment to the project, citing its potential long-term impact on the lives of its future residents. He stated, “This project was conceived as a deliberate government policy to reduce the housing deficit by providing decent, comfortable, and affordable housing for civil servants through a highly flexible payment regime that allows the occupant to take full ownership of the houses before retirement.”
Governor Ishaku acknowledged the limited resources available to the government and credited the completion of the first phase of the project, consisting of 250 units of 2-bedroom semi-detached bungalows and 3-bedroom fully detached bungalows, to the PPP arrangement with Wesany International Concept Limited. He commended the private developers for their adherence to the contract agreement and urged them to maintain high standards in subsequent phases of the project.
Describing the estate’s features, the governor highlighted its picturesque location and claimed that it offered unmatched facilities, including parks, a shopping center, a clinic, recreation areas, and a garden. He also mentioned the inclusion of amenities such as military, police, and civil defense outposts, CCTV surveillance, burglary alarm systems, solar street lighting, and reliable water and electricity supplies.
However, a laborer working at the site candidly admitted to PREMIUM TIMES that the housing project was far from completion. He revealed that none of the structures were finished, essential estate facilities were absent, and basic infrastructure like roads and electricity were nonexistent. According to him, Governor Ishaku’s inauguration was likely a strategic move to ensure he received credit for the project before the next governor assumed office.
In summary, Governor Darius Ishaku commissioned an unfinished housing estate, Darius Dickson (DDI) Ishaku Garden Estate, in Taraba State. The project, initiated in 2017 as a PPP with Wesany International Concept Ltd, was intended to provide affordable housing for civil servants. However, the estate was marred by incomplete houses and the absence of essential facilities and infrastructure.
