Governor Siminalayi Fubara pressed ahead with the launch of Phase One of the Greater TAF City Housing Estate, despite more than 90 lawsuits filed to block the project. The legal actions, brought by individuals claiming land ownership and unpaid compensation, were dismissed by the governor as a deliberate attempt to sabotage the state’s housing agenda. He insisted the barrage of court cases would not halt the delivery of affordable homes for middle‑income families in Rivers State.
The estate, developed under the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, marks the first tranche of a 20,000‑unit plan aimed at easing congestion in Port Harcourt. Phase One comprises 1,000 units, and the state has also set aside land for an additional 1,000 federal housing units. Fubara linked the project to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Housing Initiative, emphasizing that once the federal units are completed, housing will no longer be a major challenge in the state.
Supporters, including traditional rulers and community leaders, stood by the government, urging that the legal challenges be resolved through proper channels. Critics, however, warned that moving forward while lawsuits are pending could undermine due process and set a risky precedent for future development projects.
The governor urged all land allottees to begin construction without delay, stressing that the administration has cleared the way and is committed to seeing the project through. He also thanked the private‑sector partner, Greater TAF Nigeria Limited, for its role and assured continued government backing for the remaining phases.
If the full 20,000‑unit vision is realized, it could transform the housing landscape in Rivers, offering thousands of families a chance at affordable shelter and potentially easing social tensions linked to housing scarcity.
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