Agu Chukwuemelie, the General Manager, Enugu State Housing Development Corporation has won the CEO of Housing Corporation of the Year at the 2019 Nigeria Housing Awards in Abuja.
Chukwuemelie Agu, until his appointment as the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC), was a successful business manager/administrator. He was recruited into public sector by the present Executive Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to be the GM/CEO of ESHDC April 2016, and ha since then achieved laudable objectives in affordable housing in the state.
In a now famous quip, he said, ‘’I don’t think that you can address poverty unless you address the lack of affordable housing in the cities.’’
The Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC) is a Parastatal of the Enugu State Government owned 100% by it and is established by “Enugu State Housing Development Corporation Law” Cap. 58 Laws of Enugu State Government 2004.
ESHDC is one of the fully commercialized agencies of the Enugu State Government charged with the responsibility of implementing the State Government housing policy for all classes of people. However, the State Government appoints Board of Directors of the Corporation which usually consist of seasoned and accomplished professionals in the Housing, business and other related sectors of the society. The eight (8) member Board and the Management Committee of the Corporation sees to the policy formation and the day to day running of the Corporation as provided for in the Corporation’s Law, and as directed by His Excellency the Governor of the State.
ESHDC is not subvented by the State Government since it is commercialized, hence generates its own projects and funds same, conducts its business as to ensure positive returns, and to maintain the socio-economic and political outlook of the State Government.
Funds generated by the Corporation are geared towards provision of Houses, Estate Infrastructure and facilities; Maintenance of such Estates and facilities; the day to day running of the Corporation, and remittances to the State Government.
The Nigeria Housing Awards marked the end of the 13th Abuja International Housing Show which hosted 30, 000 participants and over 30 international speakers from at least 15 countries from 23rd to 26th July 2019 at the International Conference Center Abuja. The award which held on the 26th July 2019 celebrated a number of excellent performers in the industry in the year under review.
By Ojonugwa Felix Ugboja
