By Chioma Obinagwam
In a landmark move to revitalize Nigeria’s oil-rich Garden City, the Rivers State Government and Masta Services Company Limited have launched PH AirportCity, a self-contained mini-city poised to draw back top executives, investors, and long-term residents while fueling statewide economic growth.
Confiance News gathered from a statement issued by Kunle Adewale of the Vintage Publicist Company on Friday.
The ambitious project, situated on 80 hectares near Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa, will roll out an initial 2,000 housing units in phases. It forms the cornerstone of a “city within a city” – modern, secure, and globally competitive – nestled within the expansive Greater Port Harcourt Masterplan, which spans 1,900 square kilometers across eight local government areas and aims for a population exceeding two million.
The development is spearheaded by a Special Purpose Vehicle, Masta Rivers Development Company Limited, with Masta Services holding 70% equity and the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPCDA) representing the state’s 30% stake. At a high-profile unveiling ceremony at Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt, officials also sealed a partnership with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to offer affordable mortgage options for buyers.
Brand consultant Ade Adeoshun hailed the launch as a “new dawn” for Rivers State, pointing to untapped potential in the oil and gas sector hampered by insecurity, infrastructure decay, and urban exodus. “Port Harcourt’s strategic connectivity – linking Aba, Uyo, Owerri, Onitsha, and Yenagoa in under two hours – demands world-class urban infrastructure,” he said.
Arc. Ugo Ohuabunwa, Managing Director of Masta Services and the SPV’s Managing Partner, presented the masterplan, emphasizing PH AirportCity as Nigeria’s pioneering aerotropolis. Here, the international airport serves as the economic core, encircled by integrated residential, commercial, logistics, entertainment, and smart-tech zones. Key features include one- to five-bedroom smart homes, centralized electronic security with CCTV, shopping malls, entertainment hubs, fiber-optic internet, gas-powered systems, centralized sewage and stormwater management, extensive roads, and four fire stations.
Ohuabunwa stressed the project’s aim to stem the flight of high-value individuals, who left not only due to safety concerns but also the absence of premium, productive living spaces. Notably, construction will not depend on buyer funds – a rarity in Nigeria’s real estate market. Prices start at approximately ₦32 million, with FMBN and Stanbic IBTC providing mortgage support.
Melody Ukwa, FMBN’s Port Harcourt Branch Manager, outlined flexible products like Rent-to-Own, renovation loans, diaspora mortgages, and the National Housing Fund, with terms up to 30 years. GPCDA Administrator Bennett Chu assured that the state government rigorously vetted all elements to uphold global standards, prioritizing quality mass housing.
As groundwork commences, PH AirportCity is billed as a premier lifestyle hub blending safety, luxury, technology, and convenience. Stakeholders predict it will transform urban living in Rivers State, restore investor trust, and spark broader economic momentum. The first housing phases are slated for delivery soon, marking a pivotal step in reimagining Port Harcourt’s future.
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