The provision of decent dwelling to the most vulnerable is a major project that Government fully supports as it is in line with our vision to place people at the heart of development and enhance their quality of life, stated the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, yesterday, at Pointe Aux Piments.
He was speaking at the laying of foundation stone ceremony for the construction of 200 housing units by the New Social Living Development Ltd (NSLD) and the Ministry of Housing and Land Use Planning.
The Prime Minister underscored Government’s determination to accelerate its efforts to steer social housing development projects for vulnerable families. He pointed out that social housing units are being constructed in different regions across the country in a bid to facilitate social integration and promote inclusiveness. Similar housing projects are ongoing in other regions namely Souillac, La Brasserie, Bel Rivière Sèche, L’espérance Trébuchet, and Pointe aux Sables, he mentioned.
He reiterated Government’s core objective to ensure that each family has a decent house which is secure, durable and in line with the aspirations of the population. He recalled that Government is currently undertaking the construction of 12,000 housing units for vulnerable families which will be implemented in two phases. The first and second phases, he said, comprise the construction of 8,000 and 4,000 housing units respectively.
It is a priority for everyone to have a shelter of their own and it is not easy for modest and vulnerable families to save money, buy a land and construct a house”, he said adding that it requires a lot of efforts and sacrifice. We as a caring Government, he underpinned, believe that housing is a necessity for all.
He emphasised that it was important for the Government to come up with the NSLD in 2019 to provide for the construction of new and modern housing units to respond to the expectations of the population. Government, he stated, has a difficult task of finding land for construction of houses that provide easy access to many facilities and amenities. On this note, he lauded the collaboration of local contractors for the construction of the housing units in this difficult situation whereby the prices of construction materials have increased due to inflation caused by external factors.
Prime Minister Jugnauth indicated that the housing project at Pointe aux Piments is being built on a plot of land of around 10 arpents to the tune of Rs 548 million. It will comprise housing units of 60 metre square with a yard of 56 metre square, a multipurpose hall, a market, a children’s playground, shop, a jogging track, solar street lightings, eco bins, and road infrastructure. He underlined that 10% of the housing units are reserved for most vulnerable families registered at the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity and eight houses will be provided to persons with disabilities.
Pressent at this occasion, DPM Obeegadoo further pointed out that the National Housing Development Co. Ltd has already completed the construction of 2, 500 housing units and is determined to continue with construction of more housing units in line with Government’s vision.
