Africa-Press – Mauritius. Developing affordable housing projects takes time as it goes through several phases such as land acquisition, designing and building the units, while at the same time striving to meet sound technical standards and be in line with procurement regulations”, stated the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, and Minister of Tourism, Mr Steven Obeegadoo, at the inauguration of the National Housing Development Co Ltd.
(NHDC) housing estate, Résidence Lotus, in Chebel, this afternoon. PPS, Dorine Chuckowry, and other personalities were also present at the event.
Citing the example of Résidence Lotus, Mr Obeegadoo highlighted that the project, to the tune of Rs 160 million, kicked off in May 2018 and was completed in three years. He added that since November 2019, more than 1,050 NHDC housing units were handed over to their owners.
According to him, by June 2022, the construction of 1,400 units, which is being closely monitored, would be completed in Mare d’Albert, Mare Tabac, Gros Cailloux and Dagotière, among other regions.
Moreover, he said, the NHDC is currently updating its housing waiting list with a view to responding more effectively to the requirements of the increased number of applicants for housing facilities.
Stressing that Government is committed to build more houses to satisfy demands, Mr Obeegadoo recalled that the 2020/2021 Budget made provision for the construction of 12,000 residential units. The implementing agency, the New Social Living Development Ltd (NSLD), is presently finalising land acquisition procedures, he said.
Regarding the COVID-19 situation, the Deputy Prime Minister urged the population to continue to adhere to safe and preventive measures like physical distancing, wearing of masks and frequent washing or sanitising of hands.
He expressed his satisfaction as the number of people being vaccinated continues to rise in the country. Six in 10 adults already received their first jab, while four in ten adults got their second dose, he averred.
Résidence Lotus
The 99 two-storey houses are part of the second phase of the Chebel Housing Project. The first housing estate, Résidence Trochetia, comprising 92 units, was inaugurated in November 2020.
The new housing estate comprises a green space, a children’s playground, and parking facilities for residents. Within an area of 50m2 each, the unit includes a living room, two bedrooms, two toilets and bathrooms, a kitchen, and an open terrace.
It is noted that 10% of the total number of housing units in the projects have been allocated to beneficiaries of the National Empowerment Foundation.
