Minister satisfied with housing projects visited |27 April 2018
The Seychelles government’s housing programme of 24 houses in 24 districts is on the right track despite challenges faced with contractors and human resources.
Housing, Infrastructure and Land Transport (MHILT) Minister Charles Bastienne said this following visits carried out yesterday to Corgat Estate, Perseverance and the St Louis ex-Oliver housing projects.
At the Corgat Estate housing redevelopment project, another high priority housing programme, the minister said the whole demolishing work would be completed by December 2019 as work is progressing.
The ministry responsible for housing received a grant from the Chinese government for the project and this is being well used though the main challenge there is the relocation of the tenants. However, to counter that, MHILT has set up a taskforce including all stakeholders concerned for a smooth transition in the relocation of the tenants.
Minister Bastienne was welcomed on arrival at those estates by Jean-François Ferrari and Sandy Arissol – respectively members of the National Assembly for Mont Fleuri, which has Corgat Estate as a sub-district, and St Louis.
The district administrators, secretary of state for Poverty Alleviation Dick Esparon and other MHILT officials, were also present
Sixteen (16) units at Corgat Estate are almost ready and will be delivered in June this year.
At Perseverance II, 36 of the total 64 units planned for the relocation process, are to be completed and expected to be delivered by the end of June or beginning of July this year.
Minister Bastienne expressed his dissatisfaction with the contractor as he was way behind schedule.
Tenants who have been relocated to Perseverance will later on have the choice of either remaining at Perseverance or moving back to Corgat Estate.
With regards to the ex-Oliver housing project at St Louis, Minister Bastienne said he is satisfied though his ministry experienced some challenges in the process. The project is expected to be completed by end of May this year.
“Both MNAs I’ve discussed with are also satisfied. So it shows government is on the right direction with regards to delivering on its promises as far as housing is concerned,” he said.
At Perseverance, Minister Bastienne also visited the sites where self-finance and self-built housing projects will or are being undertaken.
“Self-finance is an ongoing government project. That potential person raises a loan with the bank. The bank loan is put in an account with the Property Management Corporation (PMC). PMC will be the one directly paying the contractor. Contrary to other government housing projects, this one is financed by the individual and not by government,” the minister said.
There are 73 units in the project and total costs vary from R560,000 to R650,000 depending on the model and number of bedrooms the individual chooses.
With regards to self-built, Minister Bastienne explained that government has made available land just like in the land bank project. The individuals can build their own houses but based on housing plans already prepared by MHILT.
Giving his point of view after the visit, MNA Ferrari said in general things are going according to plan.
“There is a small delay about 1-2 months on the Corgat Estate and Perseverance units,” said Mr Ferrari.
He clarified that there are 12 units allocated for residents of the Kan Gard in the project. Mr Ferrari has also urged the new tenants to take care of their houses and added that those who want a house have to contribute towards the home-saving scheme.
“St Louis is a small district with not much land. So such projects as the ex-Oliver one is important especially to people who are on the waiting list. And I hope, like the minister has affirmed, that all will be in place by June this year,” said MNA Arissol.
The following photos were taken by our photographer Louis Toussaint during yesterday’s visit at the three sites.
