1000 houses to be constructed nationwide under the agenda for prosperity

Freetown, March (SLENA) – Works, Housing and Infrastructure Minister, Alimamy P. Koroma has disclosed that one thousand (1000) houses are expected to be constructed countrywide under the Agenda for Prosperity.

Mr. Koroma made this disclosure when delivering his keynote address at the Shelter Afrique Business Road show held at the Kingtom Bank Complex in Freetown.

He revealed that during the period under review, his ministry successfully engaged a Chinese firm for the construction of houses for middle and lower income earners.

The minister also stated that as a strategy his ministry will encourage the use of local materials in the housing industry, and that they intend to collaborate with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies for skill development in areas such as brick manufacturing, carpentry and masonry at a lower cost.

He also pointed out that government is providing incentives in the form of land and duty waivers on related materials for this venture through sensitization and promotion.

Mr. Koroma revealed that government is ready to empower Local Councils to undertake the development of low cost housing schemes for their communities, and has requested for the provision of some resources to both the Freetown City Council and the Western Rural District Council to initiate the construction of these units in partnership with the private sector.

In her brief remarks, the head of Investment Shelter Afrique, Nelly Defoe said the project was established in 1982 in Lusaka with the sole aim of assisting public sector by financing the implementation of these affordable housing units.

She stated that since the formulation of Shelter Afrique project, they have had forty-four (44) shareholder member states and are getting support from the African Development Bank as well as the African Re-insurance Corporation.

Madam Defoe said the cumulative value of loan approvals for investment as of June 2012 amounted to the tune of six hundred million Dollars.

She added that 40% of the funding is expected from the developer whilst Shelter Afrique will disburse the rest of the 60% under their normal terms and condition of their laid down rules.

FM/MWHI/SLENA

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