By Saio Marrah
As a way of enhancing affordable housing and creating decent communities, the Ministry of Housing and Country Planning has disclosed plans to introduce a Mortgage financing housing scheme that will see the construction of 25,000 houses in different parts of Sierra Leone.
Speaking at the government weekly press briefing held in the Ministry of Information and Communication, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie said his ministry is working with three investments companies on what he called a Smart City Project. One of the companies, US based ENSE group will build a total of ten thousand (10,000) housing units in Freetown, Makeni, Bo and Kenema.
Freetown will have a larger share of the houses with 6,000; Bo and Kenema are to get 1,500 each, and Makeni 1,000.
Two other companies, Global Africa and Gear Properties, are also to construct houses with the former to establish 15,000 housing units in the Western Area, whilst the latter will embark on a housing scheme on degraded land areas. The Minister said there are plans to also extend the housing scheme to Port Loko. He said the company will construct three categories of houses; the Basic Model that will go for the equivalent of 30,000 US Dollars, the Middle-Income- 50,000 and the Exclusive- 150,000.
He encouraged those who have interest in the housing business in Sierra Leone to submit proposals to the technical team of the ministry and that once the technical team was finished scrutinizing the proposals and submitted to him, they will be then be taken to Cabinet for approval. Dr. Turad said they will have to negotiate with the companies before the agreement is taken to parliament for approval.
He said the project will bring job opportunities, enhance tenure security for both the land and property and provide decent and outstanding communities, and will also boost the tourism sector.
He therefore called on Sierra Leoneans to support the ministry in its focus to get a new outlook for cities and towns. He emphasized that affordable housing and country planning will be accompanied with proper terms. He stated that his aim as minister is to make sure that the Sierra Leonean enjoys the country’s resources that include land. He said the government will continue to protect the country’s resources including lands.
Dr. Senesie also addressed issues of land grabbing, deforestation and building without permit especially in the Western Area, and warned that defaulters irrespective of their status, will be prosecuted.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (30/07/21)
