Mauritius: The first phase of implementing the 12,000 60m2 residential units project by the New Social Living Development Ltd (NSLD) continues with the ground-breaking ceremony for constructing 300 Housing Units over 15 arpents held yesterday in Pointe aux Sables.
The first phase of the NSLD project consists of constructing some 8,000 residential units across the 20 constituencies in Mauritius. The residential project in Pointe aux Sables would cost some Rs 800 million.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, and Minister of Tourism, Steven Obeegadoo; the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo; and other dignitaries were present at the ground-breaking ceremony.
In a statement after the event, the Deputy Prime Minister recalled that similar ceremonies had been held in Souillac, La Brassserie – Curepipe, Espérance Trébuchet, and Bel Air – Rivière Sèche recently. He announced that laying the foundation stone for the construction of NSLD housing units would be scheduled at the end of August in Pointe aux Piments.
According to Mr Obeegadoo, 39 sites across the country had been identified and finalised under the housing programme, and the contractors appointed. In comparison, Building and Land Use Permits had been delivered for 27 sites. He should have highlighted the difficulties encountered in identifying lands for the construction of houses in towns which had delayed the implementation of the project.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted the social, ecological and leisure dimensions of the housing project. He thus informed that the project not only catered for the disabled citizens, with 4% of the housing units intended for them, but also for the changing physical health of the elderly in order to address the challenges of a rapidly ageing population.
In addition, some 10% of the residential units would be bought by the National Empowerment Foundation as social housing in a bid to support the most vulnerable families. Moreover, future residents could set up retail or commercial activities within the housing area.
On the ecological front, Obeegadoo pointed out that the housing project promotes environmental sustainability and is adapted to climate change with the provision of rainwater harvesting systems, solar panels, solar water heaters, green spaces, and retention ponds in case of flooding due to heavy or torrential rain.
As regards the leisure aspect, the Deputy Prime Minister listed the amenities that would be integrated into the housing project, such as jogging tracks, a community hall, several spots for sports activities, a children playground, and petanque terrain, among others.
As for the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, she underscored the importance of living spaces that catered for different age groups, situations and needs. Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo hence welcomed the enhanced accessibility to homes for people with disabilities and the elderly in the housing project.