Amelia’s Ward housing programme creates over 150 jobs in Linden

$1.2 billion housing development for Amelia’s Ward in 2022

More than 150 persons in Linden, Region 10 are now employed, as Government commenced the construction of 20 elevated two-bedroom homes in Amelia’s Ward. This project is being executed by CB Housing Development Inc.

Importantly, all the materials for the construction of the homes are being sourced from businesses within the mining town. Also block makers in the region will be engaged under the Ministry’s Community Based Employment Stimulation Project (CESP) to supply blocks.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, MP, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, MP visited the town on Wednesday to assess the ongoing works.

The housing programme is a fulfilment of a commitment made by President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali during an outreach in the town in January. During that outreach, the Head of State committed to the construction of 1,000 homes in Linden. He assured residents that employment and materials would come from the town.

Minister Croal said what is being witnessed is a testament that the PPP/C Government has kept its word. It is also in keeping with Government’s commitment to create 50,000 jobs.

“We also have as part of our community enhancement project, working with small groups in communities, for example the block making. So, you will find just like what you saw in Georgetown, being engaged here. So, we will be working with small groups for the making of the blocks to be supplied for our housing programme. For example, Christiansburg and the other communities in this vicinity will be engaged for that supplying of the blocks.”

Minister Croal emphasised that the Government will be investing heavily in providing necessary infrastructure for the over 400 house lots that were recently distributed in Linden.

“The infrastructure work for that will see in 2022, over $1.2 billion on first phase infrastructure. What that means is land clearance, preparation, the drainage network, road network and that is a commitment that we are making. For the rest of this year, in Amelia’s Ward and Wisroc, they can see us doing some road maintenance work to the tune of $40 million and next year as part of our 2022 budget, we are committing another $100 million for road maintenance in those areas,” he said.

More areas in Region 10 will be developed for the Government’s housing programme. A joint visit with a team from the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) will be undertaken to identify such lands.

Over the coming weeks, as works on site progress the number of persons being employed is expected to increase. This project is expected to be completed within another four months.

Mobilisation for the construction of another 20 houses is expected to commence shortly, representing the first batch of houses under President Ali’s 1000 homes project for Region 10.

Meanwhile, under the second half of the Ministry’s 2021 work program the mining town will see an injection of $40 million dollars, which will go towards road rehabilitation and upgrades in Amelia’s Ward and Wisroc.  Under the 2022 work program some $100 million will be expended to put in the necessary infrastructure in virgin lands, which were recently acquired by the agency for new housing development. Some 8000 acres of lands will be outfitted with roads, access bridges, water and electrical network for allocation.

Lands are also being sought for housing development to meet the housing demands in Kwakwani. (DPI)