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St. George’s, December 2, 2009 – Government is determined, dedicated and committed to ensuring all nationals have a “decent roof over their heads,’’ Housing Minister Hon. Alleyne Walker has said.
The Minister, who is also responsible for Lands and Community Development, has commended the government of the People’s Republic of China for supporting Grenada’s efforts to deliver “decent and affordable housing’’ to its people.
He made the remarks November 27 in St. Andrew at an event attended by residents of the parish, as well as representatives of the Grenada and Chinese governments. They had gathered for the signing of a Grenada-China agreement and sod-turning ceremony for the construction of houses.
Under the agreement, China is in charge of the housing construction and the provision of all equipment and materials. Grenada is providing the land and also has responsibility for infrastructural development.
Grenada will receive 2,000 housing units as part of the agreement which, according Eunice Sandy-David – Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Community Development – was entered into after the passage of Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Ivan destroyed a large percentage of Grenada’s housing stock
Under the first phase of the project, 361 housing units will be built at three sites: Soubise in St. Andrew, and Frequente and Mt.Gay in St. George’s.
The contract for the work has been awarded to Beijing Construction and Engineering Group Co. Ltd., a reputable Chinese company which has been in operation for more than 50 years. Mr. Qing Yang, Deputy General Manager of the company, promised that Beijing Construction and Engineering will work hard to complete the Grenada housing project.
Minister Walker, in his remarks, said there are “countless persons’’ depending on government to satisfy their dreams of owning a home, and the requests for “safe and affordable housing become more acute.’’
Finance Minister Hon. Nazim Burke, who at the time was also Acting Prime Minister, told guests at the event that housing and shelter were necessary for human survival.
They are basic rights, he said, and persons should be afforded suitable housing to thrive in their respective environs.
Like the Housing Minister, Hon. Burke reiterated the commitment of Prime Minister Tillman Thomas’ administration to provide low- and middle-income persons with a better quality of life, including improved housing.
His Excellency Zhang Wanhai, the resident Chinese Ambassador to Grenada, was among officials of the People’s Republic of China who attended the St. Andrew ceremony.
He said despite the global financial crisis affecting all nations, China still finds it necessary to give financial and technical assistance to developing countries like Grenada.
