Ministry of Water & Housing

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Minister of Water and Housing, Dr. Horace Chang

Minister of Water and Housing, Dr. Horace Chang, yesterday (May 1), signed a contract valued at $146.5 million for major infrastructure works to create serviced lots in the Flanker and Providence Heights communities.

The project, to be undertaken by the Ministry of Water and Housing and the National Housing Development Corporation (NHDC), will include the establishment of approximately 1,200 housing lots for both communities, the construction of main access roads, the laying of water mains, installation of a water storage tank for the project, the laying of sewer mains and associated drainage works.

Ashtrom Building Systems Jamaica Limited has been awarded the contract and construction is scheduled to get underway soon and should be completed within nine months.

Addressing participants at the ceremony, held at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Montego Bay, Dr. Chang said the signing signalled a significant and historic moment for the Flanker and Providence Heights communities.

"The Providence Heights Provident Society was one of the first of such societies to be registered in the island in the whole phase of the development of provident societies to initiate upgrading in squatter settlements and urban settlements. Throughout its history, this group has gone through many ups and downs, but notwithstanding, they have persisted and have reached this point today," the Minister said.

"This is the first major contract to be signed by the National Housing Trust in my administration, to upgrade an informal settlement. While I must tell you that there was no systematic planning of it, I could not have been more satisfied to have had this being the first one, because this is what I have been hoping for. The Ministry of Water and Housing will be partnering with the National Housing Trust in providing affordable housing solutions for workers in order to resolve informal settlements and inner city decay. This will be part of the mission of the organization to do so in conjunction with the Housing Trust, to ensure that the humblest worker can find an appropriate shelter," he added.

Dr. Chang pointed out that the Government would be providing housing solutions at all levels for young professionals.

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