Story Highlights
- The responsibility to provide housing solutions is not one that is to be taken lightly.
- History records that many administrations have attempted to facilitate this process through the implementation of various programmes and legislative changes.
- This will be accomplished through purposeful planning and implementation of policies, which will drive the sector.
Mr. Speaker, the responsibility to provide housing solutions is not one that is to be taken lightly. History records that many administrations have attempted to facilitate this process through the implementation of various programmes and legislative changes. While their accomplishments and successes have not gone unnoticed, there is still much work to be done. The solutions, Mr. Speaker, go beyond the construction of houses; they encapsulate regularisation of land (e.g. land titling), home improvement, infrastructural development, mortgage financing and urbanisation concerns, among others. It is true that as the population increases the demand for affordable, quality housing goes up.
Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the challenges, but I am not daunted by them. Instead, I am encouraged at the prospects of revitalising the housing sector as we burgeon into a developed state. This will be accomplished through purposeful planning and implementation of policies, which will drive the sector, thereby contributing to the socio-economic fabric of our country. Mr. Speaker, the growth and development of our people cannot be left up to chance. Development of our people is synonymous with growth in the economy. That is why as a Ministry we are committed to the task of providing the solutions, which will in turn facilitate the growth of our people.
Mr. Speaker, provision of a basic need such as shelter can translate into a better society as we curb the social problems and build better communities.
This fiscal year, Mr. Speaker, while we continue on familiar paths, we will realign our policies to reflect one that is synonymous with growth and development. The proposition of providing solutions facilitating growth will be accomplished through fundamental legislative changes and the implementation of programmes and initiatives, which will drive the sector. In this regard, Mr. Speaker, the Ministry will continue its work in the areas of delivery of housing for low and middle income earners; increased public/private partnerships; increased delivery of certificates of titles under the National Land Titling Programme; regularization of squatter settlements and introduction and application of a new National Housing Policy and Implementation Plan.
Allow me now, Mr. Speaker, to give further details on the work of the housing portfolio for the 2015/2016 fiscal year…READ MORE
Download Contribution to the 2015/2016 Sectoral Debate by the Hon. Morais Guy
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