PUBLIC Infrastructure Minister, David Paterson has indicated that the Ministry, over the next five years, intends to build approximately 4,000 houses in cohesive communities to benefit more than 4,000 households and approximately 16,000 persons.According to the minister, the idea of cohesive communities is to ensure that the shelter and other needs of households are met in an effort to address issues such as availability of day-care facilities, functioning playgrounds proximity to jobs, schools and other amenities that are consistent with improved quality of life in communities.
In the cohesive communities, emphasis would be placed on the provision of social infrastructure and other amenities, in addition to the regular services, such as electricity, roads and water distribution networks.
Minister Keith Scott, who functions within the Ministry of Communities, has been meeting with members of the public on a weekly basis every Wednesday morning in a drive to address their problems.
According to Minister Patterson, a collaborative effort by various ministries will be undertaking several initiatives to address issues impacting the lives of residents, including taking zoning laws to the next level, where adherence to these laws will become the new norm. He noted that infringement of these laws have been conducted with impunity and has contributed to much lawlessness within communities and discomfort to residents.

Among the supporting bodies would be City Hall, Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) across the country.

Enforcement of the laws of the land, or rather, the lack thereof, has long plagued this society and violators are being warned of “tough decisions” by the minister.

According to the minister, “We have to make some tough decisions and the tough decisions will be for the betterment of the country. We can’t allow the transgression of people who did what they did because there is no enforcement to respect the growth and development of the entire country.”

Citizens of the land whose plight in many regards has remained unaddressed by the relevant authorities are reassured that they would have relief at long last.

Relative to the cohesive communities, only working parents can appreciate what such an initiative would mean. That goes double for single parents.

Governments are elected by the people and it is essential that the basic needs of the citizens of the land are met. In this regard Minister Patterson is on the right track.