– Residents receptive and supportive despite minor inconveniences

THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has commenced several road work projects in the community of Sophia as part of the Road Network Upgrade and Expansion Programme, CH&PA disclosed in a press release.

On Thursday, Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for housing, Annette Ferguson visited the community to inspect the ongoing works.

Accompanying her were Director of Projects, Omar Narine as well as other technical officers who provided updates on the status of the ongoing developmental project.

The areas visited included Section A-Block X Liliendaal, Section B- Pattensen and Section C- Turkeyen, where works are being done simultaneously. The scope of works includes construction of bridges, culverts, walkways, roads, and concrete drains.

While CH&PA through various contracting firms is executing the works, residents of the communities are being employed and will continue to be employed at different stages of the project.
The IDB and CH&PA have partnered collectively to realise the project under the adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme.

The IDB is financing USD $27 million toward the completion of the project, as the ongoing works spread across Section A-Block X Liliendaal, Section B- Pattensen and Section C-Turkeyen.

This project was first started in 2017 at a consultation workshop arranged by Senior Community Development Officer of CH&PA, Donell Bess-Bascom. Bascom told residents that this programme would see the community benefitting from road and sidewalk construction, streetlight installation and upgrades to community grounds.

Responding to questions posed by the Minister, the Engineers at each site reported that the residents have all been very receptive and supportive of the projects in spite of minor inconveniences caused by the construction process.

However, it was noted that there were a few instances where Engineers and Clerks of Work reported concerns for their safety, given the number of illegal electricity connections in the area.

Nonetheless, the upgrading of approximately 11.055 kilometres of roads to an asphalted concrete surface; the construction of 1.8 kilometres of reinforced concrete drains; the construction of 22.11 kilometres earthen drains; the rehabilitation of 30 kilometres of macro drains; the construction of 2.132 of reinforced concrete walkways; the construction of 82 culverts and eight interlinking bridges is ongoing.

Also expected, is the installation of 2.0 kilometres of solar street lights in and around areas where social facilities are located. Another key component of the project will see some 250 low-income households benefitting from core homes and another 2000 families benefitting from home improvement subsidies.