New housing estate opens in Bel Air district |21 March 2020

Minister Charlette addressing guests and some of the estate’s new residents at the ceremony yesterday (Photos: Thomas Meriton)

A 24-unit housing estate at Ex-Feba, now baptised as the Sans Soucis Housing Estate, located in the district of Bel Air, was officially inaugurated during a brief ceremony yesterday.

The estate’s commemorative plaque was unveiled by President Danny Faure and Minister forHabitat, Lands, Infrastructure, and Land Transport Pamela Charlette.

The ceremony was also attended by the Minister for Family Affairs Mitcy Larue, member of the National Assembly (MNA) for Bel Air Norbert Loizeau, district administrator for Bel Air Alexandrine Zelia as well as a handful of government officials and a few of the estate’s new residents.

Due to the current situation with COVID-19, interactions were minimal and the customary handing over of keys ceremony did not take place.

The estate comprises 16 two-bedroom units and 8 three-bedroom units, separated in three blocks, which have been constructed by Turnkey Construction at a cost of just under R35 million.

The project’s construction kicked off in June 2018 and was completed in February 2020 following numerous delays due to difficult site terrain and weather.

In her speech to mark the occasion yesterday, Minister Charlette noted that the Sans Soucis Housing Estate is the first housing estate built in Bel Air for quite a while.

The district is notoriously known for its land limitations for government housing developments.

Minister Charlette however highlighted that Bel Air expects to further benefit from another batch of housing units in the government’s programme to construct 2500 houses over the next four years.

This was announced in the State-of-the nation address earlier this year and is expected to be financed by the grant from the Indian government and a loan to be repaid by the government of Seychelles.

“Even amid the challenges we are facing, the government remains committed in ensuring that housing applicants’ dream to own their own homes become a reality,” Minister Charlette stated.

“Given that there are many among you who have been waiting for over 10 years to become homeowners, it is our responsibility to assuage your doubts after the long years of waiting. In this difficult time, government must continue to lead and bring comfort to its citizens. We have done exactly this today. The keys in your possessions are so much more than that; they represent an opportunity to shelter and protect your family.”

Minister Charlette further urged the residents to move into their new homes as soon as possible.

Thirty-three-year-old Sheryl Songoire however did not need to be told this twice since she has been waiting for over fifteen years for housing assistance.

“We will be moving in as soon as possible,” Ms Songoire told Seychelles NATION.

She will be moving in her three-bedroom house with her child, mother and sister who has two kids of her own.

“Our housing problem was critical and we even lost patience at one point but we kept persevering because we were in dire need for a house. Recently, we had been struggling a lot and this new home represents less stress for us. It’s a place we can call home, a stable place for my child and nephews. We are extremely happy,” Ms Songoire noted.

A few floors above Ms Songoire, Seychelles NATION met with Roberto Esther and his wife Audrey Esther, who are planning to move their family of five to the Sans Soucis Housing Estate by the end of next week, after having waited for over a decade for their own home.

“I can hardly describe how we feel today. It’s a joyous occasion for us even though we had to go through years of frustration. I grew up in Bel Air and Roberto is originally from Mont Fleuri but even if they had given us somewhere like Anse Boileau we would have accepted because the most important thing is to have our family together,” Mrs Esther stated.

Elsie Pointe