New housing estate inaugurated at Takamaka |12 October 2020

President Faure and Minister Charlette unveiling the plaque to inaugurate the new housing estate (Photo: Patrick Joubert)

 The Desaubin Housing Estate in the district of Takamaka is the recent housing estate to be inaugurated by the Ministry of Habitat, Infrastructure and Land Transport.

The 40-unit housing estate, comprising 28 three-bedroom units and 12 two- bedroom units, was inaugurated by President Danny Faure and Minister for Habitat, Lands, Infrastructure and Land Transport Pamela Charlette, who had the honour of unveiling the estate’s commemorative plaque.

Present at the short ceremony were Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon, the Minister for Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, the principal secretary for housing Denis Barbe, the principal secretary for Infrastructure Yves Choppy, the chief executive of the Property Management Corporation (PMC) Evelina Antha, district administrator Delna Larue, other government and district officials, including some of the estate’s new residents. The inauguration of the estate was part of activities to mark Habitat Week.

The housing project, comprising five blocks of three stories, was part of the 24 housing projects in 24 districts (24x 24) by the ministry and it had cost around R35 million. It was built by Mahé Design and Build.

The project, which started in August 2015 and was completed in December 2018, encountered several delays due to pipeline outfall for the sewage treatment plant which required negotiation with private land owners.

To start with in 2015, a two-bedroom unit block was firstly built and allocated to its new residents to make way for the demolition of old temporary houses for continuation of construction phase. It was only after rectifying the sewage problem through negotiations with the private land owners that the ministry was in a position to recently hand the new residents with the keys to their new homes.

On behalf of his fellow residents, Vincent Larue called on the residents to keep the estate clean, free from social ills and to live in harmony with one another.

The Desaubin housing project was funded by the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Patrick Joubert